Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 17—The Message of Malachi
The reproof and warning and promise of the Lord are given in definite language in Malachi 3:8: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee?” The Lord answers, “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” {CS 82.1}
The Lord of heaven challenges those whom He has supplied with His bounties to prove Him. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” {CS 82.2}
This message has lost none of its force. It is just as fresh in its importance as God’s gifts are fresh and continual. There is no difficulty in understanding our duty in the light of this message, given through God’s holy prophet. We are not left to stumble along in darkness and disobedience. The truth is plainly stated, and it can be clearly understood by all who wish to be honest in the sight of God. A tithe of all our income is the Lord’s. He lays His hand upon that portion which He has specified that we shall return to Him, and says, I allow you to use My bounties after you have laid aside the tenth, and have come before Me with gifts and offerings. {CS 82.3}
The Lord calls for His tithe to be given in to His treasury. Strictly, honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to Him. Besides this, He calls for your gifts and offerings. No one is compelled to present his tithe or his gifts and offerings to the Lord.
God asks us to prove Him. For us to prove God, we are to return that portion He requires of us for His treasury. Once we have done that, His blessing to us will be so large that we will not have enough room to receive it. That is His promise to us, and God’s promises are sure. We are to give strictly, honestly, and faithfully, yet we are not forced to give. We can choose to answer His call and receive blessings so large we could not even imagine, or, we can withhold and be guilty of robbing God. My choice is to remain faithful to God’s requirements. I pray it is your choice as well.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We thank You for the wherewithal to be able to acquire means to provide for our families and ourselves. We pray that as we return the portion You require of us to Your treasury, that You will bless these means to further Your plan of salvation. We pray that You will bless the rest that remains with us, and that it can also be used for a Holy purpose. We thank You for Your
continual blessings when we have proved You as You have asked. We are so grateful for everything You do for us, have done for us, and will continue to do for us, and we thank You in advance for all the blessings to come. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
