God’s Challenge
Malachi 3:6–12
“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10 (NIV throughout)

Not merely our money or time, but our whole selves—body, soul, and spirit— are God’s, and therefore we are to honor God wholly with all we are. Paul wrote, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19–20). He said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Rom. 12:1). That is the essence of it. So long as we are thinking legalistically about giving in terms of financial percentages and portions of the week, we will be exactly like the self-righteous sinners of Malachi’s day. We will do little and think it much. We will resent God who, in our judgment, should do more for us. On the other hand, if we give God ourselves as living sacrifices, then the most we give will seem to be little and we will be overwhelmed that God is willing to use us in his service.

Will you try it God’s way? Will you put God to the test? This is what God challenges the people to do in Malachi 3:10–12. The text has four parts.

First, God calls for obedience: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” (v. 10). All spiritual relationships with God start with obedience.

Second, God issues a challenge: “Test me in this” (v. 10).

Third, God accompanies his call and challenge with a promise: “See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit” (vv. 10–11).

Fourth, God speaks of the ultimate result: “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land” (v. 12).

Are you bold enough to accept this challenge personally? Usually we try to shy away from anything as tangible as this, for we are afraid that our faith or testimony will be shaken if we try it and God does not come through. But it is not my idea to put God to the test with obedience. This is God’s challenge. It is God who says, “Test me in this . . . and see . . . ”

Why not obey God in this matter? Why not put God first in the use of your financial resources, your time, above all in what you do with yourself—and see if he will not “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it”?

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.