Dearly Beloved,

RENEW YOUR GIVING (Part 1)

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food
in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I
will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much
blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent
pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not
cast their fruit,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Then all the nations will
call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the LORD
Almighty" (Malachi 3:10-12, NIV).

This passage is the most popular in the book of Malachi because of its
teaching on tithes. Many stewardship sermons have been preached on
this passage. What made Malachi to challenge the people of Israel to
return to God by being faithful in their tithes and offerings? This
devotional messages is an abridged version of a study on the entire
scriptural principles of giving with Malachi 3:7-12 as focal passage
though the study will not be only on tithes and offerings but on
giving generally, hence the topic.

The people of Israel were accused of disobeying God right from the
days of their forefathers. As much as God tried to bring them to
Himself, they strayed away from Him. God charged them to return unto
Him so that He also would return unto them (see James 4:8-9).
Ironically, the Israelites did not know how to return to God. How
could they, when they did not care to serve Him the right way? Only
those who try to seek God find Him.

If the people did not know the way they had derailed from God, Malachi
was ready to bluntly tell them that they were robbing God. To rob man
is a grave offence in Israel. What a surprise that they were not
robbing men, but God! One would not be surprised that the people of
Israel asked for the ways in which they were robbing God. However,
did they not know?

In his bluntness, Malachi told them that they were robbing God in
their tithes and offerings. He had earlier raised the issue of
profane offering in chapter one. Offerings here referred to the
portions of the general offerings designated for the priests. The
tithe was literally a tenth of all produce and livestock that the
people possessed (Leviticus 27:30, 32). It was to be given to the
Levites, who in turn were to give a tithe of the tithe to the priests
(Numbers 18:21-32). By implication, if the priests were not receiving
offerings and tithes due to them, then they would have to turn to
other means of supporting themselves, thereby neglecting the temple
ministry.

The study will be concluded next week with the New Testament teaching
on giving generally.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)


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_________________________
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
+234 805 515 9591
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will
have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted
in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST
AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV).