Malachi 3: 6-12

Understanding Giving in a Kingdom...

In a Kingdom, all residents live with an expectancy of their welfare to be taken care of by their king.  It's the thing to do.  Their health, education, household needs and lifestyle is determined by the amount of wealth the king possesses.  Kings live to brag on each other.  Their aim is always to prove to be more wealthy than the next kingdom.  Hence, kings are always looking for new territories to conquer.  Several things are customary in a kingdom, such as:

1. The king makes the laws.

2. The residents obey the laws.

3. Disobedience to the laws always have consequences, even death.

4.  Obedience to the laws lead to favour and prosperity.

In a kingdom the residents don't own anything.  When the king prospers, so does his people. Everything belongs to the king, even the people.  He can have whomever he wants whenever he feels like for whatever he pleases.  It's the law.  The wealth of the kingdom reflects the glory of the king. Once you arrive in a kingdom you can tell if a king is wealthy or not based on the surroundings and dress code of the civilians, etc... You never enter into a king's presence/ throne room without permission nor a present. That too is another norm.  Every guest brings his own gift, especially another king.  However, the king who receives the gifts 'always' tries to 'outgive' the guest in order to maintain his reputation.  In a kingdom, the more you give to a king is the more you can expect to receive from a king.

Are we really seeking the Kingdom?

The problem with many believers today is that we don't view God as a king.  Instead we view HIM as a president/ prime minister, based on our experiences.  We've never lived in a kingdom, nor met a king. Nor do we sufficiently explore the significance of a kingdom. We don't quite understand that there's no room for opinions nor voting in a kingdom.  We can't negotiate amongst ourselves about things God has already ordained. Everything is subject to God's laws. God, when HE established Israel as HIS people gave them laws to obey.  One such law is the law of tithing.  The law of tithing does not just apply to finances, but to every benefit or resource that a citizen obtains.  Back in those  earlier days barter trade was the norm. Wealth was measured in finances as well as kind, such as land, produce, and livestock.  Animals were often traded in the marketplace.  Modernisation created currency. Each kingdom required taxes to be paid by its citizens to facilitate the proper maintenance of the commonwealth such as roads, security, etc...  

Tithing is like paying taxes in/ to the kingdom of God.  The good thing is that the rate is constant for everyone always.  God requires ten percent (10%) of everything you gain, not just your currency.  For instance: if you own ten dresses the 10th one should be given away.  If you own ten mangoes, the 10th one should be given away.  Every 10th, 20th, 30th, etc... accomplishment should be a gift. Giving back is a norm in God's kingdom.  We are stewards not owners.  It's one of God's ways of teaching us to be good managers. It also helps to secure the success of the kingdom. Each person should give according to his/her possessions.  However, your offering is what you give as goodwill.  Your tithe is nationalistic and mandatory, but your offering is personal and subjective.  Offering is based on your generosity.  God responds differently to both.  Read the bible.  Search the scriptures.  There are so many principles and decrees which God has ordained for HIS people.

Kingdom laws have not changed.  We just need to understand how to apply them.  In fact, even in today's democracy, every nation is maintained by law.  Disobedience to laws could lead to imprisonment and loss of citizenship.  In spite of the various governments, the Ten Commandments hold true in all.  All governments acknowledge God's laws. Some though misguided still observe them.  For instance: killing, covetousness, lying, stealing, and disrespect for parents are all unlawful.  The thing about earthly kingdoms is that most of them have failed, kings have died, and kingdoms overthrown.  The major difference with the Kingdom of heaven is that none of the above has occurred.  God has always been, and forever will be the King in HIS Kingdom.  God because of HIS very nature cannot lie.  HIS decrees never change.  So from time to time HE gives us reminders of HIS purpose and our role.

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 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. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Obedience is better than sacrifice...

If we want to activate God's promises, we have to apply HIS laws.  Success in the kingdom is all about obedience.  But since we're not familiar with 'kingdom living' we need to be tutored/ chaperoned into the lifestyle expected.  That's why it was so significant for Jesus to come to earth.  HIS death and resurrection unlocked the privilege of the Holy Spirit.  Royalty doesn't just show up.  Proper preparations have to be made before their appearance.  For instance: the angel told Mary about Jesus; and the three wise-men and shepherds about HIS birth.  John the Baptist told the people about Jesus.  And Jesus told HIS disciples about the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit teaches us how to live in God's Kingdom.  HE explains God's laws and coaches us on how to respond to them.  The Almighty God likes to showoff HIS Kingdom on HIS citizens to other kingdoms.  HE is a very generous King.  HE delights in blessing us.  HE'S like the dad who likes to brag on HIS children. Luke 12  Through Jesus, HE has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1.

A sure way to receive blessings is to invest in God's Kingdom.  HE promises to repay us with loads of wealth too much for us to carry. Luke 6 We also need to be willing to let go of some of the blessings we've received prior.  God's attitude towards us is very fluid.  HE blesses us in order for us to be a blessing to others.  As we bless others we release some of the blessings HE has already given to us.  Then HE refills the 'new vacancy' with more blessings for us to do it all over again.  The blessings of the Lord are visible to everyone.  God is extremely wealthy.  Everything is heaven and earth belongs to HIM.  HE'S disappointed when we disobey HIS laws regarding giving because it is not a true reflection of HIS Glory to others who are not apart of HIS Kingdom.  HE considers it robbery.  Let's be careful not to be selfish with God's blessings. Let's not hide HIS wealth, but let it reflect from our life and lifestyle like a light on a hill.   Giving in the Kingdom of God is an attitude of generosity without malice or prejudice.  A light on a hill gives the same amount of light to all who walks in its path.  You are the light of the world.  Matthew 5 

Testimony: Jesus is King

Worship: You are the light! - Ovation Worship

Be the light!