Kenney was a friendly, likeable guy who owned the local service station. He didn’t have much time for church. Some people didn’t think a guy who sold alcohol and tobacco belonged there anyway. But Kenney was a good mechanic, fair and honest. And he was a good friend.

One day, Kenney noticed my tires and said, “Looks like you’ve worn those tires out. I can make you a good deal.” They were name-brand, all-season tires rated for 48,000 miles, at a very good price. They would do just fine.

Each time I came in for gas, Kenney would ask how my ministry was going, and how his tires were doing (he kept track of the mileage).

"Are you ‘bout ready for a new set of tires?” Kenney asked a year later, knowing we had exceeded the mileage rating. “Why don’t you check them and see?” I said, knowing what he’d find. “Those tires still look brand new,” he exclaimed in amazement.

Finally, after 74,000 miles, I bought another set of tires. “How do you do it?” Kenney asked as he was mounting a tire.

“How do I do what?”

“How do you get so many miles on your tires?”

“Well, Kenny, it’s like this,” I explained, “God and I are in a partnership. In addition to offerings, I give ten percent of everything I make back to Him as He asked. Somehow, and I don’t know how, God makes less money go farther. I guess this time it was tires,” I said with a smile.

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Herald editor.