Go Ahead, Try Me

by Darla Noble

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says the LORD of Hosts, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for.“

Malachi 3:10

In today’s verse we see God encouraging us…even daring us to test Him. “Go ahead and see what I’m made of,” He is saying. And so I did.

Farming is hard work and pay days for a farmer are seasonal rather than weekly or monthly like they are for most people. And when you throw in the fact that I am a freelance writer and author who depends on assignments and quarterly royalty checks, you end up with erratic income and fixed monthly expenses. In other words, it’s not always easy. And I confess that over the years I have been stingy at times. I’ve not given back to God first so I would be certain of having what I needed for my kids’ Christmas gifts, school supplies, and the other little extras that come with having a large family. And you know what? Those times were ALWAYS more stressful emotionally, spiritually, and financially than when I gave first.

So one day I decided I was going to try it—the ‘it’ being tithing without fail. I figured if I trusted and believed God’s promise of eternal life through Jesus (which I do), then why not trust Him on this, too.

From that day forward I’ve given over and above my tithe and NEVER… not once have I been lacking. In fact, I’ve had less financial stress than I ever had trying to do it my way. So go ahead…test God and see what He will do. You will be blessed in ways you cannot imagine.

Pray: LORD, thank You for Your promise to supply my needs and then some. Help me trust in this promise and receive the blessings You have for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.