A Personal Plea . . . .Putting God to the Test?

Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 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.

(Malachi 3:8-10)

How many of you would purposely take from God? How many would put Him to the test? On July 8, 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards once said, preached a sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" in which he painted a vivid picture of one's fate without the grace of God. If not for God, there goes me!

How many of us go through life taking God for granted? How many of us live a selfish life . . . caring for our own needs and the needs of our families, yet ignoring the outcry of the needs of those right next to us? While God provides, He also calls every believer to participate in His work.

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

(1 Corinthians 9:7-12)

Not only is it a blessing to participate in mission work, it is a responsibility. Paul lays it out in his words above. Those in ministry deserve to make a living! However, we cannot study, teach, spend time with those in need, give to the needs of those we serve, nor prepare properly if we have to spend the majority of our time earning our keep for both ministry and family needs. When called by God, life becomes both sacrificial and rewarding. It is a 24/7 challenge to suport both a family and a ministry.

This is where every believer comes in . . . every believer participates . . . every believer benefits! It is not the church's job to support missionaries . . . it is your responsibility and my responsibility! The burden of fundraising and the personal feelings of rejection cause many to throw in the towel and resign from ministry. This is a black eye for the church for all the world to see. It is embarrassing!

So will you answer the call of God to be a part of His work? May I challenge you to take God at His dare? Try Him! (Malachi 3:10) Will you commit to support the work God has given to us, so we too may be able to commit to serve rather than found begging for bread? We pledge a lifetime to the Lord and His people. Will you in turn pledge a lifetime of support? Please do not quit!

I dare you to trust God as you give! No one can out-give God!!!!Please give today . . . www.tsnministries.org. God bless you!