The class I am currently in is "Church Administration and Finances."  I came across a great story that I just have to share.  This is from Stan Toler and Elmer Towns' book Developing a Giving Church:

One day a pastor was summoned to the house of a parishioner who was having financial difficulities.  The pastor counceled him for a while and then stopped.  "Let's have a word of prayer and while I pray, you make a commitment to give one-tenth of your income to the Lord."  Considering his income, the man thought to himself. "That won't be difficult.  That's only $400 a year - only $8 per week."  They prayed, and the man promised to give back 10% to the Lord and to the Lord's work.  Years passed and the man's income greatly increased - to over $100,000 a year.

He called for the pastor once again.  "Pastor, I'd like to be released from that 10% I promised the Lord several years back.  A tenth of my income is now over $10,000 a year, and I have some plans for spending that."

"That's no problem," the preacher replied.  "Let's pray."  As they bowed their heads, the pastor began to pray, "Lord, You know what a problem this increase has been to my brother here.  I'm asking you to reduce his income, perhaps back to the original $4,000, so he'll be able to afford his tithe once again. . . "

"Hold it!" the parishioner shouted.  "That's not quite what I had in mind."  

(That's a great story isn't it. It probably hold far too much truth for all of us.)  Enjoy your day!!!!