Take the tithe test

The Bible records this interesting conversation between God and His people: “‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘But you ask, “How are we to return?” Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How are we robbing you?” In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed’” (vv. 7-12 NIV). In answer to the Israelites’ question, “How can we prove that we have truly returned to you, Lord?” He replied, “By tithing!” Here are three things the Bible says will happen when you give God 10 percent of your income: (1) The windows of heaven will open, and His blessings will pour into your life. (2) It puts a hedge of divine protection around you, your loved ones, and all that concerns you. (3) The people around you will observe and comment on the blessing of God on your life. So, if you haven’t been tithing because times are hard and you’re afraid you won’t be able to make ends meet, God’s challenge to you today is “Test Me in this.”