A Growing Relationship

.....When God spoke about tithing in the Book of Malachi, He spoke of the practice as it stood at the time, that is, under the law. Yet the living intention behind that law was timeless, and was expressed in the book’s premise:

....."A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?"

(Malachi 1:6)

.....Through Malachi, God gave six examples of how the people has ceased honoring Him, and tithing was the fifth in His series of objections. In other words, the living intention behind our tithing was to reverence God, and the law could never change this (Malachi 3:6). God has always encouraged us to tithe from than attitude of relationship with Him.

......For Christians who have never tithed, a factor of fear may present itself. What if they tithe, and are left without enough? What will they eat? What will they drink? What will they wear? These fears demonstrate that they have not been made perfect in love, nor learned to fully rest in God’s own love (1 John 4:18; 1 Peter 5:6,7). For the Lord knows we have need of these things, and will meet our needs if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:31-33).
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.....Remember that Melchizedek received the tithe, and he blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:1); Remember that God promised to bless those who tithe, and to meet their needs abundantly (Malachi 3:10). For He honors those who honor Him, and He always blesses us in return, as He spoke again through the Psalmist:

....."Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

(Psalm 91:14-16)