“O taste and see that the LORD our God is good” (Psalms 34:8). Why is this confident invitation extended to all? Because our God, the Creator of the Universe, knows exactly how good He is and how much joy we will experience in getting close to Him.
We can trust the Lord because He has always been present (The First and the Last - Revelation 22:13), He knows all things (Declaring…from ancient times things not yet done – Isaiah 46:10), He knows all about you (You are acquainted with all my ways – Psalms 139:3), and especially because He loves you (Christ died for us – Romans 5:8).
God is specifically confident in issuing His promise to us in for giving to Him in tithes and offerings. It is written “and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). Who is better to fulfill such a promise than the One who is all powerful, has always existed and has kept His word every time?
He also desires for us to experience the goodness of a life free from debt. In Romans 13 it says “Owe no man anything, but to love one another”. The timing for the attainment of this goal can be quite different for each household, but I can share from our personal experience and testimonies from others that once we commit ourselves, the strength and power which comes from the Lord makes it as though it is already done. That is God showing His goodness to us.
God promises to bestow His goodness in giving to others. Jesus said “It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.” This can be with finances, materials or your time. By yielding ourselves more in this area, it will soften our hearts to be less attached to the things of this world. In Matthew 25 the Lord also reveals His approval of giving and a great promise to come – “The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.”
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
