Maybe this testimony will help someone else.
This time last year I was unemployed. I'd tithed all year up to the point of giving my last pay check to the church.
We were almost to the point of eviction and we asked the church we had been tithing to; to help us. They did help but wasn't enough to pay the rent.
I got a job a week or so later and got the rent caught up and paid back the monies the church had lent me.
The monies I gave back to the church was sent to China to help underground missionaries there.
I have to confess I had a bad attitude and when I give to feed the hungry I expect not to go without food. When I tithe I expect my needs to be met. When I asked the local church to help and they couldnt even come up with enough to help us with our rent...I had a bad attitude.
I said "God I thought you would send others when I needed help because I'd helped others." Wassup with this?
He said,"2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make ALL grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circimstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation." (amplified)
I took it to mean that sometimes God will use us to bless ourselves.
I heard growing up God helps those that help themselves.
I wasn't even sure it was in the Bible...
Deu 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.
I had a heart to help others but I was disappointed and hurt when I didn't see much of that in return...
God says so is He.
Jam 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
We need to get alone with God and allow Him to show us the directions we are to take. Cast our cares on Him for He cares for us. Leaning not to our own understanding but relying on the one who never changes.
God cares for you. Don't get me wrong I don't give to get but I give expecting if I'm helping others or what I make happen for others God will make happen for me when I need it.
Reap what you sow ... I guess you'd say.