Speaker: Beth Jackson, Sole Pastor of St.
Ives Baptist Church
Scripture: Malachi 3:6-18
First half of Malachi 3: The people of God
were weary and worn-down and half-hearted. These worn-down people’s worship
wasn’t pleasing God.
Malachi was there to call them back, to
their original intent as the people of God.
Most people use today’s verses in reference
to tithing.
People keep progressing then falling back. Eg.
Joshua leading the people into the Promised Land.
The role of a minister in a faith community
is to continually draw God’s people back to the centre. It is an ongoing work.
The people asks for concrete examples: “How
do we return to you?”
Let’s begin with the tithes. The people
were giving blemished tithes. The people were just covering their bases, but
their hearts were not in it.
They were still reserving the best for
themselves, “just in case”. “We’ve given up everything for you, Lord. But just
what if you don’t come through?”
There was a time in the UK where Beth was
paid so little in her ministry work that she was having financial struggles
bringing up her children.
“Tithing is biblical, but not Christian.
Tithing is simply not radical enough for the kingdom of God.” God wants the
best of us, all of it. Justice, mercy and faithfulness.
“Return to me and I will return to you.”
Many people do not stay in ministry for
long. Tragic when once faithful servants of God turn away from God when they
become disillusioned and the cost just seems to high.
“Great is the reward”: closing in hope. “In
the fullness of time, those who have remained faithful, they will be mine.” A Consecrated
life.
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