Asking to Give
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There is another matter too often neglected by those who seek the
Lord in prayer. Have you been honest with God? By the prophet
Malachi the Lord declares, “Even from the days of your fathers ye are
gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return
unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye
said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have
robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and
offerings.”
Malachi 3:7, 8
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As the Giver of every blessing, God claims a certain portion of all
we possess. This is His provision to sustain the preaching of the gospel.
And by making this return to God, we are to show our appreciation of
His gifts. But if we withhold from Him that which is His own, how
can we claim His blessing? If we are unfaithful stewards of earthly
things, how can we expect Him to entrust us with the things of heaven?
It may be that here is the secret of unanswered prayer.
But the Lord in His great mercy is ready to forgive, and He says,
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
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Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, ... if I will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not
be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your
sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall
your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field.... And all nations
shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the
Lord of hosts.”
Malachi 3:10-12
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So it is with every other one of God’s requirements. All His gifts
are promised on condition of obedience. God has a heaven full of
blessings for those who will co-operate with Him. All who obey Him
may with confidence claim the fulfillment of His promises.
But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God. Often He
delays to answer us in order to try our faith or test the genuineness of
our desire. Having asked according to His word, we should believe
His promise and press our petitions with a determination that will not
be denied.
God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us
ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the
petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased
desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at