Bring the Whole Tithe into the Storehouse

Date: July 18, 2024

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse in NIV (Malachi 3:10) 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.

L - Listen for God's Voice and pray Heavenly Father, thank You for Your generous promise of blessing. Help us to trust You with our resources and to give faithfully. Open our hearts to understand the joy of giving and the abundance of Your provision. May we experience the fullness of Your blessing as we obey Your word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

E - Explore the History and meaning Malachi was the last prophet of the Old Testament, addressing the Israelites who had returned from exile. They were struggling with their faith and neglecting their responsibilities, including tithing. This verse is God's challenge to the people to trust Him with their finances and a promise of abundant blessing in return.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases

"Whole tithe" - Giving the full amount God requires

"Test me in this" - God's invitation to prove His faithfulness

"Floodgates of heaven" - Imagery of abundant, overflowing blessing

S - Summarize and Share (Savoring God's Promises theme)

What a remarkable promise we have here in today’s verse! This promise is like a gift that keeps on giving. The more we think about it, the more blessings we discover.

You know, sometimes when we think about giving to God, we might feel a bit anxious. We wonder if we'll have enough left for ourselves. But this verse turns that thinking upside down! God is essentially saying, "Go ahead, try Me out in this. See if I won't bless you more than you can handle!"

Let's take a moment to really digest this promise. God, the creator of the universe, is inviting us to test Him. Can you believe it? In most areas of life, testing God isn't a good idea, but here, He's actually encouraging it. It's as if He's so confident in His ability and desire to bless us that He's saying, "Go ahead, give it a try. You won't be disappointed."

And oh, the imagery He uses! He talks about opening the floodgates of heaven. Picture that for a moment. It's not a trickle of blessing or even a steady stream. No, it's a flood! So much blessing that we won't have room to store it all. It's like trying to catch a waterfall in a teacup - the blessings just keep overflowing!

When we truly take in this promise, it changes our whole perspective on giving. Instead of seeing it as a loss or a sacrifice, we start to see it as an investment in God's economy. We begin to understand that our giving isn't just about sustaining the church (though that's important too), but it's an act of trust and obedience that positions us to receive God's overwhelming blessings.

This promise invites us to shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. God is not a miser, carefully doling out blessings in small portions. He's a lavish giver, eager to pour out His goodness on those who trust Him.

Cherish this promise. Hold it close to our hearts and allow it to challenge your thinking about giving. Maybe you've been hesitant to tithe or give generously. Why not take God up on His offer? Test Him in this. Step out in faith and see if He won't open up those floodgates for you.

As I think about this promise of abundance, I’m reminded of the important of remembering that God looks at our hearts more than the amount we give. Jesus highlighted this in the story of the Widow's Mite (Mark 12:41-44). This poor widow gave two small coins, all she had to live on, and Jesus said she gave more than all the rich people who donated large sums. Why? Because she gave sacrificially, trusting God completely with her finances. This reminds us that when it comes to giving, it's not about the amount, but about our faithfulness and trust in God. Whether we have much or little, God honors a giving heart that trusts Him fully.

Remember, this promise isn't just about material blessings (though it can certainly include those). It's about experiencing the fullness of God's provision in every area of our lives. It's about living in the abundance of His love, grace, and favor. That's a promise we can cherish and celebrate every single day!

3 Bible Cross References:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Luke 6:38

Proverbs 3:9-10

Question for the audience: Have you ever experienced God's abundant blessing after stepping out in faith with your giving? Without sharing specific amounts, tell us in a word or short phrase how God showed His faithfulness to you. Let's encourage each other with testimonies of God's provision!