TITHING (INSURANCE AND ASSURANCE): Devotion Saturday August 5, 2014

TITHING (INSURANCE AND ASSURANCE): Devotion Saturday August 5, 2014

Text: Malachi 3:11 - 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                  

Memory verse: Malachi 3:11

Tithing is a way of insuring our lives and barring the devourer from coming near us. One of the greatest evil that can befall a farmer is if, after planting, the Lord’s army (Joel 2:25) come visiting and devour everything in the farm. This shows that God can withdraw His protection and we will be prone to attack of the enemies. The devourer as used here means “All kind of devourers; the locusts, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, which though they are in incredible multitudes, yet a rebuke from God will check them all at once, as if they were but one” according to John Wesley Notes.

The devourers mentioned above are connected to farming. Other devourers may be armed robbers, kidnappers, sickness, failure, termination of appointment, failure in business, revocation of contract, etc. These are devourers that God promises to rebuke on our behalf when we are obediently paying our tithe. It means that when we are faithful in paying our tithe, God will prove His faithfulness in keeping the enemies at bay.

Another thing worthy of note in this Malachi 3:11 is assurance of continuous productivity of our farm produce. Outside insurance, God also assures us of regular and constant productivity. This is what tithing does for us. In the case of farmers, I have seen cases where people’s products in the farm were destroyed by rodents, fire and other animals that what they thought would have yielded for them will be eaten by animals. As mark of your obedience and faithfulness, God will bless the land where you cultivate, your business and all you lay your hand will prosper. If you desire to have the insurance and assurance of God, then pay your tithe faithfully and leave the rest for God.

Food for Thought: When we are faithful and obedient to God through our tithes, He keeps the devourers at bay.

Prayer: Almighty God and our Father, as I obediently pay my tithe faithfully, remember your covenant, in respect of paying tithe. Insure me and assure me of your providence and protection.