Giving Back to God What is His

In March and April of each year we tend to focus our attention on money matters.  Probably because our government requires us to file a report of our income and expenses and the tax we owe them for the previous year.  If we do not pay the government what we owe them, it is a criminal offense and there is a penalty to be paid.  But if we do not give to God what is His, is it a spiritual offense, aka sin?  That could deprive us of the many blessings we could have received.  The Pharisees asked Jesus about this same situation, hoping to discredit His teachings.

Matthew 22:17 – “Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? vs. 18 “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?” vs. 19 “ Show Me the tax money.”  So they brought Him a denarius.  vs. 20 “And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”  vs 21 “They said to Him, “Caesars”.  And He said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”  vs. 22 “When they heard these words, they marveled and left Him and went their way.”

In the last book of the Old Testament, (Malachi), we are given instructions on what and how to give to God the things that are God’s.  Chapter 3 verses 8 through 12 outlines the things that are God’s.

Malachi 3:8-12 – “Will a man rob God?  Yet you have robbed Me!  But you say, In what way have we robbed You?  In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me.  Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try me now in this.” says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such  blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will  not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field, Says the Lord of hosts;  And all  nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land, Says the Lord of hosts.”

We need to go back to the Old Testament to prove where everything we have and everything we are able to do has been given to us by God.  It is truly all His and we are only required to give back a portion.

Deuteronomy 8:18 – “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swore with thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Let me share some examples of how God has taken care of me for the  past 42 years.   A few months after I became a Christian, my second husband died and I became a widow for the second time.  What a difference Jesus made in the decisions I had to make.  Because I was alone, I was able to fill a position which only a single woman was able to fill.  I am retired now but am still reaping the financial benefits from that position.  I also was given an opportunity to supplement my income as a part time bookkeeper at my local church for twenty five more years.  In addition to this, every time I have to purchase an item, it is ALWAYS ON SALE!  My daughter tells everyone that whenever her mom approaches a cash register, it automatically goes into “Discount mode”.  I believe I know why this happens.  As a new Christian, I first heard of tithing.  I thought they were saying “tide”, not “tithe”.  By the way, at that time, I lived by the ocean.  (That was a poor excuse for my ignorance about giving to the church!)  But I was willing to obey God’s Word and started tithing  to His church and never stopped. Since then I have never wanted for anything I needed.  I have also been able to give freely to those in need.  I can truly say the Lord opened the windows of heaven and has and still is pouring out His blessings on me.  Because of this, I have lived a long, productive and delightful life and am still being blessed.  PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL OF HIS GOODNESS TO US!

Thank you for reading this.

Great Granny Witt