While you may not be a gambler, you've probably heard the phrase, "hedging your bets." It means to not put all your money on one outcome or one horse. Hedge funds are a similar concept from the world of investments. Many, including myself, invest in mutual funds, which allows for overall growth even when some of the stocks fall. "Don't all your eggs in one basket" is the cliche I grew up with - perhaps you did too.
Malachi dealt with the ancient Israelites during a time when they employed this strategy with God, who required they bring a thithe of their flocks and fields to provide food for the temple class or Levites. It was also used to provide for widows and orphans. The people were encouraged further to bring in offerings above the tithe.
And the people gave, they brought in their thithes, but not all of it. They held back in their giving in order to insure they had enough for themselves. They didn't always bring in the very bestt as it could also produce the best. They gave less to God and kept more for themselves, just in case. It was logical, it made perfect sense, it was totally wrong and cost them more than they knew.
God spoke through Malachi saying, "Bring in the whole thithe that there might be food in my house. Test me in this and see if I will not open the flood gates of heaven pouring out such a blessing that it cannot be held" (Mal 3:10). What they did not know was that giving to God according to faith is not a capital loss but a capital investment. There was no need and, in fact, no way to truly hedge against God. God's promises are a certainty, man's efforts are always in doubt.
What about you? Do you hold back on giving what you feel led to give, just in case you get in a pinch or to insure you have enough reserve? Even setting money aside, do you find that when you "let go and let God" that you tie a string on your problem, drawing it back from time to time to attempt to manage it? Do you hedge on your faith? Jus' Askn.
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