« Stewardship Devotional
Day Fifteen - Outgiving God
Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe… 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 you will not have room enough for it.”
Read
Malachi 3:8-12
Apply
God dares you to trust Him in giving. He doesn’t simply command obedience. He shows us how wildly generous he is, how quick to give out his favor. Then he says: if you belong to me, do likewise. Giving is an adventure that is rewarding beyond your wildest dreams. The joy of trust flows into every area of our life: from finances, to career, to the future, to relationships, to hard times. When we live according to our solid grasp of God’s goodness our whole lives are more free and steadfast. We gain a courage that can withstand trials when we believe that Jesus Christ is committed to fulfilling his plan of redemption in us.
As the late missionary Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.”1 You can never out give God.
- How does this passage address Christians today? How does it address you?
- What are some ways that God has acted in your life following greater commitment to him and greater offering of yourself?
Pray
For a renewed church that hungers to give and that sees God’s remarkable outflow of his favor.
Do
Take God’s dare. Give away at least ten percent of your pre-tax income. See what happens.
1 Jim Elliot quoted in Ronald Blue, “How to Have More Money To Give,” Money for Ministries, edited by Wesley K. Willmer (Victor Books, 1989)
Copyright 1997. Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City