World Changing Words Devotional-Day 54

MALACHI 3:10-12 | ¹⁰ Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. ¹¹ I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. ¹² Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

 What does it mean that God will “open the windows of heaven” when we are generous? Simply that the more we give of ourselves, the more he can do through us. As we become generous and share, he can do more through us and for us. Generosity changes the recipient and the giver, creating new possibilities for personal and social growth. Generosity alters us, allowing us to engage more closely in problems and possibilities. We feel more valuable to God and others, more capable of influencing people and events.

 Your generosity inspires mine, and my giving becomes a model for someone else. The tide of selfishness and indulgence recedes, the power and visibility of gratitude and love increases. God partners with generous disciples in exciting ways.

 How does the agricultural metaphor in Malachi fit with today’s meditation?

Tags: generosity, growth