In Malachi 3:16 an opposite class is brought
to view, a class that meet together, not to find fault with God,
but to speak of His glory and tell of His mercies. These have
been faithful in their duty. They have given to the Lord His
own. Testimonies are borne by them that make the heavenly angels
sing and rejoice. These have no complaints to make against God.
Those who walk in the light, who are faithful and true in doing
their duty, are not heard complaining and finding fault. They
speak words of courage, hope, and faith. It is those who serve
themselves, who do not give God His own, that complain.
"They that feared the Lord spake often
one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book
of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the
Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine,
saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels;
and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth
him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous
and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth
Him not." Verses 16-18.
The reward of whole-souled liberality is
the leading of mind and heart to a closer fellowship with the
Spirit.
The man who has been unfortunate, and finds
himself in debt, should not take the Lord's portion to cancel
his debts to his fellow men. He should consider that in these
transactions he is being tested, and that in reserving the Lord's
portion for his own use he is robbing the Giver. He is debtor
to God for all that he has, but he becomes a double debtor when
he uses the Lord's reserved fund in paying debts to human beings.
"Unfaithfulness to God" is written against his name
in the books of heaven. He has an account to settle with God
for appropriating the Lord's means for his own convenience. And
the want of principle shown in his misappropriation of God's
means will be revealed in his management of other matters. It
will be seen in all matters connected with his own business.
The man who will rob God is cultivating traits of character that
will cut him off from admittance into the family of God above.
A selfish use of riches proves one unfaithful
to God, and unfits the steward of means for the higher trust
of heaven.
There are channels everywhere through which
benevolence may flow. Needs are constantly arising, missions
are handicapped for want of means. These must be abandoned unless
God's people awake to the true state of things. Wait not until
your death to make your will, but dispose of your means while
you live.