Malachi 3:6-12
There are two objections and responses in this oracle: (1) You have turned aside from My statues and have not kept them. Return to me…. They say, “How shall we return?” (2) You are robbing Me…. They say “How have we robbed Thee?” Both of these condemnations point to one root of the problem: Selfishness!
Selfishness reveals our attitude toward our property. Selfishness denotes that we think of our property in the terms of ownership, not stewardship. Ownership reveals a selfish heart and fortification mentality. The truth is we own nothing, we only borrow it. Selflessness recognizes that all we have is held as a sacred trust from God. We are stewards of it, not owners.
Selfishness holds back. It reveals a lack of faith. It says to God that we really do not believe Him. Small giving and small blessings go hand in hand. If we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly. Selfishness will never receive the benefit of generosity from God, and others.
Our selfishness holds things back from God. In reality, it robs God of fellowship, not our money. Selfishness robs God of our time, talent, and heart. It robs Him of our blessing, and us of His liberty to bless us.
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