Giving: Begin with Tithe
“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 there will not be room enough to store it.” (Mal 3:10)
During the ongoing Lent season, pray with someone: are you about to give up some discipline you’ve been trying out (regular Bible reading, deeper prayer, speaking in tongues…), or are you about to give up on some prayer request (career advancement, marriage, children, breaking bondages in your life or family), there is power in agreement, and God is inviting you to keep knocking in heaven’s door. Pray with someone or in your cell group, and believe for breakthrough advancement. This will also give you opportunity to confess and be set free from the bonds of sin and guilt – do it, even if you are you are the unsuspected believer, minister, pastor, or trusted spouse. There is healing that can only be unlocked through prayer that is preceded by confession. And finally, prepare for sacramental renewal – by baptism or anointing with oil that we will receive at the end of the Lent season. Enjoy the amnesty and the abundant grace for spiritual progress.
We continue with the series on giving, and here we find Prophet Malachi speaking emphatically about tithe, ‘that there may be food in my house’. We need to be reminded and challenged to keep faithful in this noble discipline, because there is an inherent tendency to relax and give in to selfishness or indifference. The food represents the many needs in the house of God, and these we are privileged to have the opportunity to address by our continued giving. It is true that when Christians have professed to follow Christ, it is proper to give “all” up to him – their property as well as their hearts – indeed it all belongs to Him. The discipline of tithing reminds us of this fact continually. That is why it is that starting point; and being reminded that all we have belongs to God, we are therefore released to contribute even more beyond the tithe.
The prophet names several spiritual blessings that come with tithing. Even before mentioning them, there are numerous testimonies from among people today who have experienced these and much more. Unexplainable blessings of increase follow the faithful giver; protection of our work and enterprises from thieves and devourers is another assured blessing from God when we tithe – remember that there are more spiritual thieves than the physical ones; the physical devourers are many times manifestations of the spiritual robbers. It makes business sense to give up the portion than to lose the whole. It makes sense to be at peace with the remaining portion that to be internally troubled with everything kept on you. Encourage yourself and others to faithfully honour God and enjoy his great blessings.
God bless you!