Can we talk? I mean really talk? Nobody getting offended?
It’s been over two years since my last book was published, called “TEST ME: The Malachi Mystery.” Another good title might have been “Why do bad things seem to happen to good people?”
The book of Malachi tells us what to do to ensure the following two good things will happen to us:
1. Provision so much that you cannot contain it all yourself.
2. (As if #1 wasn’t good enough!) Protection from the Devil! Yep, we as believers are promised by God to be provided for and protected in this life and the one to come if we do one thing, HONOR HIM!
Read this scripture:
”’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘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.’” – Malachi 3:10
There it is! And we wonder why junk happens to us?
God says, “I know you don’t believe me but just TRY ME, PROVE ME, TEST ME, and see if I won’t!” You have an opportunity to test God and He’s OK with it! Now, what’s the problem?
Barna Research says that only 4 percent of all self-proclaiming Christians give ten percent or more to their church every year. That means that 96% of people that claim they are saved or claim they are Christians, don’t believe the very bible that says they are saved? I think something is defiantly wrong with this picture.
Some like to argue that this scripture is Old Testament so they don’t “have” to tithe? So what do you do with this New Testament verse?
“But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.” – Luke 16:17
What about this one?
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees? Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” – Matthew 23:33
This verse is in red in my Bible. Jesus the Son of God speaking here in the NEW TESTAMENT saying “YOU should tithe!” As far as I’m concerned, that’s a “Drop The Mic” moment! I don’t need more convincing when The King himself says it like that.
C’mon folks, common sense tells us all that if you’re going to believe John 3:16 because Jesus said it’s the way to receive heaven over hell, then when the same Jesus says, you should tithe, it’s only smart to believe him.
The tithe is 10 percent of our income. We are commanded to support the move of God, as we do not forget to assemble ourselves for the corporate impact of manifesting Christ to a lost and dying world. He gives us breath to breathe, a job to earn a salary and a choice on what to spend that salary on. He is simply asking the question, “Do you appreciate me?” “Will you honor and obey me? Keep 90% of what I’ve blessed you with, but give me back 10% so I can help others to know me like I helped (saved) you.” Give that 10 percent first thing when you get paid to your church. Then hold on because the blessing begins to work immediately. I’ve seen it for years. Test Him!
For those who want to debate, stop right now. Malachi 3:10 was written from God to you, He said to those that do not believe, test me, and try me. You’ve got a free pass. Don’t argue with God, try God! It’s the only place in the bible you get to do this! Remember, I’m not asking for your tithe, that goes to your covering, your church.
Let me hear from you on this topic. Encourage each other. There are no good or bad people; there are obedient and disobedient people. Which shoe fits you?
You can order our new book, TEST ME at testmebook.com
More next week!
GFW
