GOD’s PROMISE of ABUNDANT BLESSING!
October 7
Bible Reading: Malachi Chapters 1-4
GOD’s PROMISE of ABUNDANT BLESSING
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
that there may be food in My house, and try 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 such blessing that
there will not be room enough to receive it." (Mal 3:10)
Under the
Mosaic Law, the Israelites were required to give tithes - a tenth of all their produce
and livestock - to God (or, they could redeem it with money and add a fifth
part). These tithes were in addition to their numerous offerings, and were an
acknowledgment from their part that everything belonged to God and that He was
the Giver of all their possessions. However, in prophet Malachi’s day, the
postexilic Israelites were withholding their tithes and offerings from God (vv.
8–9). Apparently they preferred to keep more for themselves rather than give
what God asked. In doing so, they were not only robbing from God, they were in
effect robbing from the Levites and the poor!
In the Old Testament, the reward for Israelites for tithing faithfully was in God blessing them with material wealth. If they would be faithful with their
tithes, God would bless them with such abundant blessings that there will not
be room enough to receive it (v. 10). God would also deliver the Israelites
from drought, plague, enemies, and locusts, and make them a blessing in the
earth that He had promised their patriarch Abraham (Gen. 12:3).
The New
Testament however teaches believers to give systematically, liberally,
cheerfully, and proportionately as the Lord has prospered them. But no mention
is made of tithing in the New Testament. Rather, the suggestion is that if a
Jew living under law gave a tenth, how much
more should a Christian living under grace give!
Thus our pattern
for giving is characterized by freedom
(2 Cor. 9:6) and responsible planning
(1 Cor. 16:2). Jesus demands more in terms of stewardship than merely the precise compliance with the tithe (Matt.
23:23; Luke 11:42).
The New
Testament teaches us to give
substantially to the Lord. When we do that, our God delights to respond
with gracious provision, especially to meet our essential needs (Matt.
6:25-34).
"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7)
