Best lesson I ever received in tithing

On this almost 10 year journey since Jesus first collided with my heart I have heard alot of wonderful messages on tithing from many pastors .....today was the best one and it came directly from my friend Murray who thought he was just coming to the mission today for a coffee but Gods plan was so much more than that, but isn't it always.
               Tom and I haven't been to "regular church" "corporate church" whatever people call it for a few months now and although it seems strange on this JESUS FREAK journey I would remove myself from church to "hang out" with our friends at the mission on a Sunday that is exactly where God has placed us right now. I often get asked if I feel like we are missing something, I find God is so great at teaching us right now that the messages we need to hear  on our journey are right down at 349/351 Barton st east in Hamilton. What a strange place to go to and hear the messages you need but for us right now its exactly where He has placed us.....another blog on all of that later. Right now I want to get back to Murray and share with you his wisdom on tithing.
               Murray came in as he always does with much excitement and makes sure you know he is in the room-everyone knows he is there. Murray is loud in voice ,energy and visually with all of his tattoos and piercings and interesting outfits. We love him. Even when its hard...something God says about me everyday. Anyway today he felt it was really important to let me know that he NEEDED to speak to me to day when I wasn't too busy and when the line died down at the coffee I asked what he wanted to talk about. HE said he sat up all night watching a preacher on t.v talk about money and the church, I admit when Murray said that I was a little nervous. Money and the church is most times a touchy subjects for our friends at the  mission and I understand why. I listened more as you need to do with Murray as he described to me who the preacher was and how he began to cry when the preacher said to him "Would you rather give it to God or would you rather the devil steal it?" For many of us we could have watched that and thought this t.v evangelist was preying on vulnerable people to get their money and maybe he was but Murray said he spoke to him and who am I to say different. "Helen he said that we need to do things that are hard sometimes so God can fix us and the things that we hold on to.....so do you guys take a\ tithe at your Sunday thing here at RAW?"
I told him we did and when I saw him tomorrow he could give it to me and i would write it down and give him a receipt-he got upset. "Helen I don't need you to write it down i trust you with Gods money and besides we aren't supposed to give it to get something back like taxes and shit just give it that's what the preacher said. I don't want to wait until tomorrow because I know if I do i will spend it and that's what the devil wants."

                Murray is on a fixed income. I have seen him in times of homelessness and hunger-sometimes his own doing because of his addiction sometimes not but Murray cant easily part with money and I assumed he was about to give me a toonie or loonie, yes i am embarrassed to say I made that assumption. I have an envelope that now holds $40 with Murray's name on it that he wants to give to God because of all that God has done for him. Murray will not benefit from this via a tax receipt or for some bragging rights he just understands what God spoke to him last night through that preacher. He wasn't done there. Murray saw me outside after his coffee sweeping up the cigarette butts and came rushing out."mrs. Norris Mrs.Norris!!!! If Tom sees you sweating he will be mad at me I will clean up out here." So Murray and I talked more together as he helped sweep up cigarette butts and garbage and crack pipes and dog poop. He taught me about God and His love and how he never gave up on him even when he still messes up. He reminded me that we are not going to heaven because of cleaning the street or the money he gave but just because Jesus died for us. I spent an hour with my friend Murray on the street picking up garbage while he preached to me a beautiful sermon on Gods love for me and the importance of giving up my comfort for His plan. " I gave you that money to let God use it and I know he will. If I don't starve the beast in me it will eat me up inside and one way to starve it Helen is to do something hard for God."
                            I do miss "regular" church sometimes but right now I am learning so much in my season away from it from some amazing teachers like my friend Murray. God thank-you for reminding me that wisdom from my friend Sharon "WE are the church. If you listen you can hear God everywhere."