Robbing God

Think back to the Christmas season. Imagine yourself with your family driving through residential areas at night to admire the Christmas decorations and lights people work so hard on. For the most part, you spend your time driving through the upper-class neighborhoods, where money is no problem for anyone living there. They obviously have so much money they are able to go all out on the lights to attract the most attention during the season. As we look at each house we can tell they have to be a blessed family to have all that they do. It’s just as God said “…But now we call the arrogant blessed...” ~ Malachi 3:15. But I bet if you were to enter through those front doors, of some of the homes, you would come to realize they do have everything they could ever want or need but for some crazy reason, they are still not happy. They don’t feel as blessed as they should be. And for majority of the time it’s because the joy they are looking for in the money they have is not the real joy that they need.

The Lord said “…Return to me, and I will return to you…” ~ Malachi 3:7. Give to God and he will give back to you. Sounds simple. God has provided you with exactly what you need at that given time. For majority of people He has given you a job, a house, a family, and fulfilled several of your wants and desires. For God to be so giving why would you not take the time to give back to show your thanks and appreciation for what He has done for you.

The Lord said “Test me in this 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.” ~ Malachi 3:10. After a statement like this who would not dare try! It’s a tenth of your earnings. God doesn’t need your money, but He does need your commitment to Him. He has provided you with the health and abilities to do what you do to earn money, so give back and thank Him every day for those qualities He has freely given you. “They will be mine in the day when I make up my treasured possessions. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between those who serve God and those who do not.” ~ Malachi 3:17-18. More than earning money, God has placed you in a job (whether you think it’s a “God Glorifying Job” or not) to witness to others and to serve those around you. So don’t rob God by taking the things He has given you. Take time to share what He has given you and glorify our glorious God! You will be blessed!