The Original 3 Rs

[God speaking] Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned My decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 

Malachi 3:7 NLT

With so many schools closed due to the quarantine, there's a renewed focus on the 3 Rs of education; Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. There is some disagreement on when, where and by whom that particular phrase was coined. However, I'd like to take you back to the 3 Rs that were written sometime around 430 BC and apply them to the churches that are also closed due to the quarantine.

Now, I know when you start talking about people's money they tend to get very defensive. Especially in times like these, when the market is crashing and the global economy is in so much trouble. However, I have lived long enough to have put God to the test when it comes to tithing and my finances, and I can tell you that He DOES open the windows of heaven and He DOES pour out blessings so great that there's not room enough to take it all in (verse 10) to the point that you have to share what God has given you!  

I can't take credit for pulling these 3 Rs from Scripture; I wish I could because they're that good! But I heard Robert Morris's sermon titled, This is a Test, and these 3 points came from his teaching about tithing. If you read in Malachi 3 you'll find the promise of these 3Rs when it comes to tithing.

1. When we tithe our 10%, it removes the curse off the other 90% of our money. (vs 9)
2. When we tithe, God rebukes the devourer from our lives for our sakes. (vs 11)
3. When we tithe, God restores the blessing. (vs 12)

Many times, I have heard people say, "I can't afford to tithe."  I promise you - I have lived long enough and through enough recessions to unequivocally testify that I can't afford NOT to tithe. God has always seen me through since I returned to Him (see our text for today). Perhaps I should've called this the 4 Rs, for we certainly want God to return to us.

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You that You have plans for us that are for our good and Your glory. Give us wisdom and generous hearts, O God! The Bible says that we should bring our tithes and offerings into Your storehouse and that You will respond by opening the windows of heaven and sending down blessing upon blessing.  You said, “Give, and it will be given to you; for in the same measure as you give, it will be given to you again”. We give to You today as a response to Your goodness to us. We ask that You receive our tithes and offerings and continue to supply all our needs. May Your peace be in our hearts, Your grace be in our words, Your love be in our hands, and Your joy be in our souls. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen