Keeping What Doesn’t Belong To Us

After Israel successfully defeating Jericho, a battle God had won for them, Achan took what belonged to God, and while only Achan and his family disobeyed, the whole of Israel paid the price.

“But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.” (Joshua 7:1 NIV)

When we sin, when we willfully disobey God, then not only will we pay the price, Achan and his family were put to death, but God’s people and the church suffers as well.

God has said in His word of our need to tithe, which is to give ten percent of our income to His house.

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30 NIV)

When we give unto God what belongs to Him, the tithe, then not only will we be blessed as God opens up windows of blessing over our lives, but He will rebuke the devourer that affects not only our lives, but the lives of all those around us, including the church.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! … in tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me … Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this … if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes.” (Malachi 3:8-11a NKJV)

And if we think no one will know, God knows, as He pointed out Achan from all the peoples.

Are you keeping what belongs to God?