Extravagant Faith (31 Dec)

Verses for the day

• Mal 3:10-11

Thoughts

As I read, I will continue to pray 1 Thess 5:14 and ask God for verses that I can share that will meet these needs in people’s lives. But, for the sake of time, and for the sake of not being long winded, I will only write on one of these. But, I would like to share the reference for the others, so you can look it up yourself. So, today I have my 3 questions, and a reference beside each one that the Lord gave me this morning.  

1. What gift has God reminded me of in this passage? What Spiritual Gift has God given for me to thank Him and praise Him for in worship today? (Rom 1:11)

Malachi 3:10-11

2. What encouraged me in my faith in this passage today? (Rom 1:12)

Malachi 3:6

3. Is there something God is putting his finger on in my life today that needs some work? (Rom 1:13)

Prov 31:29 

Today I’d like to expand on the first one. God’s gift that I can thank him for today. 

Mal 3:10-11 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

It’s like God is baiting us to try and out give Him. “Try it! Put me to the test! Bring your tithes so that there is enough food in my Temple. If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you!  

I don’t think I have ever notice this verse before. Obviously there is an extreme here… and the PNG teaching of, “give, give to God, and watch him fill your pockets up” is not what this is teaching. Rather that God is calling us to trust Him, by giving to His work first, and not worrying about our own needs. Like Jesus taught in Matt 6:33 Seek my kingdom first, and all these things will be given to you.  

I think this can be applied to more than just physical provision of food and clothes. What about my time? What about my energy? The principle that God is teaching here is, invest in me first. Invest your financial resources in my work first, as well as your time, your thoughts, your energy, etc… When you do, then you will never lack!  

Prayer

Father, thank you for the promise that if and when we seek your kingdom first, when we invest our resources of money, time, thinking, energy in you first, when our primary focus is on you, then you promise to provide what we need. 2 Cor 9:6-8 you promise that when we give generously, you will generously provide. But, we have to step out in faith first, and be willing to give even in our poverty, and learn to rest in you, to experience you provide and working through us abundantly above what we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20) 

Father teach us to be extravagant in your investment in you and your work. May you give us a peace that is beyond understanding as we step out and walk by faith.