You Can't Outgive God

Malachi 3:8-10
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 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.

Giving I admit has always been a sore spot for me. Not because I do not believe in it, but simply because I often think giving becomes something very legalistic. I watched as my parents gave to the Lord and I watched them faithfully give all of my life at home and I absolutely believe in the power of giving and the command to give back to the Lord what is already His. I have never been satisfied in my heart though that giving means only 10%. I realize that this is a good place to start in getting into the habit of worship to our great God. However I also think it is a trap that many fall into thinking that this is all they are required to give. That thinking is absolutely un-biblical and I believe dishonors God. Giving as taught in the new testament is to be out of a cheerful heart and a matter of conviction on the part of God. Another words if God tells you to give more you should be willing to give all that He asks. Example the widow who gave everything she had in worship to God. Even though her amount was much less than the others it was her action that was recognized as true worship. I think today many have fallen prey to the 10% trap and are unwilling to give as the Lord leads them to give. Worship requires my all even in the area of money because the reality is that it is not mine but the Lord's as taught in this passage and by giving I am laying down my life in worship to Him.

Father help me to be faithful in giving as you lead me to give and may I not hold back from you as you have promised to not hold back your blessing if I am faithful to follow after you.