Editor Blog

Enter into the blessing
Pullout quote: “Try me now in this…” Mal 3:10

I double dog dare ya!

If you pardon my loose interpretation, I believe that is what God says to the believer who does not tithe. In Malachi 3, the author paints a picture of tithing as a first step in repentance -- in turning back to the Lord. The command to tithe is presented in response to the question "How shall we return?"

And then, to the one whose faith has been weak, God offers this tremendous dare – or promise, if you will -- and backs it up with His own Word: "Try me now in this…"
The words remind me of one of those late night television pitchmen-- "try my product!" They, too, often have a guarantee attached with how much you’ll love their work, but they can only promise you your money back.

God offers so much more.

In this passage, God knows exactly who he is talking to -- flesh and blood. He understands the position of the saint who is weak and broken hearted, whose faith has perhaps been exploited, the one who has lost hope. He understands when one of us has been believing lies about Him so long, we don’t even have enough in us to tithe jus to say thank You.

God recognizes that we need a little encouragement to go against our own selfish nature. We need incentives to help our belief that obedience will bring a better reward. So he gives them -- in this case, in quadruplicate.

" If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the Lord of hosts; "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the Lord of hosts. (Mal 3: 10-12 NKJ)

Listen to what God promises: Blessing so abundant you cannot absorb all of it, rebuke against anyone or anything that would destroy what you already have and have worked for, guarantee that what you've already worked for will continue to be fruitful, and recognition from others.

In the Old Testament, tithing had its spiritual application, yes, but it was also practical. The offerings (or some parts of them) provided necessities for the Levites – the one tribe of the 12 that did not receive a tribal land to own. (the Lord Himself was their inheritance).

Today is no different. The church still needs the local support of its members. It has mortgage and electricity bills to pay, programs to fund, materials to buy, and yes, even staff to pay. The money that supports all those things comes from the tithe – the money God promises you are blessed to give.

Is that enough to convince a believer to do what God has already asked?

I don’t know, but I double dog dare ya to try Him and see!