And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, (Malachi 3:11)
Photo by Magdalena Kula Manchee on unsplash
A pastor and his wife stood at the entrance of the Walmart soliciting donations. They aimed to furnish kids with back to school supplies. After a brief conversation, I sowed a seed, wished them well, and trekked into the store.
While sauntering down the aisle, a display of colorful t-shirts captured my attention. I grabbed every color in my size.
Then, I took a leisurely stroll around the store. I spotted my friend in the checkout line and decided to follow suit.
The line moved faster than I anticipated. When the cashier greeted me, I froze like a deer in headlights. During the whirlwind to seize the shirts, I sat the wallet down but forgot to retrieve it.
My thoughts swirling as I returned to the scene of the transgression. Did someone take the purse? Were the contents missing?
Yet, I said nothing. A few years earlier, I mistakenly left a cell phone charging in a bustling downtown Starbucks. When I realized the phone was not in tow (I had been tutoring for over two hours a few blocks away) I refrained from saying the dreaded. At length, I found the phone still charging in the coffee shop.
This situation presented another opportunity to grow my faith.
As I approached the display, everything looked just the way I left it. And, the stylish black wallet sat prominently on the table.
Thankful, relieved, beaming- I returned to the checkout line.
Once again, the Lord protected me from the devourer.
Upon exiting the store, I shared my testimony with the pastor's wife. She requested that I come to church and speak to their congregation.
Unfortunately, tithing is tremendously misunderstood among members of the Body of Christ - I learned about tithing growing up in the church. One camp argues that tithing is not required, and the other camp argues that they are unable to do so. In any event, I cannot afford not to.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:10-11).
Aside from laying the foundation for a blessing, the tithe (10% of your gross earnings) shields the 90% leftover. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:(John 10:10) The scoundrel steals your money, your family, and your health.
Because I tithe in faith - on everything that comes into my hand- God protects me from anything that attempts to devour me or my finances. Devour means to destroy, consume, or waste (American Heritage Dictionary).
Stop letting the enemy devour you the way a lion eats his prey. Take time to understand what the Word says concerning the matter.
Below are links to teachings on tithing:
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