The following passage is the one place where FATHER says to “test HIM” (based on a Hebrew scholar’s research of this particular phrase in the Old Testament). This challenge requires us to have faith in HIS Word.
As I have written in the past, Abraham and Jacob specifically and immediately tithed after their direct encounters with THE LORD. They had the revelation of being blessed through the obedience of tithing. I too can attest to this reality.
FATHER spoke in Malachi chapter 3:
8 “Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the entire nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the LORD of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.
A mature believer will grasp the importance of tithing and will subdue any soulish attitude that tries to rationalize away this test. If we are not fully submitted to walking in the entire Word of GOD, how can we expect to be classified as part of the Remnant? FATHER makes a commitment once we begin tithing:
11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,” says the LORD of armies. 12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of armies.
Would you rather personally deal with the devourer or allow FATHER to deal with the devourer on your behalf? How long will it take to see fruitfulness return (or begin, whichever the case may be)? I can’t tell you but I know it has worked in my family’s finances for decades.
Unexpected opportunities have opened up and provided for us. We no longer pay interest to financial institutions since we are now debt free. Did all this happen immediately as we began to tithe? No, it took time for the seed to grow and begin production. Each of us has a uniqueness about our situation so results cannot be determined by some formula. Faith in FATHER’S Word is the primary criteria.
Did I have to get over the emotions connected to giving when I felt that I needed the money for my family? Yes. Did I try to rationalize why this passage didn’t apply to me? Yes. I had to overcome the soul and respond to THE SPIRIT. At first it was difficult but as I exercised my faith IN HIM, fruitfulness came forth and I observed FATHER rebuking the devourer for my family’s sake.
FATHER wouldn’t ask us to test HIM if HE wasn’t confident of the outcome.