The Blessing of Obedience

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty,
“and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
(Malachi 3:10, NIV)

What an extraordinary invitation.

Nowhere else in Scripture does God say, “Test Me.”
In fact, both Deuteronomy 6:16 and Matthew 4:7 tell us plainly: “Do not test the Lord your God.”

And yet, right here in Malachi 3:10, the Lord Himself throws open a door and says,
“Go ahead, test Me in this.”

That should make us sit up and take notice!

It’s as if God is saying, “I dare you to trust Me. I dare you to put your faith into action and watch what I will do.”

If you’re anything like me, that makes you curious.
What happens when we actually take God at His Word?
What might He do when we choose to give – not out of fear or duty – but out of obedience and faith?

Imagine it: the floodgates of Heaven flung open. Blessing-abundant, overflowing, and tailor-made by the hand of God – pouring into your life.

Now, here’s the key: God’s blessing doesn’t always come wrapped in pound signs or bank statements.
Sometimes it looks like peace that defies understanding.
Sometimes it’s protection, favour, opportunities, restored relationships, or even contentment where there used to be striving.

So, let’s be clear – tithing is not a divine slot machine: put 10% in, get riches out.
No, it’s a sacred act of trust. It’s saying, “Lord, I believe You will care for me better with 90% than I could ever care for myself with 100%.”

And when you live that way, He promises to pour out blessings you won’t even have room to contain.

Let’s Get Practical

1. Tithing is not tipping.
If you’re earning £40,000 a year and tossing a £10 note in the offering plate each month, that’s not tithing. That’s tipping.
God isn’t your waiter; He’s your Maker. The Bible clearly defines the tithe as10% - a portion that belongs to Him.

2. Tithing is based on your gross income.
If your gross salary is £30,000, your tithe is £3,000.
Why before tax? Because tax and NI go toward things we benefit from. God deserves the first portion – not what’s left after everyone else has taken theirs.

3. Tithing is God’s business.
You’re not giving to a pastor; you’re giving to God through His church.
Your leaders are responsible before the Lord for how those resources are used.
If you struggle to trust your church with your tithe, it may reveal a deeper issue of trust – with leadership or even with God Himself.

Release it. Hand your tithe over to the “storehouse” and let God handle what happens next. He is more than capable.

Friend, as we said yesterday, God is not an angry accountant in Heaven tallying receipts.
He’s a loving Father – ready, waiting, eager to bless His children.
When we obey Him in the area of tithing, we step under the open windows of Heaven.

So today, don’t give in to pressure, give out of trust.
Don’t withhold out of fear, give out of faith.

Then watch what your Father will do.

Prayer:

“Lord, You’ve invited me to test You in this, and I will.
I bring You my tithe with joy and faith, trusting that You will open the floodgates of Heaven over my life.
Teach me to give cheerfully, to trust deeply, and to live under Your blessing.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”