TITHING
(PROVIDING FOR THE CHURCH): Devotion for Thursday August 4, 2016
Text:
Malachi 3: 10a
Memory
verse: Malachi 3:10a - Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may
be food in My house.
God has concern for His church. He didn’t choose
us to abandon us. He wants to bless us always but we must prove our obedience
to His commandment. One of the ways to receive the blessings God has packaged
for us here on earth is to bring in our tithes to the storehouse (One tenth of
what He has blessed us with). This implies providing for the church to meet her
needs and to care for as many as work in the church.
The “storehouse” was a place in the Temple for
storing grain and other food given as tithes. The priests lived off these
gifts. If the temple storehouses were empty, it was the people’s fault and it means
that the priest will be deprived of food to eat. God had already blessed them
with enough to give a little back to Him. On the other hand, some of us are no
longer farmer who could tithe food items. Rather we tithe money which means that
it will go into church account.
The problem Malachi mentioned in 3:7–12 was
the people’s departure from God as reflected by their neglect of tithes and
offerings. They were so concerned about acquiring person wealth. Two annual
tithes were required according to Israelite law; one for the Levites (Lev.
27:30; Num. 18:21), and one to be used in worship at the annual feasts in
Jerusalem (Deut 14:22). We need to give from the plenty that God has given us
in order to support those who serve God by ministering to the spiritual needs
of others. When you starve your priest of physical food, God will also starve
you of spiritual food and blessings. Make provision for your priest and see
what God will do for you. Bring in your tithe to the house of God as He
demanded and there will be food in His house. One thing very certain is that we
do not lose our reward when we faithfully pay our tithes. I am a witness. Try
it from today.
Food
for Thought: Do
you actually understand what tithing means?
Prayer:
God,
grant me the grace to be faithful in paying my tithe as required by law in Jesus
name.
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