I think I am in a desert right now. I am really struggling, and maybe in writing this, looking for a word from the Lord.
I KNOW the Lord is not a sugar daddy, but I also know He meets our needs. The problem is, is that I am struggling financially, and drowning in debt. I am always waiting to lose something more. (We lost our house at the beginning of the year) It is NOT that the Lord doesn't ever do anything for me. I would be a liar if I said that...it is just that recently, I started tithing fully again, and not a few days later, my wife's job did not work out, which was only part time as it was. I felt very let down by God. We needed that money. We are months behind on both our cars, and they call every day. I need to get the cars smogged and registered, and there is no money for that. We need the cars for work and school. I guess I really don't understand. They ARE a need. It was like I was punished for tithing. Maybe because the Lord knows on my next check I will not have enough to give Him a full tithe? (Rent is $800, and I only get 998. or so. I had to take out 3 payday loans awhile back and they cost me $135 per pay check)I am bringing this to my sisters because since you are not involved in the situation you can see things more objectively. Maybe you can hear the Lord a little better in this situation than I am able. I am so tired of the struggle that never seems to end. Of being afraid all the time they will come for one or both of the cars when I am working full time. I don't understand why my wife would lose her job when I placed my trust in God by tithing. And why nothing is happening to relieve the car issue. Can you pray about this and give me some wisdom from the Lord in this?

Blyth my wife and I would disagree on this subject but I say pay your bills first. The Lord will understand. When you feel the Holy Spirit's call to tithe again then do so. There are other ways to tithe that don't involve money.

On a different note I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles. Seems like more than a few of us have been going 'through the wilderness' and many of us have been dealing the financial matters as well. I'm not sure what God is trying to refine in our lives? Perhaps He/She just wants us to be like Job through it all and keep our eyes focused on Him? Maybe He's preparing us for difficult world times ahead? If we can learn to 'get our lives' straight now and learn to keep our eyes 'on Him'. Learning to be like Paul who could always find something to rejoice and praise God about even in the most difficult of circumstances? Perhaps something bigger is going on than just a whole lot of folks going through some very difficult times?

Other than a word of encouragement I can't offer much my dearest friend. Trust me, I hear your pain and empathize with your families’ struggles. Find other avenues to 'tithe'. Your writing has blessed this board. If you were a professional writer (and this board had any money!) you would be paid for such work. Offer your writing ability to God and to God's people as your tithe during this difficult hour of financial need in your life. God honors gifts that come from our heart. Even of greater honor are the gift(s) that bless others. Chin up my friend! There is a sunrise coming!

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."

Blyth,
I think about you and am praying for you everyday Sister. I think Elaine is right. It seems so many of us are going through so much lately, not just finacial. I would pay my bills first, like Elaine suggested, and try to simplyfy as much as possible.

There are no good or permanent jobs in my area, so I juggle as creatively as possible. I garden extensively, which saves me a ton of money throughout the summer and fall. I grow enough to last through the winter. I'm also the Queen of deals up here, and bartering is still an art that works like currency. I'm self employed part of the year and work seasonal in the fall till X'mas. But I network constantly in my community, looking for alternatives to dollars. I know in California it might be way different and much more expensive I'm sure. Do you have public transportation? And is it any cheaper than having Two cars? If you would like to brainstorm with me, contact me by E-mail. I would Love to help you anyway I can.

I'm sorry so much is wearing you guys down. Don't lose Faith Blyth. He sees and will hold you up.

Praying for your relief
ROSE

Your Love for your Wife should be like the Rock of Gibraltar. Though waves beat against it constantly, it can Never be moved.
R.S.



RUTH
16And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. [1] Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
17Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8
6Set me like a Seal upon your Heart, like a Seal upon your arm; for Love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead). Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most Vehement Flame [the very Flame of the Lord]!(3)
7Many waters cannot quench Love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for Love, he would be utterly scorned and despised.



ROSE

The place the LORD provided (one of many things He has done for me...) is about 5 miles out in the country from the closest bus stop. I work 10 miles from home. My wife goes to school 20 miles from home. I have looked at ways to "do it" with one car (although we would end up paying for the cars we lose since they are upside down) and it won't work. We have schedules that do not work together.
I would agree that MANY people are going through a wilderness experience. Having money does not make that go away. Maybe I am fortunate in that I am in a position where I HAVE to depend on the Lord. I KNOW He works in our lives. I have seen it in so many ways. I am just somewhat discouraged in this circumstance. It seems so unfair. This is why I brought it to my sisters. Thanks...keep praying for me!

Blyth, you named your post as LITTLE crisis! I have had similar situations in the past and certainly didn't feel they were little! I remember how depressed I often felt when I realised that there just wasn't enough to get through the month. Well, since I'm still here, I must have, one way or another. So reading your post really made me feel for you. There are so many big questions that there doesn't seem to be an answer to. Like the many Christians around the world who die of starvation. Sometimes it seems like a contradiction to what God has promised.

I would agree that bills should be paid first. In fact, in one of the central European countries where evangelical Christianity is a fairly new thing and where I used to live I heard a different interpretation on tithing. I don't agree with it, but here it is anyway: you first pay all of your NECESSARY bills and then take 10% of what is left! As I said, I don't agree with it, because I for one would have practically nothing to tithe that way! Everything goes that comes in.

I also think that you can use your time as a tithe.

Hope you can hold on to the cars, if you would have to pay for them anyway. Maybe one of you will be able to get some freelance work or something to help in the immeadiate situation, I pray you would.

Blyth, I'm sorry about your situation. And I agree with Elaine, Rose and Bluewings.
I think, it's better to write my experience here.

Personally, I lost my job about 2 years ago (by whistle blowing). Many violence and troubles I had but only I could get was just $9000 for my overdue wages.
I worked that company about 5 years (from 4:00am to 8:00pm) but when I left there, they call me a betrayer.

After that, I decided to change my job completely, so, I bought my computer and started to study about programming. I went to some job interviews but I failed.

For me, last year was a year for change and reconcile to the God. One day, just accidentally I found this site and went into the chat room. And then, I went back to church and join in the brass band.

One day, in church, some guys asked me about my occupation. I said "I'm still jobless and looking for the job." Then other guy said; "You don't need to tithe in here. Just say to God that you don't have any income right now and can't tithe. God can understand. You need to pay your bills first. After you get the job and have income, then you should tithe. But in same time, you need pray and ask; what is the God's will and what is the right work(job) before God's eyes. And ask that; please give me the right job."

I live with my parents. I pay them the cost of living every month. It's about $300 per month (cheaper than rent, anyway).
I had savings. So, I can pay insurance and pension from there but I know it's hard.
I sold some of my instruments which I didn't use past few years. I sold many books and CDs for clean up my room.

Just last month, I found the want ad. And I thought probably, there is no chance for me but maybe this is God given chance... (Because before that, I failed 3 job interviews.)
But I decided to bet it. In same time, I had nothing to lose.

I spent (or wait?) 2 whole years. I know I could do it because I'm living with my parents and it's their home, anyway. But also I had to bear their curses and slanders. (They just can't understand why I don't get any job...)
I know it's hard to bear and I can't say anything about your situation. I used to have many doubts like you have right now. And also I used to read Job and just ask "WHY?" to God.

Keeping in faith is really hard, I found that when I was in trials. And I saw many times, even Christians or even a person have strong faith, have to face the real hard trials.
I don't think, I was out from there. I'm still asking for the reason why we have to encounter these trials. I'm sure maybe I can't find any
answers but I'm still asking sometimes.

Hang in there. And just pray. Even if you can't pray by yourselves, we can pray for you. And that is the reason we are here.
I know and I believe the real prayers sometimes bring us to the miracles.