Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. - Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
This weekend, I had the privilege of hearing an excellent sermon brought by James McDonald on the subject of generosity. What I thought was going to be "just another sermon on tithing" ended up captivating my attention and completely convicting my heart.
Verse 10 says "Bring the FULL tithe into the storehouse..." In other versions, "full tithe" translates into "first fruits". This means the FIRSTS of your income- before taxes, bills and shopping trips. ALL FIRSTS BELONG TO GOD.
So if ALL my firsts belong to God, then that not only means that the firsts of my income are His, but even the first of my day is His; ALL of my firsts belong to Him!
This realization really stirred something up in me because for so long, I've always done my Bible study at night before I went to bed, writing it off with the excuse that I'm just simply not a morning person. But doesn't the God of the Universe deserve to be my first thought at the first of my day?
In Deuteronomy 6, the Law says to bind the Word to your heart, that it may never leave your mind throughout the day. The Jews were required to wear phylacteries as a reminder on their foreheads and on their arms. The Jews had to attach these to themselves every morning before getting out of bed. This morning ritual meant that they could not even get out of bed in the morning without acknowledging the God to whom they belonged. Even though we look at this as a weird and outdated practice, it is such a wise principle. [1]
And then He says this in the second part of Malachi 3:10 "..And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Rarely does the Bible tell us to put God to the test. HOWEVER, put Him to the test in this. He who promised will be faithful! Give Him your FIRST fruits, not your leftovers. I certainly don't want God to give me His leftover blessings. [2]
Waking up before class this morning to study the Word was pretty rough, not going to lie. But I am confident that as I strive to make Him my first priority and give Him the best of all my firsts, He will not disappoint.
Jesus, give me grace to make You my FIRST priority in all things and to judge You as faithful to fulfill your promises!
Working on making Jesus my first, my last AND my in between,
Kayla
[1] - from "Paul: Committed to Memory" by Beth Moore
[2] - James McDonald on Generosity (1/22/12 at Elevation Church)
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