Malachi 3:10

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.

When we start a round, we have an idea of a number we’d like to post. Usually, it is no more than five strokes better than our previous best ever round. No one who averages a 92, tees off and realistically expects to shoot a 65.

When Christ is in our life, our expectations should be high. D.L. Moody was quoted to have said, “If God be your partner, make large plans.” We are all guilty of shortchanging our possibilities with self-fulfilling limitations like “I’ll never be able to pray like Deacon Jones” or “Ill never teach a Sunday School class like Sister Jackson.” Notice that we personalize our limitations without considering the empowerment from Christ. We are usually correct in stating that “I” have limitations. He or she certainly has limits, but the possibilities are endless when we act in concert and in agreement with Christ.

Jesus promises to give us above and beyond what we could ever imagine. However, God’s blessings are dependent upon our own faithfulness. We are to give our tithes, time and talents to Him freely and generously. He guarantees we will not be able to handle the many blessings if we are faithful in this regard.

He wants our faithfulness to “prove him right.” The only deficit is with our thinking and lessened expectation as to what God will or can do in a given circumstance. If we give crumbs, it is crumbs we will get in return. Our plans need to be available to suit God’s blessings. It has been said, “God isn’t going to put a chandelier in a Haunted House.” Thus, we have to prepare ourselves to be able to handle the “poured out blessings.” These blessings are gifts from God and not from the world. Therefore, they must be used to uplift His name and to further the gospel. Let us have high expectations today and keep our windows open!