Less Than Best
August 2, 2014//
Topics to Dig Into
Malachi
3:10 (NLT) – “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!”
3:10 (NLT) – “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!”
This morning I was challenged by a friend’s
blog called The
Stream’s Edge. Jeanne Doyon explains
that the Israelites were offering the lame and sick lambs as sacrifices to God
instead of the perfect ones. I justify donations
to charity the same way, giving clothing that’s stained or outdated rather than
my favorite jeans. No, there’s no rule
in the Bible that requires us to part with our favorite jeans. But where are we cheating just a little? God demands our first and our best.
blog called The
Stream’s Edge. Jeanne Doyon explains
that the Israelites were offering the lame and sick lambs as sacrifices to God
instead of the perfect ones. I justify donations
to charity the same way, giving clothing that’s stained or outdated rather than
my favorite jeans. No, there’s no rule
in the Bible that requires us to part with our favorite jeans. But where are we cheating just a little? God demands our first and our best.
Why does He make such a demand? God wants us to depend on Him, and not
ourselves. Trust
Him to provide. Right away we think this
is only about money, but I believe it applies to all resources, including our time. God will provide the time to do what He needs
us to do when we obey the first and best command.
ourselves. Trust
Him to provide. Right away we think this
is only about money, but I believe it applies to all resources, including our time. God will provide the time to do what He needs
us to do when we obey the first and best command.
I’m told this verse in Malachi is
the only place that God invites us to test Him.
Remember the commandment ‘do not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Deut
6:16)? Except in this. Lean on His promise to supply your needs and
don’t hold back when serving Him.
the only place that God invites us to test Him.
Remember the commandment ‘do not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Deut
6:16)? Except in this. Lean on His promise to supply your needs and
don’t hold back when serving Him.
How often do I give God less than my best? (click to tweet)
Do
you have a moment to read the context of today’s verse? Click on the scripture reference to link to a
longer portion at Bible Gateway.
you have a moment to read the context of today’s verse? Click on the scripture reference to link to a
longer portion at Bible Gateway.
Do
you need a daily reminder to reflect on God’s Word? Follow me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung or subscribe at Seeds of Scripture to receive an
email with a short bit of scripture to ponder.
you need a daily reminder to reflect on God’s Word? Follow me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung or subscribe at Seeds of Scripture to receive an
email with a short bit of scripture to ponder.
#seedsofscripture
#GodWillProvide #GivingMyAll
@JeanneDoyon
#GodWillProvide #GivingMyAll
@JeanneDoyon
2 Comments
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
Cathy, thanks for your insights on Malachi 3:10. I felt pricked by this verse and felt the need to ask God to help show me areas I am holding back. And, thanks for linking to my blog post also. They tie in nicely!
It was you who inspired me.