by Phyllis McColister
“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.”
—Malachi 3:10 NKJV
These words in Malachi were ringing in my ears one day in 1989. I was just beginning to learn how to walk with Jesus in obedience to His Word. I was young, immature, and a poor steward of the resources God so lovingly provided for me.
There I was, sitting in the pew at tithe and offering time while Malachi 3:10 was being read from the pulpit. My last $50 was in my purse to carry me through to the next payday.
I remembered my vow to live in obedience to the Lord, and I wanted a genuine faith. The words “try Me now in this” somehow provided the strength I needed. I thought to myself, “I surely would like to have the windows of heaven opened and blessing poured into my life.” Yet, my last $50 was somehow hard to part with.
I began to pray and once again remind myself of my vow and how I really wanted a genuine faith and walk with the Lord. I watched the offering plate come closer and closer to my row. I took out the $50, wrote out the tithe envelope, and dropped it in the plate.
I wondered how I was going to pay for gas and lunch for myself and my child. Again, the words “try Me now in this” were comforting. I continued to worship and then returned home.
As I climbed the stairs to my apartment, I had no cares for how I would make it through the week. I passed my brother, Jesse, on the stairs, and he took my hand and squeezed it very hard. When he let go of my hand, there was a $100 bill in it. I exclaimed, “What is this for?” He answered, “Because I love you,” and continued to pass me down the stairs.
Surely, God’s Word is true! When we seek to live in obedience to the Lord and His Word, He will make it possible. The windows of heaven were surely opened over my life that day, and the blessing was twice what I returned in tithe and offering.
I tried God and found Him faithful. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)
By His grace, I have never forgotten my lesson, neither have I ever been comfortable not returning a faithful tithe to a faithful God.