December 10
Scripture of the day: "'Return to Me, and I will return to you,' says the Lord of hosts. 'But you say, "How shall we return?" 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.'" Malachi 3:7-12
Thought of the day: There are very good principles in these verses for every believer. But be careful in literally applying their conditions and promises. They were given to Israel rather than to the church. The principle of giving to God is applicable to all believers ... as is the warning that not giving is equivalent to robbing God. However, it is an interpretive stretch to say that a 10% tithe is adequate giving ... that the storehouse is the local church ... and that financial prosperity always follows giving.
Challenge of the day: My wife and I were robbed in the Warsaw train station on our first mission trip to Poland. A group of men surrounded, attacked, and robbed her ... and then attacked and robbed me as we entered the train. We were in their country to help ... teaching the Bible and sharing the Gospel. We were there to help them ... and they robbed us. It was offensive and repulsive. However, it is much worse if we rob God. He sent Jesus to save us. It is so very wrong if we then rob Him by withholding our giving. He said, "Return to Me, and I will return to you".
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