GIVING

“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?” – 1 Corinthians 9:11

By the late 1880s, A.A. Hyde had become one of Wichita’s wealthiest men. He was a banker but he lost his money when the economy went bust. Hyde tumbled into debt owing more than $100,000.

It was during this low point that Hyde became convinced he needed to tithe to the Lord. Many men have said they consider it dishonest to give God a tenth of their incomes when they were in debt. Mr. Hyde said he agreed with that thought until one day it flashed upon him that God was his first creditor. Then he began to pay God first and all the other creditors were eventually paid in full.

By 1889, Hyde began experimenting with a menthol-based salve that would relieve minor muscle aches and pains. He called it Mentholatum and the product, which is still sold today, made Hyde a fortune. Throughout the rest of his life, A.A. Hyde gave generously to the Lord’s work.

The best investment you can make is financially supporting the pastors and ministers of your church. They work throughout the week to help you grow spiritually; we need to work to support them financially. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to give you wisdom on how best to invest in His work.

“Giving is the thermometer of our love.” – Benjamin R. De Jong

God’s Word: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” – 1 Corinthians 16:2