The 10% Ring

I am always on the lookout for new ideas for my blog posts. Holy Spirit inspires me when I am open and listening. So I do my very best to always be listening. I never know where my next idea will come from.

In a previous post I mentioned that my husband and I watch an older TV show called The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. In the show, they use things that actually happened in Tombstone Arizona during that time in history.

Tombstone had Marshall Wyatt Earp, and a local county sheriff, Johnny Behan, for law enforcement. One of Behan’s duties as Cochise County sheriff was to collect taxes. The taxes were collected on income generated by prostitution, gambling, liquor, and theater. As part of his pay, he took 10 % of all taxes collected. There was a lot of talk in the town about the graft political corruption of Behan. The title of the Ten-Percent Ring was given by the newspaper editors of the Tombstone Epitaph, in 1881. Along with stealing tax funds, the Ten-Percent Ring helped in election fraud, and funding local outlaws, namely the Clanton and McLaury families. Behan was so focused on his ten percent, that he was very soft on crime. Soon after Behan became sheriff, Wyatt and his brothers, Morgan and Virgil, were all became part of the Marshall department.

After the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the murder of Morgan Earp, Behan did nothing to find the killers, but instead put out warrants on Virgil and Wyatt for the killing of the outlaws. On January 31,1882, Behan was arrested for collecting bills totaling $300 twice, and was let off on a technicality. He failed to win re-election, and was later appointed as the warden of Yuma Territorial Prison ,and other various government jobs until his death in 1912.

How funny that someone so corrupt would use the Biblical principle of 10 %.

This year of 2021 has been a year of real growth for me, in being responsive and obedient of what God is asking me to do. I began the year with a 21 day Daniel fast, and each month thereafter, I have also done a 3 day fast. Because Jesus said “when you fast” not “if you fast.” I have been overwhelmed by God’s goodness during these days, and what He is pointing out to me.

This year I also knew I had to quit playing around with tithing. God said, “put me to the test,” so I did. I make sure the first check I write on the first day of the month is 10% of my gross income. The first time I sealed the envelope to my church, I was excited with anticipation to see what God would do. Within two days, I received phone calls from two new clients. Each month became an example of how I am unable to out give God. He keeps proving Himself over and over.

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room to take it all in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord of Hosts.” (Malachi 3:10, 12 [TLB])

I am blessed and sparkling because of my obedience. I have never been more cheerful and at peace.

“But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much to give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others. Yes, God will give much so that you can give away much. So two good things happen as a result of your gifts—those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God. Those you help will be glad not only because of your generous gifts to themselves and others, but they will praise God for this proof that your deeds are as good as your doctrine. And they will pray for you with deep fervor and feeling because of the wonderful grace God has shown through you.” (2 Cor. 9:6-14 [TLB])

So each day when I get to my office, I have committed to get on my knees first thing, and pray for God to give continued success to my company. I pray for the beauty, delight-fullness, and favor of the Lord to be upon me, to come work with me, and to establish our works together, so they will endure. (Based on Ps. 90:17)

First I pray like it all depends on God, then I work hard, like it all depends on me. And He is faithful every day.

“God declares, ‘Yes indeed, it won’t be long now. Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim. One thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for you!’” (Amos 9:13 [MSG])

God has blessed me with fruitful, abundant overflow! And He can do the same for you!

So I want to start a new version of the Ten-Percent Ring, with all of you. A good version, of course. Where we allow God to prove to us how we cannot out give Him. Get excited and cheerful about giving Him your tithe, and you will be blessed and sparkling too! Test Him and see that He is Good. His promises never fail.

© 2021 Fluffy Puppy Publishing All Rights Reserved