JANUARY 25, Malachi 3:8

It is unlikely you have ever stolen anything from someone or from a shop. But many of us rob God. No, not in the way we discussed yesterday. Some of you may tithe and give offerings but we still rob God. How is that possible? It is possible if we rob God of time. Now, what does this mean?

Nicky was a Primary Four student who went to church regularly. Dad always taught him to tithe and so Nicky did exactly that – every week without fail. But when Nicky left church, he soon forgot about God. He is what some will call a “Sunday Christian” – a Christian only on Sundays or in church, but totally back to his own sinful self on other days. He will spend a lot of time in studies, does very well in school, but hardly turns to the Bible or reads his Junior RPG. He devotes time to improve himself: he takes tuition classes, learns the piano, and goes for advanced swimming classes. But he does not improve himself spiritually.

What is Nicky guilty of? Besides being a Sunday Christian, he is robbing God of time. One of the reasons he is a Sunday Christian is because he robs God of the time he ought to spend reading and thinking about God’s Word. If he did that, he would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and become closer to God. You see, the Bible is not just another book. The Bible is the Word of God, that has power that no other books nor men have. God’s Word changes lives and to change his life, Nicky must spend time with God daily, doing his Quiet Time and reading the Junior RPG.

Dear child, are you regular in doing your Quiet Time and reading your Junior RPG? Do you go to Him in prayer daily? God will understand if occasionally you forget or are too tired to do so. But if you consistently do not have regular Quiet Time, there is no way you will grow spiritually.

Thought: Do I do my Quiet Time every day?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I may have been lazy at times but please help me to try my best to have my daily Quiet Time and prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.