For those established in their work- ing lives, the decision may involve balancing income and expenses, possibly adjusting based on the sea- son. Regardless of how these things are determined, the key is that God has asked for His people to venture out beyond their comfort zone. But why would he push His people be- yond their limits? OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE There is a psychological concept that describes the place where peo- ple learn the most—at the edge of what they are comfortable with. This space is called the zone of proximal development and it is the reason behind why people do slightly dan- gerous things when adjusting to the world around them. It is why people find empowerment and confidence in things such as skateboarding or higher education. It is why parents intuitively speak to their children just above their current level of comprehension, and why parents will withdraw their arms from a toddler–encouraging them to take that extra step. While the term ‘zone of proximal development’ was coined in the 1920s by a psychologist named Ba- gotsky, it has been around in man since creation. God designed us this way! When He asks us to test Him, this puts us in this zone. Spiritual growth is what God desires from His children above all else. People learn the most in the peaks and valleys of their lives (although, arguably, it’s more in the valleys.) Downward slopes certainly teach patience, and upward slopes cultivate gratitude. When things are hard, the only op- tion is to push through and to learn the lessons– especially Humility.
Malachi 3:2-3 states: But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness. Although these verses refer directly to Christ’s second coming, they de- scribe a process of refinement that God uses to purify our character. The trials many experience leading up to God’s Feasts are reminders of Satan’s attempts to distance God’s people from Him. God finds value in testing and purifying His chil- dren before an offering is taken up. Yet another reason why it is import- ant to exercise James’ plea to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2).
LEARNING AND GROWTH As we have seen, the zone of proxi- mal development is a place to learn and develop new skills. But what does this have to do with offerings? Offerings help us develop trust and reliance on God. This is not the only reason Christians give offerings, but it is a real and important one. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap spar- ingly, and he who sows boun- tifully will also reap bounti- fully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all suffi- ciency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever (II Corinthians 9:6-9)
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