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Storehouses and Treasures — part 1 of 3 Amplified Bible (unless otherwise specified) From the Lord’s command through the prophet Malachi, we discover numerous truths and applications relevant to both the physical and spiritual realms. “Bring all the tithes—the whole tenth of your income—into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” {Mal 3:10}. First, the tithes were to be personally brought, not sent, to the “the storehouse,” Lord’s specifically designated place. “Bring ye the whole tithe” {Mal 3:10 a ASV}. The tithe consisted of the entire initial ten percent of God-granted increase. Even when governmental leaders also required a portion of each man’s increase, nowhere in Scripture is provision made for decreasing the percentage owed to the Lord. Despite other obligations, the tithe itself was to remain in tact, neither to be determined from the amount left after meeting legislated or even family obligations, nor to be divided among various other “religious” groups, causes, or needs. The tithe, in its entirety, belonged to God, and so it still belongs. Consistent obedience in tithing was guarantee of food in God’s house, as well as an attestation to His faithfulness. So connected were the two that the Lord even challenged His people to prove or test Him. When man robs God, he robs himself. Could not the lack of adequate spiritual food and prophetic revelation within many local congregations be attributed to their withholding of that which is the Lord’s? “Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me…You have withheld your tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation” {Mal 3:8-9}. In return for faithfulness in tithing to the storehouse, the Lord promises fruitfulness and protection. “And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field… And all nations shall call you happy and blessed; for you shall be a land of delight says the Lord of hosts” {Mal 3:11-12a}. For obedience to His Word, the Lord promises numerous blessings, one of which is that He “…shall command the blessing upon you in the storehouse, and in all that you undertake” and that He will “open to you His good treasury” {Deu 28:8a, 12}. How greatly we need Him to “open the windows of heaven” and to “ pour [ us] out a blessing.” How greatly we need His Heaven-sent revelatory insight, knowledge, understanding and wisdom. How desirous He is that we not only seek Him to pour out upon us, but that we offer ourselves to become a poured-out blessing for others, offering them His oil and wine, His balm and refreshing. How critically all this depends upon our moment-to-moment obedience to His Word by His Spirit. To those who are “In Christ,” access to Divine resources is available, for “In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom, [of comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God], and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden” {Col 2:3}. Continually God calls us to Himself: “He puts the deeps in storage places” {Psalm 33:7a}. His Spirit calls to ours that He might impart into us, making us vessels, even spiritual storehouses and dispensers of His truth and love. Deep calls unto deep {Psa 42:7a paraphrase}. His call continues. How will we respond? -Ruth French January Newsletter 2005 | Principle of Giving | Attention Deficit Disorder Pastor's Journal January 2004 | Better Than Gold | Storehouses and Treasures part 1 of 3 |
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