S) "10 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.'"
Malachi 3:10 (NASB)
O) This was after the return to Jerusalem, and the people had rebuilt the temple, but they were failing to uphold the statutes and ordinances that the LORD had given them. One such area, was there tithing. At that same time, they were complaining about an apparent futility in serving their God (vv.13-15). God points out that their perceived hardships, and their accusations against God were unfounded, since they were not upholding their side of the Covenant. In the above verse, He reminds them that the blessings are there for the having, if only they will faithfully obey His commands. In fact, in a very, very rare case, we see the LORD inviting the people to test Him (in fact, many times people are reminded and commanded not to test the LORD their God). This really speaks to God's desire to do two things: First, to prove Himself as worthy. Second, to recapture the hearts of His people, where He knew it mattered the most to them.
A) This is, by no definition, a revelation to me as I write this today. However, it is such a significant part of a life of obedience, for any believer, and it is a significant part of my own testimony, that I wanted to record it. When my wife and I had just started going to church together, just getting our feet wet in serving the Lord, we were still struggling significantly in our finances. We were in, way over our heads. The realization that I couldn't live my life apart from God, was the reason I came back to Him in the first place. Even after that initial return, though, I still wasn't allowing Him to be the Lord of my money. I remember clearly, one Sunday morning, this passage came up during a sermon. I was immediately convicted and simultaneously relieved. I realized that, while money was tight and I couldn't afford to pay all of our bills - we couldn't afford not to tithe. I pensively breached the topic with Kristin, and was blessed to hear her agree completely. We started tithing immediately, fully, and God began the process to get us closer and closer to financial freedom (which is a huge topic, and deep definition, that cannot fit here alone). It is still a process, to this day, because it's not like we suddenly became affluent. However, I am no longer ruled by money or a lack thereof. God has proven, over and over, to be Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. And it remains a turning point in my devotion to Him, and a strong portion of my testimony.
P) Father, the grace You have shown me, and all of Your people throughout the Bible, until this very day, it is a grace like no other. You have proven Yourself worthy of my absolute trust. Forgive me, for times when worry has sneaked its way into my heart. Let the Holy Spirit reveal to me, when I have allowed money to become an idol in my heart. I repent of the idolatry that money can, and had become to me. I commit myself to trusting You fully for every provision in my life, Father God. I am committed to tithing in obedience, but also as an act of worship, and a continual proclamation that You alone deserve the worship of my heart. Let Your will be done with my money, and in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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