Hello ,

Sixty-five-year-old Dianne Gordon worked at VC's Marketplace in Waterford Township but lived in White Lake Township. After her Jeep Liberty broke down, she was forced to commute by foot, which took an hour each way. Gordon, who lives alone, said, "I had no choice. I had to have a positive attitude."

Walking home in late January, Gordon spotted a plastic bag with almost $15,000 in cash—more than enough to purchase a replacement vehicle. But again, she felt she had no choice. "I just looked at it, and I knew it wasn't mine," Gordon said. "I knew what I needed to do."

After contacting the police, Gordon was informed that the money belonged to a couple who'd gotten married earlier that day. And police were understandably moved by her honesty—so much so, the spouse of one of the responding officers set up a GoFundMe account for Gordon.

Stacy Connell said, "As a police officer's wife, I typically hear the bad things, so this was heartwarming. I hoped we could help her get a car since she could have walked into any dealership and used that money." In less than a week, the account swelled to over $60,000.

Gordon said she is stunned by the outpouring of generosity. She said, "I never expected anything like this. I am overwhelmed. I was just doing what I was taught to do."*

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10

Dianne Gordon didn't realize that "doing the right thing" was going to reward her in ways that she couldn't comprehend, and people who claim to follow God but refuse to give back to Him what He claims as His own miss out on blessings that He has promised for all who are faithful.

That doesn't necessarily mean God will bless us financially simply because we obeyed. There are more than just financial blessings for those who choose to be faithful to His invitations. 

Look around you today. Every perfect gift that you enjoy in this life is because of the One Who provided it. Giving back to the One Who is so good to us isn't a matter of us being generous to Him; it's obedience, pure and simple!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word