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.
