Last week, as we studied the Bible together, we were reminded that everything good in our lives is a gift from God. It all belongs to Him because He is the creator and sustainer of everything. This includes our money. Everything belongs to Him. As a result, when we give back to Him, we are giving back to Him what belonged to Him all along. As we give back to Him, we are doing two very important things. First, we are expressing gratitude for all He has done for us. Second, we are practicing trust that He will take care of us.
The prophet Malachi urged God’s people to practice generosity toward God in Malachi 3. In this passage of Scripture, God called His people through the prophet Malachi to repent of their sinful lifestyle. Malachi wrote in this passage of Scripture, “’Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me” (verses 7-8). God revealed to His people through Malachi that they had cheated Him without realizing it. We learn how they had cheated God as Malachi continued to give God’s message to His people, saying, “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me” (verse 8). God’s people had been withholding tithes and offerings from Him, and as a result had robbed Him. This was not good news for the Israelites, but because God is gracious, He did not just call out their sin; He also gave them an opportunity to turn back to Him. Instead of robbing Him, God said through the prophet Isaiah, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do…I will open the windows of heaven for you” (verse 10). Yes, God’s people had cheated on Him and robbed Him, but there was still hope. God was willing to give them another chance to obey Him. There was another chance for them to give back to Him. Even more, when they practiced generosity towards God, He promised to take care of them.
What was true for the people of Israel in Malachi 3 is true for us today. If we are not generous toward God, giving back to Him through our tithes and offerings, we are robbing Him. When we give back to Him, He provides for us and takes care of us. God has been so generous toward you, friend. Will you give back to Him? Practicing generosity toward Him is a way of thanking God for all He has given you and exercising your trust in Him that He will take care of you.
Take a few moments to evaluate your generosity toward God. What is going well? What needs improvement? Think of one way you can be generous toward God and commit to taking that step today.
“God, I want to be generous toward You. Help me…”
“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 4 Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
5 “At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
13 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord.
“But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
17 “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
