From the archives of Oral Roberts – First of two parts
God gave a promise to His people in Malachi 3:10–11 that is a promise for you and me today. The Bible teaches that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t change. His promises are true and will always be true. Today, we, as Christians, are God’s people. Therefore, this promise is for us:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes.
When God says “prove me now herewith,” He is saying to His people, “If you will do your part, I will do My part. Put Me to the test. Let Me show you that I will do what I say.”
God’s promise has two parts: First, He promises to pour us out a blessing that we cannot contain. In other words, He’s going to pour so much out on us that we can’t hold it all.
All last summer, I studied a number of special books and manuscripts written by Hebrew Scholars ― many of them Rabbis ― including commentaries on this passage. One of the things I discovered is that this passage in Malachi is linked to the blessing God gave to Abraham: “I will bless you and make you a blessing.” (See Genesis 12:2.) The point the rabbis make is this: We aren’t meant to contain all of God’s blessing.
God doesn’t give us a blessing that is like a lake―but like a river. God’s blessings flow to us, and through us. Just as a river causes life to spring forth all along its banks―rich, fruit-bearing trees and plants that draw from the river’s water―so we are blessed when God pours us out a blessing like a river. At the same time, God’s blessing flows through us to others.
When you give to God and prove Him with your giving, you are in a position, not only to be blessed abundantly in your own life, but you’ll become a blessing to all those around you. That’s God’s promise!
