Read the following Bible verses several times:
Malachi 3:8-10
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows.”
Having read this verse several times, what is God saying to you?
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Answer these questions:
- God accuses the nation of Israel of robbing Him because they are giving tithes and offerings of their produce. By robbing God of tithes and offerings they are also robbing God’s house and leaving it with inadequate food or resources. The Lord then adds that when they rob Him and His house by not tithing, they are also robbing themselves of something…blessings from heaven.
- What are some heavenly blessings people can receive?
- What are ways God can bless us that have nothing to do with His giving us more money?
- Why is it considered “robbing” from God when we don’t tithe and give offerings?
- What is the connection between our giving and God’s house having the resources needed to do God’s work?
- What kind of “tithe” do these verses say we are supposed to give?
- Do you bring the “whole tithe” to God’s house…the church?
- If you don’t bring the “whole tithe” what kind of blessings might you be missing?
After answering these questions, write or verbalize a personal prayer to God.
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Praying for our church:
We are seeking God’s wisdom for dealing with five specific challenges our church is facing.
Today please pray for God’s wisdom in dealing with the following challenge:
- How do we direct more of our resources (people, time, money, events, ministries) to evangelistic efforts that target those in our community who are unchurched and could be assimilated into our family of faith?
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