40 Day Daniel Fast Day 35

Malachi 3:8   Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

Have you ever seen one of those movies where you see someone climb their way up to the top of the ladder or on a team and gain some level of success, and then that victory goes to their head? It's as if they forget the process of how they got there. And what happens next? They become a bit arrogant and lack humility, and then what happens? A turn in events occurs that humbles them; they quickly remember they didn't make it here on their own - it was someone's help; the team helped! This is also a theme of what we saw with the children of Israel here in this passage. We saw in this passage that this land they received as an inheritance was only given to them for stewardship.

What happens with some of us? Why do we fail this test of stewardship? We believe it's our power and strength, our hands and experience, our ability that gave us the wealth we have earned. You see, the children of Israel were warned about this; read Deuteronomy 8:17-18. We find the warning, "beware, that you may say in your heart", that your hand your amazing work ethic, your skills, your connections, your…..got you the wealth. Don't forget it was and IS the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get the wealth. But guess what? There is something powerful, the purpose of the wealth, the reason behind "your" success, "That he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day." That was the reason, but all of this was to be expressed in their festivals, first fruits, tabernacles, and weekly sabbath! What is all of this revealing? That God wants you to acknowledge and make sure you don't forget who gave you all of this and acknowledge Him in all of the things you do! Can I ask you a question? How are you acknowledging Him now? When you are looking at your business schedule, with all of the travel and meetings, are you remembering it was Him? When you are entertaining at your home or a restaurant and place the card down to pay, do you remember it was Him? When you get in your car and drive to all of the places you go, do you get in and remember it was Him? What should we walk away believing? That God's material blessing was intended to glorify Him and enrich not ourselves but the Lord.

Challenge
How are you glorifying the Lord with your wealth? Have you forgotten it was Him who has given you the wealth?