Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Do you believe that?
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Giving God’s blessings.
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God calls people to their thinking about giving.
When it comes to giving, we need to SHIFT our thinking from to .
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If you base your decision to give or not to give based on obligation, you’ll never discover the blessings God intends for you to receive through giving. But if you base your decision to give based on the purpose of blessing God and expressing your love for God, you will receive an abundance of blessing in return.
Supporting Scripture: Malachi 3:7-9 (ESV)
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Supporting Scripture: Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
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The word “tithe” in Hebrew is the word, “Ma ‘aser”, which means .
Supporting Scripture: Genesis 7:11-12 (ESV)
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What are the blessings God promises His people when they give and when they tithe, specifically, with whole-hearted devotion?
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The first blessing is that all of their will be met.
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Supporting Scripture: Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
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Giving blesses us to be shielded from and keeps our hearts with God.
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Supporting Scripture: Luke 12:13-15 (ESV)
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“Pleonexia” means action that are linked to and .
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Giving blesses us to store up treasures in Heaven where they really matter.
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Supporting Scripture: Luke 12:32-34 (ESV)
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Don’t ever trade what is for what is temporary.
Giving blesses us with joy.
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Ask God today to help you view your finances as He does.
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And then ask: how can my giving be more honoring to Him and bring more of His blessing?
Reflecting on Malachi 3:6-10 and the principle of giving that honors God can be a profound exercise. Here are some personal reflection questions to consider:
- Consistency in God’s Character: In Malachi 3:6, God declares, “I the Lord do not change.” How does this attribute of God influence your trust in His promises, including those related to giving?
- Stewardship of Resources: Malachi 3:10 talks about bringing the whole tithe into the storehouse. How do you currently view your financial resources — as entirely your own or as entrusted to you by God? How might this perspective affect your giving?
- Testing God: The passage invites believers to test God in the area of giving and promises blessings in return (Malachi 3:10). How comfortable are you with the idea of testing God in this context? What do you think it means practically to test God with your finances?
- Attitude in Giving: According to Malachi 3:10, God promises to “throw open the floodgates of heaven.” How does your attitude towards giving (whether out of obligation, joy, or a sense of duty) affect your expectation of God’s response?
- Impact on Community: Malachi 3:10 mentions the purpose of abundance in giving: “that there may be food in my house.” How does your giving contribute to the well-being of your community or the advancement of God’s kingdom?
- Challenges in Giving: Have you ever faced challenges or doubts about giving, either due to financial concerns or uncertainties about the impact of your giving? How have you navigated these challenges?
- Personal Growth: Reflecting on your own journey with giving, how have you seen yourself grow spiritually or mature in your understanding of stewardship and generosity?
- Practical Steps: Based on Malachi 3:10, what practical steps can you take to align your giving habits with God’s principles and promises?
- Listening to God’s Voice: How do you discern God’s leading in your giving decisions? What role does prayer and seeking God’s guidance play in your financial stewardship?
- Community Impact: Beyond financial giving, how else can you contribute to your community or church in ways that honor God and demonstrate His love?
These questions are designed to provoke deeper thought and personal introspection on how Malachi 3:6-10 can inform and transform our understanding and practice of giving in a way that honors God.