Living As If God Exists (Because He Does)预览

TESTING GOD

When God starts off a conversation by explaining why you aren’t being consumed, you know you’re in trouble (Mal 3:6). Israel, as it had done throughout its history, often strayed from following God’s ways. Despite their rebellion, God offers a way of reconciliation: “Return to me and I will return to you” (3:7).

To return, Israel must stop robbing God. In withholding their tithes and offerings, Israel has been holding back what rightfully belongs to God (3:8-9). While often used to assert the need for members of the contemporary church to give a tenth of their wealth as an offering, the message of Micah runs deeper than generosity. When God calls Israel to “bring the full tithe into the storehouse,” He is not simply demanding generous giving. Instead, God desires Israel’s full devotion. They cannot follow the Lord and look for security in material wealth. In giving the full tithe, Israel demonstrates their collective resolve to live according to God’s wisdom and to trust obedience will always yield blessing.

In this context, God tells Israel that if they will test Him by bringing in the full tithe he will reward them by rebuking the devourer and pouring down blessing “until there is no more need” (3:10-11). God will prove that serving the Lord is not in vain as Israel previously claimed (3:14-15), but that there is much profit in following the Lord.

We don’t often think in terms of testing God, but that is just what Malachi 3:6-15 calls us to do. We test God by obeying His commands and trusting that His wisdom will result in blessing. Those blessings may not be material. We cannot assume that we will have health or wealth (cf. Matt 8:20; Lk 9:58; Phil 4:10-13). Yet, by walking according to God’s wisdom, we acknowledge that even if we don’t have all the creature comforts we might desire, the inconveniences and afflictions we face pale in comparison to the glory we will ultimately receive (2 Cor 4:17-18).

Today, test God by obeying Him. Trust Him. Don’t hold back any part of yourself from the Lord. Instead, choose to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you have (Deut 6:5; Mark 12:30; Lk 10:27).