Daily Devotional
Are You Robbing God?
“‘Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘But you said, “In what way shall we return?” Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’”
Malachi 3:7-10
October 24, 2024
Ponder This
When we talk about giving and tithing, we have to remember that God is not raising money; God is growing Christians. God wants us to grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of Him. So, first of all, there must be a personal return. Many of us say, “Well, Lord, if You want me to return, where shall I return?” God says, “I’m glad you asked.” They say in verse 7: “In what way shall we return?” Well, God says, “In tithes and offerings.”
One of the greatest signs that you have returned to God is not the songs you sing; it’s the matters that get to your heart when you stop robbing God. The repentance that does not reach the wallet has really not reached the heart. Many have tried to put things first and God second, but it never works that way. One of the greatest promises in the New Testament is Matthew 6:33. It says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” We often say, “I’ll seek things first, and then if I have time, I’ll seek God.” But that’s backward. Come to God. He will be in charge of adding the rest.
- What is your giving to God like right now? Does it reflect your worship of Him? Explain.
- What would it look like to seek the kingdom of God first in your finances?
Practice This
Look at your budget and assess if your giving reflects your investment in the kingdom of God and pray about how you can seek the kingdom in your spending and giving.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
