JANUARY 2, Malachi 1:1

Who was Malachi? He was the last Old Testament prophet who lived probably during Nehemiah’s time. That was the time when the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, rebuilt the temple and the walls surrounding Jerusalem. This could be around the year 430 B.C., a time when things were easy and life was good. This can cause the hearts of man to grow cold, and lose interest in the things of God.

The sins that Malachi wrote about are the same as those that Nehemiah faced: absence of personal obedience to the Lord, especially amongst the priests who were supposed to be closest to God and living the most holy lives (Malachi 1:6-8). There were marriages with foreigners which led many men to idolatry and to have many wives (Malachi 2:10-12), as well as robbing of God of funds that were to be used for God’s temple (Malachi 3:7-10). Can we see such sinful things happening now, where men care more for things that attract them than the love of God? One of the most common things that can cause men to fall is also what we see everyday – money or the things it can buy. Many use money for their own desires than for God’s work or to help others. Do you have pocket money? Do you give some to the Lord?

Both Peter and John won $100 in a contest.
Who is greedy in the way they manage their money?

Answer is __________

Thought: God wants us to be good stewards of all His blessings
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to use the blessing of money and wealth wisely and not selfishly. Although I am still young, help me to start right. This I pray in Jesus’ name – Amen.