Foundations Devotional: Week 4, Day 5
Day 5: The Test of Trust
Malachi 3:10
“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.”
This verse contains something extraordinary: God actually invites us to test Him. While elsewhere in scripture we’re told not to put God to the test, here He specifically challenges us to prove His faithfulness through our giving. It’s the only place in scripture where God makes such an invitation.
The context is crucial—God is addressing a people who had withheld their tithes,
effectively robbing Him of what was rightfully His. Yet instead of punishment, God offers an opportunity for restoration through radical trust. The challenge isn’t just about giving 10%; it’s about believing that God’s provision is more reliable than our careful calculations.
Notice the comprehensiveness of the command: “the whole tithe.” God isn’t interested in partial obedience or cautious experimentation. He calls for complete trust demonstrated through complete obedience. In return, He promises blessings that exceed our capacity to receive them.
This doesn’t mean that giving guarantees material prosperity, but it does promise that God’s provision will be more than sufficient for our needs. The real blessing might be the freedom that comes from breaking the power of materialism over our lives and experiencing the joy of partnering with God in His kingdom work.
Reflection Questions:
1. What prevents you from fully trusting God with your finances?
2. Have you experienced God’s provision after stepping out in faith through giving?
3. What would “testing God” in this area look like in your current situation?
Prayer Focus:
Father, give me the courage to trust You completely with my resources.
Help me overcome my fears and experience the freedom and blessing of faithful
stewardship.