I was reading Malachi (one of my favorites the past few months), and I came across some interesting text:
3:6-10
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, 'How shall we return?' Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
A few thoughts I had while reading this:
-God does not need our money to do his work (but)
-God completely deserves our money (and)
-He considers it robbery when we don't trust him and give back to him (meanwhile)
-He will greatly bless & reward those who step out in faith and obey him in this.
Jesus was always drifting around telling people to
sell what they have,
give to the poor,
simplify,
and live generously.
And God tells us to test him in that. Give away more money than you are comfortable with, donate things you think you need, give away one of your cars, donate your books to schools instead of selling them.
And tithe. If you are not part of a church right now, tithe other places. Think of something that is a ministry in your life and help support it.
A local missionary you know.
An international one you don't.
The Christian radio station you listen to on your way to work.
Your friends that are struggling to pay bills.
The Christian bookstore that's going out of business down your street.
Stick money in an envelope every paycheck and save up to contribute largely to something, or someone. There is always something to tithe to, always places to give. Test the Lord. We all are under the assumption that money is tight. If you really think that, you will be so blown away by what the Lord will do if you obey him in giving away money you don't have.
I want to live like the widow in 1 Kings 17. She was preparing what she thought was her last meal for her and her son. A prophet arrived at her house, asking to be fed. She used the very last of their flour and oil and baked him a cake. Because she stepped out in faith and gave away what the Lord had provided for her in the first place, he rewarded her.
Why is it so hard to live like this?
Just a thought.
