Giving strengthens our devotion to Christ and frees us to live open-handedly with the gifts God gives us. Join with us as we go deeper and watch as God unleashes His power in your life.
take the faith tithe challenge
Sunday, FEBRUARY 4
The book of Malachi tells us that the people doubted God's love and offered sacrifices to him that were unacceptable - sacrifices that even their governor wouldn't want. "You dishonor my name by your actions... says the Lord."
"I will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross, says the Lord... refining them... so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord."
Lord, forgive us of every thought and action that displeases you. May you purify us as we give to your kingdom work, make our offering acceptable and help us to know you and to trust you with all our heart.
-Amen
blessings of the tithe
#1: "If I will not open you the windows of heaven."
The windows of heaven always deal with revival. The Lord promises to revive every person who obey Him.
(Malachi 3:10)
#2: "And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
God Almighty declares in His Word that the tither will be prosperous-so prosperous, in fact, that there will not be room enough to receive the prosperity and blessings God has in store for the one who obeys Him.
(Malachi 3:10)
#3: "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes."
Rebuke, means "to cripple" or "to paralyze." God Almighty will actually cripple the enemy on your behalf when you tithe. (Malachi 3:11)
#4: "He shall not destroy the fruits of your ground."
The "fruits of your ground" refers to your money. The enemy will not be able to touch your money as a result of your obedience to the Lord in the tithe.
(Malachi 3:11)
#5: "Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."
It is remarkable that in John 15:5, Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." The vine, therefore, means the family, and God gives this amazing promise to the tither when He says that the enemy will not touch your family, if you obey the Lord.
(Malachi 3:11)
#6: "All nations shall call you blessed."
God will bless and prosper you so that the nations of the world will see the blessings of God upon you, In other words, you will be a mighty witness of the power and blessings of God.
(Malachi 3:12)
#7: "Ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts."
Delightsome means, "highly desired." As you obey the Lord with the tithe, God will so highly desire you that He will use you.
(Malachi 3:12)
how do you give?
by tony Evans
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributions to the treasury; for they all put out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." - Mark 12:42-44
In the story of the widow's mite, we see Jesus closely and critically watching people give their offerings. He looked beyond their visible actions and int their hearts. Having observed the widow place her meager but heartfelt offering in the treasury, Jesus made sure the disciples didn't miss seeing the heart of the widow or the lesson that her giving provided.
Most of us would miss watching the widow. Instead, we would be watching the important looking people in the temple, the ones who made large offerings from their ample funds. We would be impressed by how much they gave. WE might even suggest honoring them for their giving or naming a building after them.
But Jesus didn't call the disciples over to see the big givers. He called them over to notice a poor widow who gave less than a penny.
Why did Jesus fix His attention on the widow? Because she gave more. "She, out of her poverty, put in all she owned." while the rich men gave out of their surplus. The rich gave what they had left over. This woman didn't have anything extra; she gave everything she had. Jesus knew this, and He saw her heart.
Remember this: God measures our gift not by its amount, but by our motives.