Malachai 2:10-4:6
Joel 1:1-3:21
Malachi 3:10-12, “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”
Do you remember the shame of being dared to do something as a kid, and then chickening out at the last minute? Well, if it still haunts you to this day, keep reading for a chance to redeem your courage in a lot bigger arena!
There’s something unique about today’s passage. It’s the only time in His Word that God dares us to test Him! That should make us all pause to consider the magnitude of that! However, as profound as it is, we can’t get so hyper-focused on that fact alone that we miss the promise that follows! As the verse continues, God promises that if we’re obedient with the tithe — bringing to Him the first 10% of all we earn — He’ll “…pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Seems like a great deal, doesn’t it? But when it comes to our money, we often get funny. As we pour over our finances and wonder how to make ends meet, tithing can begin to seem one-sided, and it’s easy to question God: “Where’s my storage units full of blessings? All I have is mountains of bills due and debts to pay!” It’s then that we must keep sight of what tithing truly is — obedience to God and trusting Him to not only provide but to fulfill His promise! And most importantly, we can’t forget that everything we have is really His. We’re simply stewards of what God has given us.
Here’s your chance to let that courage shine! Go ahead, test God by either starting to tithe or going beyond in generosity. See if He “will not throw open His floodgates of heaven” and rain down blessing in your life like never before!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me everything I have. Help me to not forget You are the true source of it all. Open my heart to give with joy. I believe in Your promises and choose to walk in obedience to Your commands and the sweet spot of Your blessing. Amen.