Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:17-18)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Putting God to the test!

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:10)

Have you ever put God to the test?

Giving back to Him is the only area of our spiritual journey where God says we can test Him. If we submit to His directive to tithe, He states that He will pour out so much blessing on our lives that we will not have enough room for it all! He wants us to test Him and see if He is telling us the truth of this verse!

For those of you that are mature believers and have been faithful tithers and givers for a number of years, let me give you an additional challenge: test God further by praying for increased opportunities and blessing so that you can give even more.

Too many believers pray for God's hand of blessing so that they can get more stuff. The mature believer prays for more blessing to be able to give even more back to Him and to His Kingdom.

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4 comments:

  1. You have taken Malachi 3 out of context. You seem as if the test in Malachi 3 is a way we can tempt God or tease and taunt him. All of God's commands are opportunities to prove his ability to fulfill his promises. When you pray to God in the morning to provide and protect, you are testing his faithfulness.

    The tithing promise in Malachi is not unique. Think about it? is tithing the only area that we can test out God's promises?

    Anyways, besides all of that, tithing is not commanded for the new testament Church. The curses or blessings in Malachi 3 have no power over the born again, new covenant, Spirit-led believer.

    - jared b

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  2. Jarab....if you are holding back from God and not tithing, let me know how that is working out for you? You are stealing from God, because everything you have comes from Him ,and He only asks for a small portion back.

    I guaranty you, that if you give your 10% that he will make the remaining 90 go further than the full 100!

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  3. Jarab....if you are holding back from God and not tithing, let me know how that is working out for you? You are stealing from God, because everything you have comes from Him ,and He only asks for a small portion back.

    I guaranty you, that if you give your 10% that he will make the remaining 90 go further than the full 100!

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  4. I believe that the Lord is looking deeper than just finances. He uses examples like this to get to the root of the problem. Israel at the time was giving sacrifices, giving things that seemed right in their own eyes but for getting to give of themselves in humility of heart. When will we stop beating around the bush? when will we have the "audacity" to give everything to God, not just our finances, not just we want to give, but give what is most precious to us i.e. Isaac, and see what God will do. God says TEST ME! When will we get out of the boxes that we have put ourselves into, when will we stop making boxes for God to fit into, when the heavens cant even contain Him? TEST Him! Offer ALL of yourself to Him, ALL of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And see whether or not God will come down and rescue you. You think your are in the depths? God's mercy is bottomless. You think your too stuck in the muddy clay. God is the rock that wont sink and is waiting for you to step out and test Him. God is looking for absolute surrender. God is looking for empty cups to fill. The water wont be turned into wine until the old wine is completely dry. Its time to wrestle. Its time to test. See what God's response will be.

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