December 31 - Material Faithfulness
Many in Malachi’s days looked forward to the day of the Lord but not all can endure the day of His coming. When He comes, he is like a refiner’s fire and like a fullers’ soap. He will refine and purify the Levites so the offerings to the Lord may be accepted. When the Lord comes, He will judge all sins and bears witness against the sorcerers, adulterers, those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the weak and those who do not fear God.
One of the grave sins of Judah was robbing God in their tithes and offerings. As a result, they were cursed with a curse for robbing. The whole nation was doing that. The prophet told the people to bring in the full tithe into the storehouse of God that there may be food in His house. This would not only take away the curse but also act as a test to God to see if He would open the windows of heaven for them and pour down for them a blessing until there is no more need.
As we stop robbing God, God will rebuke the devourer for us so that it will not destroy the fruits of our soil and our vine in the field shall not fail to bear. In the end all the nations will all be blessed. Our country will be called the land of delight. Other than the fifth commandment with a promise of long life and prosperity, tithing also comes with a promise of God’s provision and protection. If you are not tithing to God now, you are under a curse. Remember the curse on man that they will work hard and still can barely make it? Remember the locusts eating away our produce and harvest? Remember the famines and the plagues that take away lives? Those could be curses due to our robbing God in our tithes and offerings.
The New Earth is a picture of God’s provision, with living water coming out of the throne of God, with the tree of life yielding twelve types of fruits for our consumption, with the leaves for the healing of the nations. The Lord will be our light and the throne of the Lamb is right in the midst of the city. There will not be any curses and we shall serve the Lord.
The Lord promises to come back quickly for us. Our prayer is that He may come soon. But in this prayer, we are reminded that we must be faithful to Him in all of our material possessions. Are you giving your tithes and offerings regularly to the house of God? Are you suffering from financial difficulties because of the curse from robbing God? Is money more important to you than doing God’s will? Start tithing now and see how God would open the windows of heaven and pour down His blessings on you. Be in a blessable position and have your buckets ready to receive. Yes, it is definitely more blessed to give than to receive. Begin now to be faithful in your giving to the Lord.
Ps 150:1-6 Mal 3:1-4:6 Rev 22:1-21 Prov 31:25-31