I Dare You!
My hands trembled as I opened the dental bill that had kept me up at night, wondering how I would ever pay it. I stared in wonder as I read CANCELLED written in bold red letters across it. How did this happen? God had kept His promise. God asks you to trust Him with the tithe (ten percent) of your income. In return, He promises to bless you and meet all your needs.
Malachi 3:10-11 NKJV says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…and try 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 such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit in the field, say the Lord of hosts.”
God says, “I dare you to trust Me!” When you do, He makes two promises… First, He will open heaven’s storehouse of blessing over your life, pouring out more than you can contain. That’s abundance! “You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 MSG) He is the God of abundance, giving above and beyond what we dare to ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of abundance?
Secondly, God promises to rebuke the devourer for your sake. The devourer is anything, or anyone, that threatens to consume your life, your livelihood or your possessions. When you put God first in your finances, He promises to guard all that is yours. God literally builds a protective hedge around your life. Money can’t buy that kind of protection. Jesus said, “First, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33 GWT).
Are you ready to take the dare and trust God with your tithe?
By Pastor Greta King