WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

                                                             WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

In Psalms 24:1 we read, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” The Lord says in Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me...”  How sad that we humans are not true, to give unto GOD what belongs to Him.  We need to set things right with God. When we fail to render unto God what He has set apart for Him, we truly rob Him!!Let us examine ourselves this day, to see if there is anything that we have withheld from Him.

In Book of Malachi we read that the people have failed to bring the tithes and offerings before God. Tithe is basically a tenth of all the produce. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty even before the time of Moses. In Genesis 14:20, Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. Jacob vowed unto the Lord saying: “.. and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (Gen 28:22) The first Mosaic Law is recorded in Leviticus 27:30-32.

In paying Tithes, we receive God’s blessings. Malachi 3:10 says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouses, and prove me now herewith, says 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.” God blesses the people who pay tithes. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6:38)

Jesus Christ noticed the widow who put money into the treasury. He noticed what Cornelius was giving. He noticed what Israel was not giving. God said that the whole nation of Israel was cursed because they had not given God His due. He surely does notice all that we do.

For those who still think it’s an Old Testament law, I want you to read Mathew 23:23. Jesus did not criticize the Pharisees for paying tithes, He commended them. Jesus said …” You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former”.

We should not forget God owns the entire world and its substance. David the King prays unto God saying “..Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) It is God who gives people the power to obtain wealth. (Eccl: 5:19) So let us cheerfully give unto God the tithes and offerings and thereby enjoy God’s blessings in our lives.                                                                                                       ---------       Dr. Satya Paul