Adapted from: Malachi: God of Worship by Dr. Sam Holm
How Offering God Our Best Leads to Abundant Blessings
In a world where material wealth often defines success, the concept of giving away a portion of our hard-earned money can seem counterintuitive. Yet, as Christians, we are called to a higher understanding of wealth and blessings. Malachi 3:6-12 sheds light on the profound truth that offering God our best leads to abundant blessings. We will explore the biblical foundation of this principle, its practical implications, and the transformative power it holds for our lives.
The Biblical Foundation: Malachi's Call to Return
The book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. In Malachi 3:6-12, God calls His people to return to Him by bringing their full tithes into the storehouse. The Israelites had returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, but they were not offering God their best. Instead, they were giving what was left over, and God, through Malachi, rebukes them for robbing Him.
"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you." (Malachi 3:8-9)
God's invitation is clear: "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)
The Principle of First Fruits
The concept of tithing, or giving 10% of our income, is rooted in the principle of first fruits. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to bring the first and best of their harvest to God as an act of worship and trust. This act of giving was not just about meeting the needs of the temple but about acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision.
In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the practice of tithing but calls His followers to even greater generosity. In Luke 6:38, He says, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
The Transformative Power of Giving
Giving is not just a financial transaction; it is a spiritual discipline that transforms our hearts and aligns us with God's purposes. When we give our best to God, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that we trust Him to provide for our needs.
Practical Implications: How to Start Giving Your Best
1. Evaluate Your Heart: Reflect on your attitude towards giving. Are you giving out of guilt, obligation, or a desire to receive more? Or are you giving out of gratitude for God's grace and a desire to honor Him?
2. Start with the Tithe: If you are not already tithing, consider starting with 10% of your income. This act of obedience can be a powerful step of faith and trust in God's provision.
3. Give Cheerfully: God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Find joy in the act of giving, knowing that it is an opportunity to partner with God in His work.
4. Invest in the Kingdom: Look for opportunities to give to causes that align with God's heart. Whether it's supporting your local church, missions, or organizations that serve the needy, your giving can have an eternal impact.
5. Test God's Promise: Malachi 3:10 is the only place in the Bible where God invites us to test Him. Trust that as you give your best, God will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings until there is no more need.
The Joy of Generosity
Offering God our best is not about earning His favor or securing material wealth. It is about aligning our hearts with His, trusting in His provision, and experiencing the joy of generosity. As we give our best to God, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings, not just in material terms but in the richness of a transformed life. Let us embrace the call to give our best, knowing that God desires to bless us beyond measure.
The Biblical Foundation: Malachi's Call to Return
The book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. In Malachi 3:6-12, God calls His people to return to Him by bringing their full tithes into the storehouse. The Israelites had returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, but they were not offering God their best. Instead, they were giving what was left over, and God, through Malachi, rebukes them for robbing Him.
"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you." (Malachi 3:8-9)
God's invitation is clear: "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)
The Principle of First Fruits
The concept of tithing, or giving 10% of our income, is rooted in the principle of first fruits. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to bring the first and best of their harvest to God as an act of worship and trust. This act of giving was not just about meeting the needs of the temple but about acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision.
In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the practice of tithing but calls His followers to even greater generosity. In Luke 6:38, He says, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
The Transformative Power of Giving
Giving is not just a financial transaction; it is a spiritual discipline that transforms our hearts and aligns us with God's purposes. When we give our best to God, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that we trust Him to provide for our needs.
Practical Implications: How to Start Giving Your Best
1. Evaluate Your Heart: Reflect on your attitude towards giving. Are you giving out of guilt, obligation, or a desire to receive more? Or are you giving out of gratitude for God's grace and a desire to honor Him?
2. Start with the Tithe: If you are not already tithing, consider starting with 10% of your income. This act of obedience can be a powerful step of faith and trust in God's provision.
3. Give Cheerfully: God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Find joy in the act of giving, knowing that it is an opportunity to partner with God in His work.
4. Invest in the Kingdom: Look for opportunities to give to causes that align with God's heart. Whether it's supporting your local church, missions, or organizations that serve the needy, your giving can have an eternal impact.
5. Test God's Promise: Malachi 3:10 is the only place in the Bible where God invites us to test Him. Trust that as you give your best, God will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings until there is no more need.
The Joy of Generosity
Offering God our best is not about earning His favor or securing material wealth. It is about aligning our hearts with His, trusting in His provision, and experiencing the joy of generosity. As we give our best to God, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings, not just in material terms but in the richness of a transformed life. Let us embrace the call to give our best, knowing that God desires to bless us beyond measure.
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