But First

We find many incredible miracle stories told during the life of the prophet Elijah. One time, there was a drought in the land that lasted several years. God provided food and water for Elijah through ravens and a brook—until the brook eventually ran dry. Then, God told Elijah to go to a new location where a widow would provide for him next.

Little did he know, upon his arrival, the widow had a pretty big need of her own: she had only enough for one final meal before she and her son would die from starvation. Not only did God use the widow to provide for Elijah, but He also used Elijah to provide for the widow. Elijah’s response to the widow was miraculous—but also intriguing. He responded to her need by telling her to feed him first.

“But Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!’ So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.”
—1 Kings 17:13–16 (NLT)

Why would Elijah tell the widow to feed him first? That sounds awfully selfish of him. Gosh, Elijah… aren’t you a gentleman? This woman is about to die, and you're telling her to feed you first?

Here’s the key: the woman’s obedience to Elijah’s command was a test of her faith. Would she believe that God would still provide for her and her son, even if she gave up literally everything? It wasn’t just the best she had to bring—it was the last she had to bring. It was the only thing she had left to provide for her family before they died.

The widow’s obedience to prepare a meal for the prophet first was a huge step of faith—and that faith and obedience preceded her miracle. The widow is someone you and I can learn from, because God has asked us to do the same through the principle of the tithe. Proverbs 3:9–10 says:

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
—Proverbs 3:9–10 (NLT)

Notice Proverbs says the best part of everything we produce—other translations call this the “firstfruits.” Tithing is an act of obedience and trust: when we give God what belongs to Him first, He responds to that faith by providing for our needs. This is such a foundational principle that it’s the only one in Scripture God tells us we can actually test Him on:

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
—Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

Growing up in church, I used to hear pastors preach about tithing when they didn’t have enough, and then receiving checks in the mail for the exact amount they needed to pay their bills. I’m not going to lie—I used to be a little skeptical and wonder if they were just making that up.

Then Matt and I became pastors ourselves.

Starting out in ministry, we didn’t make much and often lived paycheck to paycheck. Still, we believed wholeheartedly what we had been taught about tithing and always stayed faithful with it. One hot summer month, things were extra tight, and we were short of what we needed to pay our electric bill. Long after our taxes were filed for the year, I opened our mailbox—and there was a check from the IRS. We had overpaid our taxes in the spring… for the exact amount, almost to the penny, that we needed for the electric bill.

“So He really does send us ‘checks in the mail,’” I chuckled to myself, tears in my eyes.

Through the years, we’ve seen God come through in incredible ways. One time, someone noticed we were sharing one vehicle before our second child was born, and they gifted our growing family a van! I’m here to tell you that never once have we ever regretted obeying God when He’s put it on our hearts to give—whether through our tithe, or through generosity above that, to others and to missions.

And I know we’re not alone in our story. Our lead pastor from Columbus once challenged the church to try tithing if they never had before. He promised that if anyone tithed and didn’t see God’s provision in their life, he’d give them their money back. He never had to refund a single penny. And the stories that were shared each week? Absolutely incredible.

Let’s go back to 1 Kings 17 and lean in on another important detail. Elijah told the woman:

“There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

And there was.

It was in a time of drought that the Lord put it on the woman’s heart to give. And because of that, during that time of drought, she always had exactly what she needed. That’s what made it miraculous.

It wasn’t that she could afford to give God her best—she couldn’t afford not to.

When I read that, I’m comforted. Because God tells us He will literally do the same thing for us. We may not be in a full-blown drought, but grocery prices—and clothes—and homes—and everything else—are outrageously high right now. So many friends we know personally have taken on extra work in this season where they already feel stretched thin, just to make ends meet. If that’s you, I pray you’re comforted by the widow’s story.

“But what if I don’t tithe?” Friend, it’s never too late to start fresh. Test Him—even this week! I believe you will see God’s miraculous provision in your life as you surrender financial trust to the One who provides for your every need.