PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Oct
16

Open the Windows of Heaven

Tim Savage

Scripture

8“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3

Observation

I am guilty of not always putting God first. I am guilty of occasionally calculating my monthly finances and then determining if I can afford to give my tithe before all else. This is a lack of faith on my part, I should know by now that God’s portion comes before anything else, not only because He is worthy, but because He has always provided far and away more than I could ever provide for myself. It’s His promise and He challenges us to accept this promise. “10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!’”

Application

It used to be scary to write that check before I knew that all of my other obligations would be met, but after years of experiencing actual miracles I should not only tithe but over-tithe and bring more in to His storehouse because I’ve learned that I cannot out-give God. It’s impossible. I give and He gives more. I give generously and He gives so much more. I shouldn’t even think twice about my tithe, I shouldn’t question it or have any doubt whatsoever. In fact, I should look forward to it – now that’s a novel idea – I should look forward to the opportunity to give back to God because of His generosity to me. My action step today will be to not just tithe, but to look forward to giving.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgive me when I’ve held back from You. I’m thankful that You continued to bless even when I didn’t. Thank You for the amazing miracles of provision You have given to me and my family, may I, in turn bless others.

In Jesus name,

Amen


Devotions for October 16

Malachi 3,4
Psalms 148
Acts 5

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