Read: Malachi 1:2; 3:6–12
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, . . . put me to the test, says the Lord of Hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. Malachi 3:10
The primary issue God had with the Israelites in the book of Malachi was that they were not giving their best to God. In fact, they were giving their leftovers, and God was getting disappointed and angry. When people made their annual offering to God, they were to bring a tithe—a full tenth of their produce to the temple—and they were to sacrifice only unblemished livestock at the altar. They were supposed to offer their best to God in honor of all that God had done for them. The Israelite people and their clergy were doing quite the opposite. They were not being generous toward God. God spoke through the prophet Malachi: Return to me, and I will return to you. Bring a full tithe into my house. Test me. I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
God loves you dearly, you are God’s child, and God challenges you to put that love to the test with a tithe. Offer the best of what you have to the Lord. Do not hold back for fear of security. God has so much more in store for you. The blessings of heaven await you!
Are you generous?
Lord, help me to extend myself more freely to You and to those around me. Encourage me to think more deeply instead of thinking first of myself. Guide me down a path of true generosity. I want to be the person You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.