“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
As you read through the Bible you will notice a familiar pattern. We are encouraged to trust God. While this is always important, it becomes especially important during times when we can’t figure out the solution. But the verse above is completely different. Instead of telling us to “trust” God, it uses the phrase “test me” as it relates to tithing (giving the first 10% of our income). This is one of the few places in the entire Bible where we are encouraged to “test” God concerning what He commands. God is encouraging us to just try it. He’s encouraging us to test Him to see if the results of tithing are true. If we will be obedient and tithe, we have the promise that God will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Will you test God concerning tithing? Use the questions below to study the verse above.
DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY METHOD QUESTIONS
1. What captured your attention?
2. Did anything challenge you? Why?
3. What do I learn about God?
4. What do I learn about people?
5. Is there an example to follow?
6. Is there a command to obey?
7. Is there an action to avoid?
8. Is there a promise to claim?
9. With whom should I share this truth?