WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

 EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

SEPTEMBER 16

 

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.

 
This is a very solemn question, for to attempt it must be very daring.
 
But who can plead not guilty?
 
If we will not take what he has, we have withheld what he claims.
 
He charges us with the crime; he says, “Ye have robbed me.”
 
We have robbed him of his time.
 
His own day, and other times which he claims, and which should be devoted to him.
 
We have robbed him of property.
 
What he lent us, we have claimed as our own.
 
What was given us for others, we have squandered or hoarded for self. We have withheld from his cause what he entrusted to our care for is benefit.
 
We have robbed him of the heart.
 
This we have given to others— to idols. They have been loved, trusted, afford, and feared before him.
 
We have robbed him of our talents.
 
Spending them in the service of others, and suing them in the service of others. And using them for the gratification and aggrandizement of ourselves.
 
What can we say to such conduct?
 
Is it not ungrateful?
 
For he is our Father.
 
Is it not daring?
 
For he could crush us with a look.
 
Let us reflect upon our characters, robbers of God.
 
Let us confess our crimes, obtain a pardon, change our course, and render unto God the things that are God’s.
 

Guilty I plead before thy throne:

My God, my crimes forgive;

I plead the Saviour’s blood alone:

Pardon, and bid me live.

 
James Smith