Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, June 3, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

This is devotional thought number 47 in our devotional series titled, “The Faith I Live By”

“Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

A couple of months ago, we briefly examined this principle of honoring God with our increase from Malachi 3:10-12. Now we have the privilege to cover it again. Repetition deepens the impression.

I have a question. Do you trust God to turn human mathematics on its head to miraculously prosper you? Well, when you dedicate all the resources God has entrusted into your care to Him, and also return a tithe and offering portion for His specific use, the portion you have left will be more effective than 100% that is not dedicated to Him. I told you, God is able to miraculously turn human mathematics on its head.

If you live in an agricultural society, you certainly can appreciate the need to have your food crops survive, be fruitful, be well watered, and be impervious to pests and diseases. Supermarket and GMO crop societies heavily manufacture counterfeit (almost) foods from Frankenstein-like commodities created under a microscope, which makes those who live within them insensitive to our reliance upon God for bountiful harvests.

God encouraged His people to stop robbing Him by withholding tithe and offering. In exchange for their trust, He promised to pour out the richest deluge of heavenly blessings they could imagine. He promised to prosper their fields. He promised supernatural pest control (you do realize nature obeys her God, right?). He promised there would be no loss of crops due to premature spoilage, etc. He promised that these special favors would be so remarkable, all of the surrounding peoples of the world would call them blessed. This is spectacular! Are you being faithful to God with all He has entrusted to you? Are you benefitting from His bountiful blessings? I have literally never heard any preacher or elder go beyond verse 12 of Malachi 3. We need to read further.

The Bible says that there were some haters among God’s so-called people, who refused to believe He was worth following. I am almost ashamed to cite this, but I must. Here it is: “Your words against Me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask: “What have we spoken against You?” You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.”” (Malachi 3:13–15, HCSB). I am fearful to ask, but I must. Are you one of those lying witnesses against God who thinks because of your perception of your circumstances and that of those you consider wicked, that God will not keep His promises? Do you give up the faith when things don’t go as you suppose they should? God forbid.

Notice what the Bible says about those who keep the faith, against all odds: “At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of Hosts, “a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:16–18, HCSB). You faithful people of God, do note that He is watching! He is taking copious notes of your dedication,...