More Than Merchandise

Malachi 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, 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. (11) 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, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)  

Here would be another way to look at verse 10; cast all your cares and bring them to God’s storehouse, which is spiritual, and leave them there, letting Him do the caring for you. Being that our God already knows what you had need of before you asked, which by the way that need first and foremost is spiritual, then who better to cast it upon and leave it with than Him? Now that you have begun your walk in the Spirit, concentrate all your efforts and priorities toward the heavenly realm. You know, if someone in this world told or should I say dared you to prove them, then it would be fitting to think that they were confident and able to accomplish what they said. Are you willing to let your heavenly Father prove Himself in your life, or are you more confident in your own abilities? In looking at verse 11 I think of the many ranchers around Montana whose crops can start out so well but be wiped out with one hail storm. For those in Christ, and those that stay grounded and rooted in His promises, God promises to protect our spiritual crop so that it won’t be destroyed by the storms of this life. Remember people, you are a child of God and not just some credit card number, or someone that is merchandised for someone else’s benefit; so allow the Lord to work in your life and don’t settle for anything less.  

Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. (KJV)  

You know, if someone took one of your children from you, then turned around and sold them to make profit off them, there would be an amber alert to get them back and stop this crime. How do you think our Father enjoys seeing His children going into spiritual captivity because of those that claim to be one of His who are robbing the people of truth and selling out to the way of the world and its thinking? According to Deuteronomy 24:7 it is a death sentence, separation from God, an evil that should be put away from God’s people and not supported by them.  

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (KJV)

When it would please our Father to give them His kingdom, it grieves Him to see it rejected by His own people, robbing Him the opportunity to work on their behalf and bless them the way they were intended to be blessed. Because they forget the law of God they too are forgotten of Him. When they should be bringing their attention and efforts to His storehouse which is spiritual, they are more wrapped up and concerned with the knowledge of this world and miss the mark, exchanging the truth for a lie; those that should be blessed have been cursed and rejected to what was rightfully theirs.

John 2:13-16 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (KJV)  

You know, if this is the example our Lord set for us while He walked this earth, then what makes people think that just because He left it is ok to make His house, which by the way we are, a house of merchandising? In fact when I look at the above verses and see that He made a scourge of small cords, He obviously was delivering a pretty stern message to the people. Now if this kind of mentality was not acceptable then, why would anyone think it is today? All this effort we have put in the past concerning our physical upkeep and gain should now be cast out, and replaced with a new set of priorities which are now aimed at the realm of the Spirit. Have you ever desired something in this life, and were bound and determined to get it no matter what; whether a job, husband, wife, anything or anyone you thought was going to bring you peace and fulfillment? Now imagine taking that same effort and mindset and applying it to the spiritual realm, letting God open His windows and not just pour out but receive all the spiritual blessings that are available in Christ. You are more than just merchandise to God, as your own children are to you, so don’t let anyone or any organization treat you like you are; because be assured that those that practice this kind of deception will also be met with a threefold cord when they try to gain access to their eternal reward as well.  

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (KJV)  

We see again how many rob God, and are robbed of His spiritual blessings because they fall for man’s cheap self serving damnable heresies which deny the truth our Lord delivered through His word, and keep the people in bondage. While it would be our Father’s good pleasure to open the windows of heaven upon those that are His, they keep the windows shut and damned up because of their false teachings. While mankind thinks bigger is better, the more the merrier, God is still looking for those few that are willing to walk that narrow path that leads to life, an eternal life that is rightfully theirs and given to them by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. (14) For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (15) She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (16) Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. (17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (18) She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. (KJV)  

Where your treasure is today is where you heart is and what will determine your outcome. Are you willing to let go of the things of this life so that you can partake of the true riches, or are you robbing God the opportunity to bless you the way He intended? You are more than just a number or a piece of merchandise in God’s sight, and don’t be taken in by those that think and teach otherwise. It is our Father’s good pleasure to give you His kingdom, which is above and beyond anything you could have thought or imagined. So go partake of what is rightfully yours and don’t settle for anything less.  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.