Scripture Text: Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Malachi 3:10
God commanded His people through the prophets and apostles/disciples to honor the Lord by their giving-offering, and until now this covenant continues through the church.
I praise God for those people who remained faithful about this matter, truly they are honoring God seriously. The more we honor and obey the Lord, the more He is glorified and His blessings flow abundantly and continuously to His people.
However, other people who are dishonoring and robbing God through their giving-offering experience troubles and difficulties in their lives (vv. 8-9). God desires that all people will return their lives to Him with changed and transformed hearts (v. 7b) so that they can enjoy all the favors and blessings coming from Him.
In our modern time, some Christian hearts are focusing on the blessings. Our hearts must focus and be fixed on God through Christ Jesus because He is the BLESSER and GIVER of life—
1. God gave us life generously
2. God sent His Son Jesus Christ and offered His life for us to save us from eternal punishment. That is why we need to value what Jesus did on the cross and we need the Holy Spirit to guard the purity of our hearts; so that when we offer anything to God, all giving-offering is pleasing and acceptable to Him because our hearts are right in His sight.
Now, since our hearts are right towards Him, it is easy for us to give everything to God generously such as our time, spiritual gifts, talents, wealth/money, possessions, resources, services, etc. through our home church as our spiritual family to address and serve the divine purpose in the ministries and in the whole church operation so that the growth of Christ's church will become bigger and bigger and its growth will be faster. This is why God loves those who have obedient hearts—for Him to be glorified.
Reflect
1. What is important to God? Is it your heart or your giving-offering?
2. What is important to you? Is it God or your giving-offering?
3. What if God withholds His blessings from you, will you still honor God by your giving-offering?
4. Does God really need our giving-offering?
5. Why is God, who loves us, a generous Giver?
Remember
- Originally, God is a generous Giver.
- He wants all His children to become a generous giver too!
- He wants us to trust and obey the Lord and give our hearts to Him seriously.
- Jesus owns everything including our life and He loves those who are cheerful and faithful in giving-offering to Him.
...be a generous giver like Him!
Read
Proverbs 3:9,10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Proverbs 11:24-25, 22:9; Galatians 6:7,9; Luke 6:38; Deuteronomy 15:10, 8:12; Exodus 25:1-2; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:32
Pray
Dear God, I appreciate and acknowledge You being my heavenly Father, King, Savior, Blesser, Giver, and Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, thank You for the pattern You made for us on how to become a generous giver. Please help me through Your Holy Spirit to maintain the purity of my heart to avoid sinning against Your Holy Name. Help me also Lord to do only what pleases You and glorifies Your Mighty Name. In Jesus' Name, amen!
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