Offerings: A Tool For Growth Based on Contributions From Peter Schexnayder
but in verse 10, He offers a powerful promise: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the LORD of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the LORD of hosts. These are substantial promises. God is asking His people to test Him—to see if He will not bless them abun- dantly in return. Not only will He provide more, but He will also make the fruits of their labor more easily accessible. Essentially, God is saying ‘Test Me in giving an offering, and see if I won’t give you back more, through your labor while removing obstacles from your way.’ In other words, to remove road- blocks from those receiving it. God commands His people that they must bring something as an offering each Holy Day. Coming empty-handed is not an option (as is stated in Deuter- onomy 16:16.) This test goes beyond simply obedience to the letter of the law thereby implying quantity. God is testing His people to give a little more than what is absolutely com- fortable to give.
Although often simple, what God demands of us is not always easy. There is much more to regular offerings to God than meets the eye. He provides us another tool to develop His holy, righteous character.
A s the spring Holy Days approach, all of God’s people around the world are preparing for their annual offer- ings to God. Since establishment, it is a fundamental understanding that these days must include an offer- ing—but what is the reason behind it? Certainly, there are many reasons one might give an offering, and one of them is the direct command from God to do so. It’s that simple. How- ever, this reason might not seem en- tirely satisfying or comprehensive. Christians, who understand God’s
purpose for mankind—to put off sin and develop holy, righteous charac- ter—have likely been conditioned to look for lessons not only in these Holy Days but also in the acts God commands us to undertake. There is yet another reason why God has given man the opportunity to give
offerings to Him. GOD’S PROMISE
In Malachi 3, leading up to verse 10, God rebukes the people for robbing Him by failing to bring their tithes and offerings. He proclaims a curse upon them for their disobedience,
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