There may be times in your life when God’s blessings seem few and far between. Where is God when I need Him? The nation of Israel felt that way, but the problem wasn’t with God – it was with them. One of the ways the nation was disobeying God was by taking what rightfully belonged to God for themselves,

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! (Malachi 3:8-9)

The people did not realize that their selfishness was robbing God. God graciously provided for His people and He asked that they would acknowledge Him with their tithes and offerings. God revealed the way that Israel could once again receive His blessings,

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10)

The command was to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse – not a portion, not the leftovers, but the best for God. God challenged His people to test the veracity of His promise of blessing for them. Think about your life – if your money is limited you don’t see how you could possibly give a tenth of your income to God. The paradoxical truth is when you put God first, even when it doesn’t make sense from your point of view, God pours out His blessings.

Our problem is we think our money belongs to us. The reality is, it all belongs to God – even your very life. We are stewards of the resources that God has entrusted to us. The Apostle Paul’s advice to Timothy gives a proper perspective with regard to our resources,

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

John Wesley gave us this practical advice regarding the use of money, “first, gain all you can, and, secondly save all you can, then give all you can.” When you understand that you are a steward and that He owns it all, then you learn not to hold too tightly to earthly treasures. When you lay up treasures in heaven, they pay dividends for all eternity.

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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