MALACHI 3:9

“‘You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the entire nation of you!’”

I have had the privilege to travel a good bit the past few years with our ministry, Every Man A Warrior. As I have made friends and ministry partners in these countries, I have often received a parting blessing. Words cannot express how much that has meant to me. I also know that there are others in these countries who are actively cursing our ministry because they are under the influence of the evil one. I had much rather have the blessings.

And so, God speaks again to the people and tells them they are cursed because they are robbing Him of His tithes and offerings. Don’t misunderstand this. God isn’t an irritated and spiteful overlord who demands what is His. No! He wants them to be obedient and give so He can bless them. They are already suffering under this curse through poverty and famine. They are suffering physical want because they have not blessed the Lord with the first fruits of their labor.

APPLICATION

You may be suffering want yourself right now. Ask yourself if you are being obedient to the Lord in giving to Him as He demands. God wants to see us obedient so He can bless us beyond our wildest imaginations. We need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, “so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:6b-7)

God’s cursing His children really is more about withdrawing His hand of blessing. God isn’t floating around on a cloud looking for people to zap with a thunderbolt. When we are disobedient and not walking with Him, we wander outside His umbrella of protection. We open ourselves up to the attacks of the evil one. That applies to any disobedience, not just in being unfaithful in our giving.

First and foremost, God does not need our tithes and offerings. He isn’t dependent on them. He wants you to give in order to receive. He wants you to give out of love for Him so He can bless you so you can give again and again. This is NOT all about money. Don’t forget that. Tomorrow’s verse is one of the most quoted verses out there concerning our tithes. Come back and see what the Lord has for us.

Father, help me to give to others with no expectation of receiving anything back. Your pleasure is all I seek.