Will a Man Rob God?
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ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return
unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we
robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye
have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he
shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine
cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome
land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:7-12 KJV
A few years into our marriage, my husband decided to stop tithing. He
consented to paying tithes on my income but not on his. Over the next
three years, I received four raises and three nice bonus checks; my
husband received one raise and no bonus. The side-by-side comparison
helped him realize the importance of honoring God with our finances, and
he has tithed willingly ever since.
Astoundingly, statistics tell us that only 4% of Christians tithe! Is
it any wonder, then, that churches and believers alike are hurting
financially? What amazing things could be done in our churches if even
50% of the members tithed! And what amazing things can happen when
Christians stop robbing God and permit Him through our obedience to be
Lord over our personal finances! God says that we are robbing Him when
we do not tithe, and our finances come under a curse.
What is the tithe? It is the first ten percent of your gross income.
You're not doing your church a favor when you tithe, you're giving to
God what is already rightfully His. Tithing is the only place where God
urges us to test Him. He will prove Himself faithful. He'll bring you
as much blessing as you can handle without losing your reliance upon
Him.
The tithe rightfully goes to God's "house" - your local church - to
support the work there. Funds sent to ministries other than the local
church qualify as offerings, not tithes; offerings are always over and
above the tithe.
Tithing requires faith. If you look at your checkbook after the bills
have been paid, there will never be "enough" money to tithe. Satan's
forces will make sure of it. That's why God requires the first tenth.
Ninety percent with God's blessing upon it will go so much further than
100% that's cursed. "Return to me, and I will return to you," says the
LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'..."In tithes and
offerings." (NIV)
Heavenly Father, You are so faithful. You have proven Yourself time and
again, and I stand in awe of Your majesty. I pray for those who desire
to tithe, but struggle with the concept of trusting You so intimately.
Lord, please grant them the courage to step out in faith and obedience,
so that Your hand of blessing may be upon their finances. I thank You
that, as they do, You will rebuke the devourer for their sakes. Thank
You that Your word is forever settled in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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