Through The Bible in a Year - May 21, 2026

"By offering polluted food upon my altar... When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil?... Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." -Malachi 1:7-10; 3:10

God had delivered Israel from slavery. He'd walked with them through the wilderness. He'd given them the Promised Land. And how did they show their gratitude? They gave Him their garbage.

The law required lambs without blemish—what was precious and treasured offered in gratitudeto God. Instead, these people brought blind and lame animals, rotten fruit, spoiled food. Animals they didn't want. Offerings that cost them nothing.

They were making God into a Goodwill store—a place to dump what you don't want.

God's response: "This is strange gratitude. I've delivered you, walked with you, took care of you, and your thanks is to give me spoiled, rotten garbage?"

We think we would never do that. But what are we really giving God?

Do we give Him our leftover time—praying only five minutes before bed when we're too exhausted to stay awake? Do we give Him leftover money—whatever happens to be in our wallet after we've bought everything we want? Do we give Him leftover energy—serving only when it's convenient and doesn't strain us at all?

God isn't asking for you to compensate him for his grace. He is asking for you to rejoice in His purposes and do what you can to aid them. When you give from your heart—what is dear to you, what you believe will be dear to God —you're uniting your heart to His in love for his purposesand in dependence upon his provision.

And here's the beautiful promise of Malachi 3:10: "Test me in this," God says. "You give what is dear to you, uniting your heart to mine, and I will come into your life and provide what is best for your future."

This isn't the prosperity gospel. God isn't promising to make you rich. He's promising something better. He says, "I will work above all of creation to pour from heaven what is best for those who love me, who are depending upon me. I will provide what you need—for your heart, for eternity."

Respond: Take an honest inventory this week:

• Time: Am I giving God my best hours or my exhausted leftovers?

• Money: Am I giving generously from what I have, or just what I don't miss?

• Energy: Am I serving with joy or just when it's convenient?

God doesn't want your trash. He wants your heart. And when you give from your heart, you discover something wonderful: joy in giving. Not obligation, not duty—joy.

Prayer: Father, I confess it’s easy to offer you only my exhausted time, my spare change, my leftover energy. Forgive me for treating You like a Goodwill store, giving You only what I don't want. I want to give from my heart, to unite my heart with Yours in love and dependence. Show me what You're asking me to give—time, money, service. Help me give joyfully, knowing You will provide everything I truly need. In Jesus' name, Amen.