Pouring Out Blessing

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.”

The Israelites had been instructed for generations to give the first tenth of
all of their harvest and profits as an act of worship to God. As you might
imagine, there were times when their crops did not produce as expected
and resources were limited, that this seemed like a grave sacrifice. Many
families asked themselves how they would ever survive if they gave away
a portion of that for which they had worked so hard! Through His prophet
Malachi, God challenged Israel to put Him to the test. If they would obey
Him, bring the full amount that He required, and trust Him- He would
provide for their needs, and pour out blessing on their families. In the New
Testament church, there are no such 10% commands for us, only the
charge to give willingly, proportionally and cheerfully (II Corinthians 9). Yet,
I believe the challenge to us is the same- “My people, give generously, and
watch Me provide for you in ways you cannot even fathom!” You see, in
every area of our lives, including our money, God calls us to trust Him. He
wants to see us depending on Him for what we need, not on our own
ability to work long hours and make money. Do we need to work hard? Of
course, but we are to do so to honor God, while trusting Him to provide for
us (Colossians 3:23).

-Pastor Mike