March 18, 2023
Demonstrating Our Trust In The Lord
The Lord - “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!” (Malachi 3:10)
DAILY DEVOTION
In 1887, a young man surrendered his life to the Lord in a revival meeting with Dwight L. Moody. Someone asked the new Christian what he planned to do next. He replied, “I’m not sure, I’m just going to trust and obey.” Hearing his testimony, two men wrote the music and lyrics to the old hymn “When We Walk With The Lord.” Here are the lyrics to the first stanza and chorus:
When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
Trusting in the Lord can be hard. Obeying Him can be even harder. The reason is because deep down we are all extremely selfish. We want to do what we want to do, especially when it comes to our money. We want to spend it, invest it, save it, or give it in ways we feel is best. However, the Lord instructs us to tithe to His work through the church because doing so demonstrates gratitude, prioritization, faith, and obedience. Solomon writes, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” (Proverbs 3:5-10)
The Lord wants to be first in our lives. We can demonstrate to Him that He is indeed first in our lives by tithing to Him from our income. Most people handle their money by (1) earning it, (2) enjoying it, (3) repaying it, (4) saving it, and then (5) giving it. However, to handle money God’s way, we need to (1) earn it, (2) give it, (3) save it, (4) repay it, and then (5) enjoy it.
The root behind all of our financial problems is not ignorance, or mismanagement, or lack of funds. It’s unbelief. When it comes down to it, we don’t trust God enough to follow His guidelines for our lives. More than needing a financial planner, we need a life manager named Jesus Christ. He wants to be the CEO and the CFO of our lives.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out a prayer to the Lord. In your prayer, thank Him for all He has done for you and all He has given you. Then, ask Him to help you trust Him with your entire life, especially your finances. Ask Him to show you whether or not you are being faithful to Him in your tithes and offerings. If you are leading your family through this devotion time, lead each one of them to write out their own prayer. Read them the follow up activity instructions above and answer any questions they may have about tithing or trusting in the Lord
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You for all You have done for me and given to me. Help me to trust You with everything I have, including my finances. Help me to be faithful in tithing and giving to You. I put my trust in You, Lord. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.