In today’s business world we have found ourselves buying many things over the Internet. We find something we want, submit our credit card information (hopefully, on a secure web site), and then wait until what we want is delivered to our door. This is an act of trust and faith on our part. We assume that what we have given money toward will be given to us.
Malachi speaks of another exchange of faith, an exchange between the faithful and God. What are we to do? What does God urge? What does God promise?
This passage speaks of the “tithe.” There are many who are not familiar with the term “tithe.” Simply stated, a tithe is ten percent.
I find it amazing that we will act in faith with businesses yet we do not trust God. We are taught not to test God, not to challenge the Almighty and make Him prove Himself. But this is one place where God actually encourages us to test Him.
God asks us for our tithe, one tenth of what we have. And in return God promises to prove Himself true. If we can offer to God a sacrifice of one tenth He will respond with so much blessing that there will not be room enough in our lives for all the goodness He will pour down on us.
And still there are those who will not take this step of faith. There are many who claim they do not have a tithe. And I wonder how a person can not have one tenth of what they possess. If you have a dollar, the tithe is a dime. If you have $100, the tithe is $10. If you have no money, then no money is asked, but there is always a tithe of your time and talents.
God encourages us to bring Him a Fellowship Offering, a sacrifice to Him, and one in which we will share. The tithe is like that. If we give to God our offerings we are invited into a relationship of blessing, taking part in all the goodness of God’s Kingdom.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Assess your income, your time and your abilities. Are you giving God one tenth of what you have?
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