RTW September 23
Am I Robbing God?
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’”
Malachi 3:8
My Takeaways
Something Old
The law of tithing was fulfilled through Christ.
For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (ESV) Matthew 5:17
The act of giving is the Believer’s responsibility and privilege. It’s not our money.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
2 Corinthians 9:6-13
- Give generously.
- Give joyfully.
- Give God the glory.
Something New
You have wearied the LORD with your words. Malachi 2:17
Is it possible that I can weary the Lord?
“God is offended when people accuse Him of injustice.” (Dr. James Boice)
Something to Do
Don’t rob God.
Tithing was an area that I struggled with as a new believer … “WHAT!!!??? I’m supposed to give HOW MUCH??!!??” LOL … But I DID test the Lord and He has been faithful in that I’ve always had enough – more than enough. And yet I find myself now slacking as well… mostly because I haven’t had a church that I attend regularly since I have been moving around a bit. But I’ve found a church to settle in – and will be back to my giving to my local church, praise the Lord!
What stood out to me today was the repetition of refining, refiner, refined in Malachi. One of the definitions in Blue Letter Bible is “to smelt, refine, test (and prove true)…. I am in the midst of a refining of the Lord right now … oh how I want to be tested and proven true ….
Proverbs 11:25 is one of my favorite verses – as someone with a servants heart I was exhausted one day … just wiped out from doing for everyone and not taking care of myself – and a dear friend who has since gone to be with the Lord pointed me to this verse and I have never again felt overwhelmed or exhausted from serving others – because I know the Lord refreshes me and He provides for me.