“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)
October is traditionally recognized as Stewardship Month! It is a special time for us to reflect on God’s goodness and consider how we respond to His many blessings. Stewardship is about more than money. It is about how we use our time, share our talents, exercise our spiritual gifts, manage our resources, and dedicate our lives to God’s service.
When we truly know God, we recognize that everything we have comes from God. And when we recognize God’s goodness, our hearts should overflow with gratitude, and our hands should respond with faithful giving. Because to know God is to thank God — and to thank God is to respond with gratitude!
Now, there is a difference between knowing about God andknowing God. Knowing about God begins in our mind. It is what we learn, what we read, and what we hear. But knowing God goes deeper. Knowing God is in our heart. It is what we experience, what we trust, and what we believe. And that is what stewardship is all about! Stewardship is heart work! It is our heartfelt response to the goodness, grace, and faithfulness of God.
When we know in our hearts that God is our Provider, we respond with thanksgiving! When we know that God is our Sustainer, we respond with trust! And when we know that God is our Deliverer, we respond with praise! Stewardship is how we respond to what God has entrusted to us. And when we take what God has placed in our hands and place it back into God’s hands, we are declaring: Lord, I trust You!
The Scripture, Malachi 3:10, is not a formula for manipulating God. It is an invitation to trust God. There are three key elements:
- First, there is “The Command.” God commands His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse so there will be food in His house. This was about supporting the worshiping community and providing for the work of God.
- Second, there is “The Challenge.” God invites His people to test His faithfulness through their obedience. God is calling His people to trust Him enough to put their faith into action.
- Third, there is “The Promise.” God declares that He will open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing so abundant that there will not be room enough to receive it!
When God opens the floodgates, blessings don’t just trickle in, they pour in! That’s when we discover that God is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine! And because we know God, we can thank God. And because we thank God, we can respond with grateful hearts and faithful hands! When we trust God enough to open our hands, we make room to participate in the work God is doing! And that is the invitation of The Floodgates of Heaven!
Rev. Marion J. Miller is the Senior Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 Thomas V. Bryant Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana. She is also an Associate District Superintendent in the Southern Rivers District. She may be reached at 812-283-3747 or via email at wesley1201@sbcglobal.
