Read: Malachi 3:10
The biggest mistake I made when I was younger was budgeting first and then tithing. At first, this may not seem like a problem—if you can take out your tithe and then do your budget, that’s great. But for me, it created a mindset of scarcity, and I constantly felt like there wasn’t going to be enough. I wanted to trust God, but each time I reviewed my finances and balanced all my expenses, it seemed like giving would stretch things a little too thin. Part of me wanted to play it safe and hold back, but there was also a nudge to trust God—to take a step of faith, even if it didn’t make perfect sense on paper.
This is the heart of what God invites us to in Malachi 3:10, where He says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test…if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” It’s a rare moment where God says, “Test me.”
This passage shows that giving is more than just a financial decision; it’s a trust exercise. When we give, we’re saying, “God, I trust You more than I trust my bank account.” It’s an act of faith that acknowledges Him as our ultimate provider. Taking this step can feel risky, but God promises to respond to our trust in remarkable ways.
Faithful giving doesn’t necessarily mean wealth, but it does mean experiencing God’s provision in ways we might miss if we play it safe. God invites us to trust Him fully, to open our hands and see what He will do when we step out in faith.
Reflection Questions:
- What would it look like for you to “test” God with your giving?
- How does giving reveal your trust in God?
- When have you seen God provide as a result of your faithfulness?