Breaking the Back of Lack

I learned something at our Bible study the other night. As our teacher was delving into the scripture, he brought out a deeper meaning to passages we might ordinarily skim over superficially, missing something important.

For instance, 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."

In addition to giving financially, we were told that this could apply to all parts of our lives, because "tithe" means a tenth, part of a tenth, or a part. "We are to bring all 'parts' of our life to Him, for it says to bring all the tithes," he explained. When we do this, we are becoming more like Jesus and his teachings on forgiveness, giving, treatment of others, trust and on and on.

Our leader pointed out when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes in the miracle of feeding the 5,000, God indeed poured out more than they could contain, because they gathered 12 baskets full of leftovers!

He also stated that the word, "storehouse" can mean "treasury." Matthew 6:20-21 says, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." When Jesus had the disciples bring the 5 loaves and two fish to him, he was giving insight into how he operated in the kingdom. First, he looked up to heaven. Then he blessed the loaves and fish, then he broke the food and gave it to the disciples to distribute.

"When Jesus did all this, He was accessing the treasury in heaven! When he broke the loaves and fishes, he was breaking the back of lack! The disciples had focused on their lack when they said all they had was this small amount of food, but Jesus shows us the pattern for living in the kingdom!" our leader stressed. Thanksgiving ("When he had given thanks," Matt. 6:11) blessing, and worshiping God!

"Trust and reliance on God breaks lack!" our teacher expounded. "By worshiping God he entered into the kingdom, or storehouse/treasury, where the blessing was stored up!" He continued, "There is no lack in God's kingdom!"

Luke 6:37b says, "Forgive and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

The instructor pointed out that "give" and "forgiven" are from the same word. As a part of blessing others, we can forgive. Obeying this command of Jesus seems to be intrinsically related to opening the windows of heaven and accessing heaven's blessings!