March 1
‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty,’ Malachi 3:10a
Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (Go to the Bible passage)
Anyone who has really come to love the Lord Jesus, has come to understand that God - actually - does not ask any real sacrifices of us. In this Bible passage too, no true sacrifice is asked of us. Indeed, Paul says, ‘Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly’.
Who doubts if the seed will sprout, will never sow in faith, but who sows with a trusting heart is eagerly looking forward to the harvest.
Those who think they have achieved something themselves in establishing a certain state of welfare, will not willingly give anything for the kingdom of God. At most they will give something hoping for God’s gratitude and favor, in case eternal life should prove a reality.
But who realizes in wonder that God has blessed him, will give gratefully from the abundance that God has entrusted him with. Whoever gives something for the kingdom of God in awareness of this, does not feel he is sacrificing anything; instead he cannot refrain from showing his love for God by doing this. Whoever sows in this way will most certainly reap a blessing!
Many people who have learned to give in this way - in deep gratitude for the work of the Lord - have found that God answered with great blessings in their personal lives and, through them He blessed others too. Has not God said that if we give Him His share we will lack nothing? ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord.
Those who have never learned to give, live a narrow-minded and unhappy life, but whoever has learned to give generously, will be freed from much materialistic bondage and will experience the freedom and joy of all generosity.

Share This