Day 41: God Isn’t Affected by Inflation

We have looked at God’s promise to bless us in Malachi 3:7-12, and the condition that is required to receive this blessing. Earlier, Haggai had given an equally vivid picture of the blight that was affecting the lives of his people. So, let’s compare what God says to Israel in Malachi 3:7-12 with Haggai 1.

Essentially, He’s rebuking them for the same thing, for not putting Him first in their finances. This is what He says:

"Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Consider your ways! You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes.'" (verses 5-6, NASB)

Have you ever felt that about your money, that all the money you put into your purse somehow slips out through a hole and you didn't get the benefit of it? God says that to Israel and He says this:

"Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified…" (verses 7-8, NASB)

God says, "Do what I require of you and I'll take care of that devourer that's making holes in your purses and eating away your livelihood and your income."

Verse 9: "You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away…" (NASB)

Isn't that happening to many in these contemporary days, especially in these days of inflation? We look for much, but it somehow turns to little and when we get it home, we just can't make it go around. The curse Haggai describes can be summed up in one word: insufficiency. God says there's a reason: You're not putting Me first and as a result, I've "…called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labour of your hands" (verse 11, NASB).

What was the big error that Israel was making, both in the days of Haggai and in the days of Malachi? In essence, it was that they were not putting God first in their finances. They were trying to do their own thing. They were 'looking after number one', as we say, and neglecting God. As a result, though they worked hard and seemed to be earning sufficient money, they had never enough to go around. Does that sound familiar? Do you meet people like that today? Consider God's remedy. Throughout all dispensations, one basic principle continues unchanged: Stinginess toward God provokes His curse, but liberality releases His blessing.