We read in the Scriptures that there are many different offerings that were brought to God.  We could go on, in the laws or the commandments of giving.  We know that we give according to that which we have, not that which we don’t have.  You see, if you’re making $1,000 a month right now and you’re paying a tithe of $100 a month and you’re giving $10 a month to missions, then if you lose your job, or whatever it is at any particular time, and you’re experiencing no increase—"If I have no income, how much do I tithe?"  Zero.  "But it doesn’t negate my offerings, because I have a heart of thanksgiving to God."  Then the Scripture says we give not in proportion to what we don’t have but what we have, and we give according to that which we’ve purposed in our hearts, for God loves a cheerful giver.

He tells us that if we’re not tithing and we’re not bringing offerings, we are cursed with a curse.  You know, the Bible’s very clear.  It’s stated in another place that you end up with a bag that has holes in it; amen?  You’re cursed with a curse.  "How do I get out from under that curse?"  It's very simple.  Deuteronomy 28 makes it clear.  All you do is begin to obey God, keep His commandments, worship Him, and honor Him, and the curse is broken immediately.  You don’t have to begin to now store up so many good deeds that God will finally begin to fellowship with you and bring you revelation and understanding.  It’s immediate, upon your repentance and your determination.

Somebody here in our midst just the other day was purposing in their heart—they truly got to that place where they purposed in their heart to give the Lord back that which belonged to Him and lost their job the next day.  Sounds just like the enemy, doesn’t it?  “Well, I don’t have anything to tithe.”  But you have offerings.  First offer yourself—“a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is your spiritual service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).  Amen?

I remember hearing a story about some Native Americans.  As we know, they’re probably the most impoverished people in our country.  Isn’t it tragic that those whose land it was are now the most impoverished people among us, and yet other people want reparations and different things?  We’re all visitors here.  I’m just saying that to say this:  in whatever state you find yourself—there was a move of the Spirit of God in this little church, probably 30, 40 of the Indians from the tribe there.  It’s amazing that in this little church, the message that came to them was one on evangelism, a heart for missions, souls to be saved.  The visiting evangelist made an altar call at the end and for those who would like to sacrifice and give things up to the Lord.  Coming into that offering were little bracelets and trinkets.  Some who were very well-off put their turquoise in there.  Finally, a little boy came up and said, “Preacher, I don’t have anything to give.  I have nothing to give.”  The preacher looked at him and was getting ready to comfort him, his broken heart.  Then finally the Spirit of God moved on this little boy, and the offerings were there on the altar that they used to have, just a bench in front in many of those churches.  The Spirit moved on that little boy.  He took that offering plate off the altar and put it on the ground and just stepped in it and said, “This is all I’ve got.  Lord, use me.”  Amen?  And, like the widow, he gave more than all of them put together, because it was not a gift or an offering out of abundance, but an offering that cost something of our necessity, of our very life’s essence, and it all belongs to God.