Warriors understand that what they invest in service to their fellow soldiers has a way of coming back to them in a positive fashion. When you give yourself to your mission wholeheartedly, you contribute to the success of everyone on the team. You understand that your personal sacrifice is for things that are larger than your own interests—greater causes such as freedom, your homeland, and the safety of your loved ones.
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 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; ‘and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:8-12, NKJV).
In this passage, Malachi wanted to direct his people’s attention to the ultimate cause—serving God with all their hearts. In the Old Testament, the tithe supported the temple and the priests. The tithe was just one way God’s people could give of themselves to Him and participate in His plan to bless them through the generations.
These verses give a picture of the heart attitude of God’s people. They had lost sight of the joy of giving to God and living out their faith through consistent generosity. Far beyond any specific amount of money represented by tithes or offerings, God was reminding the people that their devotion to Him would set their lives on the best possible path.
God calls you to give all of yourself to Him—not just a particular percentage of your paycheck. Commit all that you are and all that you have to God. He, in turn, promises heaven’s resources to meet your needs and the needs of those around you.
The content of this article comes from “The Warrior’s Bible” (2014) and is copyrighted by Life Publishers International. Used with permission.
