Oct. 16, 2013

Malachi 3:   ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

God is talking about tithes and offerings.  The people are robbing Him, He says.  If they will only relinquish their hold on their possessions, the floodgates of His bounty will be revealed.

In Acts, I read about the followers of the early church, Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who sold their property and lied about the price in order to save some of the proceeds for themselves.  Not too surprising, but the outcome surely was. One after the other, they were struck dead.  Guess that money didn't mean much to them at that point.

How do we respond to this?  Should we give more, or is it only prudent to guard our future by holding onto some funds?  Do we deny ourselves material pleasures, or are we serving the greater good of our country by feeding the economy?

Prayer:  Lord, guide me to serve you with my time and my talents, but also with my gifts of money.  I want to be a faithful servant.  I believe that Your blessing will reach me if I do Your will in this matter, as it will in all others.
Amen