Tithing

"Open the windows of heaven"

One additional doctrinal implication of Malachi's promise that may be important to consider, is that the promise "I will open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it" is not limited to temporal and financial blessings.

Notice that Malachi does not specify that these blessings are temporal in nature. In fact, the context of this profound promise from Malachi is actually spiritual. In Malachi 3:1-2 the prophet frames the chapter as being about preparing for the Lord's coming, and he asks "Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? (Malachi 3:1-2)

With that in mind, that this chapter is an answer to that question, he goes on to describe the wickedness of covenant Isreal who have turned away from the Lord (verse 7) and Malachi makes an important promise "Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts"  In response to this very significant promise, Malachi says "But ye say, wherein shall we return?" or in otherwards "How? How do I turn my heart again to Thee and repent?" Notice that the verse you begin this talk with is the direct answer to that question - "How do I turn to Thee so that thou will be with me?"

With that in mind, it seems that the most significant blessings included in the promise that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings go far beyond the temporal. We probably think of financial and temporal blessings because our action is to pay tithing. But perhaps that requirement is not truly a financial consideration either - but one of putting God first in our life and submitting our will and desires to His.

Looking at this highlighted list you might notice it is largely focused on the temporal. Yet there may be some listening who have always faithfully paid tithing and have not had steady employment, not enjoyed health, lost their homes and possessions to natural disasters or financial difficulty etc. But they have had the greater blessing of temple covenants, including the promise of eternal families and eternal life. They have been forgiven of their sins when they repent, and have enjoyed the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as they have remained faithful.

That's not to say that there aren't great temporal blessings involved as well! but might it be meaningful here to include some deeply meaningful spiritual blessings you have received as a result of your consecrated sacrifice to turn to the Lord and place Him first in your life in this way? 

Just something to think about - and weaving the spiritual in with the temporal may help all members raise their understanding and vision in a way that could give greater motivation to be faithful to this sacred principle.

It also might be worth reading back through the entire talk and looking for small ways you could include the idea that these blessings are both spiritual and temporal. (As an example, the sentence which follows this list could be adjusted just slightly to say "These blessings, both temporal and spiritual - and many others - are evidence....")