The Six-Month Rule

by Bill Krause
What we do from our heart demonstrates who we really are. It is easy for people to say, “I would give more if only I had more to give.” On the surface, that sounds and looks good. It’s easy to say what we could do, if we were able to, if only we were given a chance.

We need to start by praying and asking God to give us increase. Truly the Lord of the harvest longs to give us increase. It is His nature to multiply and increase. When we ask anything according to His will, God hears us and answers us. So, when we ask for the increase and, as it begins to come in, what do we do with it? Is the increase for a new car, bigger home, dinners out, new clothes? Wait a minute! What happened to that giving we said that we were longing to do?

Let’s take a look at a great way to confirm that we have the heart of the giver - that we really were asking God for more seed to sow and that we do long to give. Behold the Six-Month Rule.

The Six-Month Rule is a way to establish within yourself your true desire to give. We all have received increases in our pay over the course of our lives. The typical response is to get excited about the increase and then plan how we are going to live better as a result of it. We plan 10% for the tithe, a few dollars for offerings, and now that we know what we have left, we can get down to the “serious” stuff. We plot out buying a newer car, dinners out, and vacations - things that are for our own pleasure.

We say we want to give more and we long to do more for God and His Kingdom. We desire to give, but when money comes, we get caught up in our personal lives and taking care of our own needs. We say, “Seek first the Kingdom,” but our desire to live better is greater than our desire to give better.

The Six-Month Rule is a commitment to yourself that all consistent increase will be given to the Kingdom for the first six months, instead of allowing it to be used for your living.

This rule establishes that your need to give outweighs your desire to live. You say, “God, I want to give more.” When more comes in it is totally designated to giving.

Givers exhibit patience and maturity when they are willing to wait to get what they want. By waiting, they stay ahead of the curve and do not overload their ability to pay for what they want. Our having what we want before receiving the means to support it is what has placed us in debt and increased heartache in the past.

Remember that it takes time to become wealthy. Be patient. Do not rush to provide your own needs. Establish the heart of the giver in your life by giving what you could surely use in your life for living. Even though your need may be great, you are establishing the heart of the giver, so when your increase comes, your heart will be established to give.

As you are faithful with a little, you will be given much.