| Subject: Malachi 3:10 |
Author:
Yeager
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Date Posted: 06:46:25 04/10/02 Wed
Malachi 3:10!
There is no denying it. It is plain and simple. It is a direct promise from God. I can remember in my past direct instances, like Franz, where God not only provided for me, but also blessed me substantially. So much so that I can remember our Sophomore year getting into a unique discussion about this very subject with Shrieve. I had so much confidence in Malachi 3:10 because I had seen it work without fail and thus proved to me the sovereignty and miraculous nature in God.
To me, it was like in Indiana Jones' "Last Crusade" where Harrison Ford looks down at where he must cross on an invisible bridge, yet does not see a bridge there. Yet he reads again in his notes that he must cross this invisible bridge in order to save his dying father. So he closes his eyes and takes that leap of faith. To his surprise, the bridge exists and he steps onto a very real surface that sustains him. In this way, I draw a similar relationship to tithing; as in Franz's example. Tithing is commanded yet, sometimes we either don't want to do it or don't see how God will provide.
Now comes the drastic counter argument to this experience. Currently, flashes go through my mind of a tithing situation this past year where Angela and I decided to give more than what we believed was required. However, I can honestly say that I do not and have not seen any Malachi 3:10 results. In fact, I would argue the opposite. I would argue that it is possible that this gift would limit us in our future decisions and financial wellbeing. This "tithe" could set us back quite a ways and limit our flexibility to a large extent.
It is because of these circumstances that I somewhat scratch my head. Now we could "defend" God in a number of ways. It could easily be said that we don't know HOW God would bless us. We could say that we don't know at what TIME God will bless us. These loopholes, so to speak, could and probably do require examining. However, my question is why would God issue this promise? Why not just say, "do it" and have that be the end of it. Why go the extent of Malachi 3:10. This is not to be a sacrilegious reply to Franz' thoughts, but rather a complex hermaneutic reply to God's word. On a personal note, I have not held fast to the implications of Malachi 3:10 but have rather shrugged it off as the idea that money is God's anyway. I have somewhat of a peace about it. However, every once in a while I think about that verse. Let me know what you guys think.
Yeager
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