January 11.
Don’t Rob God

Malachi 3:8

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

I was on my way to church one Sunday morning and three young boys were riding in an open jeep. Two young ladies were riding right behind them. They stopped at the red light right in front of First Baptist Church. One of the fellows pulled downed his pants and bent over and patted it at the young ladies behind them. That’s low morals. But can I let you in on a little secret. You’re just like those fellows when God gives you a job and health and strength and protection down dangerous highways and lets you work on the job all week and gives you a paycheck and then lets you make it home. Then on Sunday instead of paying God, you act like God doesn’t exist. It’s like bending over in front of God, patting yourself and saying, “Take it.” It is only by His protecting you everyday that you do the things you do.

Will a man rob God? Have you ever heard of a child holding up the parents? Can you imagine how you would feel if your 16 year old boy walked straight up to you and put a gun in your nose and said, “Momma, give me every dime you’ve got.” Not only would you be mad, you would be hurt because you raised that child from birth. You took care of that baby. You remember all the times he was sick and you sat with him. You remember times that you gave up stuff for yourself for him to survive. And now for him to show how he appreciates you, he robs you. Now there’s a difference between robbing and stealing. A thief is a coward. The thief catches you with your back turned. A thief waits until you leave the house and then slips in the window and rushes out before you get there. That’s a thief. But a robber has nerve. He stands and looks at you right in the face. Notice the text didn’t say, “Will a man steal.” We have the audacity to rob him and then tell him, “Bless me.”

Will a man – a little puny finite man rob an infinite God?