Submit 3

Malachi 3:10

One of my favorite comedy routines is from Mitch Hedberg (now deceased). He talked about buying a donut and having the clerk try to give him a receipt. He said that he couldn’t imagine the circumstances in which he would need to prove to someone that he owned the donut.

There are many things in life that we may approach with doubts and skepticism, things for which we may want a guarantee, and often chief among them is anything to do with money. We are often of the belief that we should not test God. We should not make God prove His existence or His love. Yet this passage in Malachi has an invitation from God to do just that.

What does God ask for? What is the purpose? What will we receive if we give to God?

Many people may not be familiar with the concept of the “tithe.” Simply, a tithe is a gift to God of ten percent. We are called by God in the Old Testament to give God ten percent of what we have received. If we are paid $10,000 we should give one tenth to God - $1,000.

Some will point out that this is an Old Testament requirement and that we don’t obey all the rules of the Old Testament. This is true, but many faithful believers still adhere to this command from God. I offer a tithe because I feel in my heart that I should, and it makes the math so much simpler in my giving.

Whether we give a full ten percent or not we are called to make offerings to God and God’s work (the church) from our finances. No matter how much or how little our giving is there will be times when we may feel uncomfortable sacrificing some of our money. Giving up even a small amount of our income can bring about fears and doubts.

But God challenges us to make Him prove Himself. If we will have the faith to give God a portion of our money God will respond with extreme blessings. In God’s own words the blessings will be so abundant that we will not have room for it all. This is an invitation from God. We are challenged to find the proof of God’s faith. The question is, do we have the faith to give to God?

DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you make God prove His faithfulness and pour out blessings on you?

Fellowship 5

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I have never really cared for gift exchanges at work. I don’t like having to buy a present for someone I don’t know that well, especially a gift that is usually at a dollar value set fairly low. What can you get someone for $5 now days?

I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I also don’t like getting gifts from co-workers in these gift exchanges. After all, they are simply giving a gift under the dollar limit, a present to a stranger, a gift that is pretty much impersonal and pointless. “I got everyone a coffee mug!”

Our gifts need to come from our heart. Our presents need to be offered with love. What we give God should be presented with a willing heart and true desire to honor Him.

Still addressing the church in Corinth, Paul has more to say about giving. What does he say about sowing and reaping? What is God’s attitude?

We have learned to trust in God and rely completely on Him. It is my desire to tithe to God. Therefore, my family and I contribute 10 percent to the church every pay period, and often exceed this amount through incidental offerings throughout the weeks. I have decided in my heart this is what needs to be given, and I give it willingly and not under compulsion.

Others do not feel they can spare 10 percent. Because of uncertain incomes presenting a tithe is not always practical to many people. Is that okay?

In many ways, yes, it is okay to give to God whatever you choose. Others may insist that anything less than a tithe is a sin, but this passage deals less with amounts and more with attitudes (My whole theology and faith centers more on attitude than anything else).

It is up to each of us how much we give to God. Our offerings to God should not be like those given at office gift exchanges. Our offerings to God should be given with a cheerful heart. If we choose to give sparingly, to sow sparingly, to do only a little for God, then we will reap sparingly. Our blessings will be small.

When we give in faith and we give generously – and also with a heart and attitude of devotion and love – we will be reap abundantly. The windows of heaven will be opened to cover us in blessings.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Be honest – what is your attitude in giving? Are you faithful enough to take a risk and give more?

Management 1

Deuteronomy 14:22

Our current Bible study is examining how to manage money and how to deal with money in Biblical ways. At the outset of the study the author points out that there are more than 2,000 verses in the Bible that talk about money. One of the earliest comments on money is this one in Deuteronomy.

A fairly simple statement, it has deeper meanings. What is the command? What is the purpose?

If we will be successful in life we will probably do much better if we can learn to manage our money. That involves deciding how much goes to what and when it gets paid. Deuteronomy 14:22 makes it clear that we should give to God first.

Most people are familiar with the expression “I have too much month left at the end of the money” when it comes to finances. I imagine that many people also take the approach that they will give to the church or any other charity IF they have any money left over. However, this is not supposed to be our attitude.

An emphasis on offering the tithe to God should not be the church being greedy, wanting its slice of the pie before any money gets spent. The emphasis from God is that the tithe – ten percent – is supposed to honor God.

The tithe is to be taken out first, before you begin paying other bills and spending money on other needs. By setting aside this tenth of your belongings, or income, you are offering praise and respect to God. You are also being reminded that all things come from God. It all belongs to Him, He just wants ten percent back as an expression of gratitude.

Honoring God should not be an afterthought. Your relationship and praise of God should not be something that you do if you have time for it. It should be foremost in your heart and mind. God should be foremost in your life.

I know from experience that setting aside the first ten percent before beginning to deal with creditors, groceries, car payments and incidental costs can be a frightening thing. But I also know from experience that God provides for our needs and we make it through every week.

DAILY CHALLENGE: If you do not already tithe – giving ten percent of your income – you are challenged to begin doing that now. On payday set aside the cash or write the check first, before spending any money elsewhere. God has challenged us in Malachi 3:10 to test His abilities. I challenge you to let God prove His ability to provide for you.