Today’s Reading: Malachi 3:7-12
Today’s Verse: 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 KJV
We all can struggle when it comes to making certain decisions.
We know there is a difference between what we want, and what is best.
When we decide to follow Jesus, we come to know what is true.
No longer letting how we feel and our emotions control how we do things.
God had already promised that He would protect us.
That He would supply all our needs when we followed His commands.
One area is in our finances.
Understanding what the Bible says about money is important.
Do we choose the truth, or do we allow our feelings to determine what we do?
The Old Testament speaks about tithing.
The word Tithe comes from the Hebrew translation which means “ten.”
Which means we are to give ten percent (10%) of our earnings.
We are to give the first portion of our income into God’s storehouse.
Malachi 3:10 KJV says, “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.”
The church in which we are a member is His storehouse.
As a believer, even if you are not a member of a church, you can still give it to the church He has placed on your heart to give.
We all need to acknowledge what He says
We all need to follow His command.
We do not want to be the believer that finds it easy to give God one penny out of dime.
But when the number grows bigger – say 100 out of 1,000 or 1,000 from 10,000 – we forget to tithe.
We cannot expect the Lord to bless us financially when we are not supporting His work.
The New Testament does not give a direct order to tithe.
It does speak of the importance of giving generously and cheerfully.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV).
Tithes and offerings.
They are the key to financial blessings.
They support the missions that God has for us.
Sharing the gospel is both a spiritual and financial responsibility.
Many great ministries would be unable to serve others if financial support were not available.
We all have a prat to play.
When we refuse to give our portion, we block the flow of God’s blessings.
We all have the need for a blessing.
Trust in His provisions.
Trust that as we give, we will be blessed.
God has promised us protection and plenty if we follow His directions.
Give the Lord what He is due.
He told us, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38 KJV).
We would have to want for nothing.
Knowing that what we give is helping encourage the lives of others should bring great joy.
Encouraging us to continue to obey His commands.
His commands always come with great benefits.
He will open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing.
A blessing so great that we will not have enough room to receive it.
Blessings that will make us want to give more.
Be the one to help Him meet this goal.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we know that You must be served in the first place. The blessings of our souls are to be desired before that of our bodies. Let us remain steadfast in bringing our tithes to the storehouse. We know it helps in completing the Lord’s work throughout the world. Giving support to the needs of others. Praying that the love they feel from You will draw them closer to You. That they will give their lives to You. Also knowing that our giving is the key to financial blessings. Let us be obedient to Your Word. Thank You for all the blessings You give us.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen