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| Robbing God |
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| ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.’ Malachi 3: 10 |
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This verse follows the Lord’s accusation against his people,
that they had turned from him. They asked, ‘How are we to
return?’ His answer went to the point. ‘Will a man rob God?
Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes
and offerings. You are under a curse … because you are
robbing me.’ (Malachi 3: 7–9) |
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Israel’s history at that time tells us that you cannot just live as
you like and still expect God’s blessing. Their conditions
improved when they followed God’s commandments, but got
worse when they turned away to worship idols. This lack of
commitment was shown by their failure to tithe, and was why
he said they were accursed. The solution was to bring him his
full dues. |
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| Today some people find tithing natural to them, even the
minimum to aim at, whilst others claim that it was for Old
Testament times only. Doesn’t that suggest that God’s promise
to those who give is not valid today? If you are not
experiencing God’s blessing on your life, consider whether,
like Israel, you have forgotten to give God the things that are
God’s. |
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Jesus once watched rich people putting large sums of money
into the treasury. A poor widow gave two copper coins and he
commented to his disciples that she had put in more than
anyone else. ‘They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of
her poverty, put in everything – all that she had to live on.’
(Mark 12: 43–44) God does not look at the size of the gift, but
at the heart. A right relationship with him, and the right
attitude as we give, will lead us to experience his blessing. |
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Read: Matthew 22: 18–23; 2 Corinthians 8: 1–15. |
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EAJ |
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