May 28
The Joy
of the Tithe
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Daily Steps
Financial anxiety can be overcome by submitting to God's financial principle of tithing (giving ten percent of your income). This verse provides the new believer with a radical source of peace: the command to tithe comes with an explicit invitation to test God in His promise of abundant provision.
The peace in this practice is found in divine challenge and promise:
The Command of Trust: The instruction is to "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse." This is the ultimate act of faith in your finances, acknowledging God's ownership and provision over the remaining ninety percent. It is the spiritual discipline that breaks the love of money (Day 147).
The Divine Challenge: God says, "Test me in this." This is one of the few places in Scripture where God explicitly invites us to test His faithfulness. He essentially challenges the new believer to put His promise of provision to the proof.
The Guaranteed Blessing: The promised result is abundant, overflowing provision: "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." The peace comes from realizing that you cannot out-give God; He guarantees to return your faithfulness with a blessing that exceeds your needs.
Your financial peace is secured by the joyful act of tithing. By giving God His promised portion first, you anchor your heart in His sovereign provision and eliminate the fear that giving will lead to lack.
Reflective Question
If you have been holding back on tithing out of fear of lack, how can you accept God's challenge to "Test me in this" today? What single step can you take to prioritize the whole tithe and claim the promised overflowing blessing of peace and provision?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my fear that giving will lead to shortage. I thank You for Your radical invitation to test You in this. I choose today to obey the command and bring the whole tithe into Your house. I pray that You will open the floodgates of heaven and secure my peace in the reality of Your abundant and overflowing provision. Amen.
