Malachi 3:11
“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.”
Most of the problems that Christians face in life are self-made problems. God’s promises are as good today as they were when He made them. If God promised us that He would bless us if we did something, then if we do it we will be blessed. On the other hand, if God promised to curse us if we don’t do something, then you can be assured that you will be cursed if you don’t do it.
One of the areas where you are guaranteed a blessing or a curse is in the area of giving tithes and offerings. In Malachi 3, God promised to rebuke the devourer if we would give our tithes and offerings. In other words, there are some things that will be devoured when we don’t give tithes and offerings.
First, productivity will be devoured. When you don’t give your tithes and offerings, you will find yourself working hard and getting nothing in return. The verse above says, “…he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground…” When a person doesn’t give their tithes and offerings, they will find themselves working hard and never going anywhere because the devourer devours their hard work.
Second, nations will be cursed. Verse 12 says, “he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground…” We like to blame the condition of a nation on a political party, but God blames it on His children not giving their tithes and offerings. If every Christian would give their tithes and offerings, God promised that He would bless that nation.
Third, the devourer will devour the work of a Christian. Verse 14 says, “Ye have said, It is vain to serve God…” Many Christians have given up on serving God because they thought it didn’t pay to serve the LORD, but the problem was God couldn’t bless their works because they didn’t give tithes or offerings. Instead of saying that serving God doesn’t work, you might want to look at your giving record and be sure you are current with God.
Fourth, wickedness will be in control when we don’t give tithes and offerings. Verse 15 says, “…they that work wickedness are set up…” Why is it that we see the wicked sitting in the seats of leadership? The reason is God’s people are not giving their tithes and offerings.
Friend the whole cause of these curses is that Christians are not giving their tithes and offerings. God says in verse 8, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” God cannot bless those who rob Him. The only thing that keeps the devourer from taking from you is when you give tithes and offerings. When God sees you giving tithes and offerings, He stands between you and the devourer and keeps him from taking from you.
I ask you, are you part of the reason that others could be hurting? It is sad that you are not the only one who is hurt when you don’t give tithes and offerings. The devourers effect always affects others. I encourage you to be sure that you are current with God so that the devourer will be rebuked and you can live in the blessings of God.