Day 71 – Guilty of theft (Malachi)

One might say that I have a problem with money.  If you look at how much time I spend attending to financial matters, it would clearly be on the list of priorities.  I count it, store it, spend it, invest it, report it, and share it.  Edward, just so you know, I don’t hide it, so there’s no stash to whisk you off on a fancy vacation, surprise you with a big screen TV, or lavish you with jewels.  I have, however, stolen it from God.  More than once, I confess.

“Will man rob God, Yet you are robbing me.  But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.” (Malachi 3:8)  God couldn’t be any more plain than that.  The tithe, 10% of our income, is rightfully God’s money.  He doesn’t owe us an explanation of what He uses it for, but He shares that with us anyway.  “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” (3:10)  The tithe is to provide for the priests and God’s house, the temple.  Today, the tithe provides for many of the luxuries we enjoy at church like Bible study curriculum, multimedia presentations, guest speakers, children’s crafts and events, and many, many other tools to support our spiritual growth.

My failure to tithe has always been motivated by fear.  Since I am the one responsible for managing our family finances, I know how much income is needed to meet our expenses.  When an expense comes or income is lost, it can drastically shift our financial balance.  God has a response, though.  “And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if [tithing] will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (3:10)  When I left my full-time social work position to teach online, we were tithing faithfully, but I knew that Edward’s short-term disability check and my teaching income were not sufficient to meet our needs.  I didn’t think of it as testing God but rather trusting God.  Indeed, I can attest that God not only met our needs but several “wants”, as well.

My prayer today:

God, you’ve been faithful to me in every way.  Thank you for giving me the reassurance to take a leap of faith and experience you catching me.  Help me to trust you in everything, with everything – not just financially.  Forgive me, Lord, for those periods when I robbed you of the full tithe.  Thank you for a husband who didn’t judge me but would nudge me to tithe.  Lord, thank you for my church, and I ask that you bless my church to have the resources necessary to reach the lost in my community. Amen

Add a comment July 29, 2010