February 8

“Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house. . . and prove me now herewith.” Malachi 3:10

The people of Israel were in deep poverty. If they had contemplated practicing this command, they would doubtless have protested that since their ten loads of rice were insufficient, how could nine loads possibly suffice? Since their ten bags of flour were not enough, how could they conceivably manage with nine bags?

This is the foolish reasoning of natural man, and God reproved his people. He offered to open to them the very windows of heaven if only they would believe that the things impossible with men are possible with God.

May I tell you that having ten loads is the reason for your poverty, while nine loads could ensure your abundance. A man may reckon that the more he has in hand, the better is his financial condition. Such a man does not know that this is how his poverty came about. To bring to God is to enter into blessing; to retain in our hand may be to invite the curse of hunger.