THE PELICAN!

‘Pelican’ photo by Rui Omelas CC Attribution, 2.0.

Did you know that pelicans are tithers!  They give away at least 10% of their catch of fish to ‘kleptoparasites’, seabirds like the seagull and tern that steal food from other birds!  These birds are known to sit on the pelican’s back and wait for escaping fish as it empties sea water from its pouch, or, believe it or not, jump into its mouth and grab a ‘bill of fish’!  Of course, this ‘tithing’ of the pelican is not voluntary, but it doesn’t seem to mind these obnoxious ‘klepto’ birds!
And it doesn’t go hungry!                                  
God takes care of it and everyone seems happy!

A pelican is beautiful bird!  See photo above.  They can have a wingspan of up to 9.7 feet, be 5.7 feet long and weigh up to 24 pounds, depending on the species.  Like all critters, God has given them incredible abilities and a body that protects them from their remarkable stunts in search for food.  They can spot fish from 60 feet above the water and begin their ‘high dive’ by folding their wings back and entering the water at a 90-degree angle.  Just before hitting the water, they rotate their body slightly to the left to protect their esophagus and trachea.  You’ve heard of ‘air bags’!  Well, what took us so long to use them for our protection?  Pelicans have used them forever!  They have them under their skin that cushion the impact of the water when they ‘high dive’ for fish!  Once they hit the water, they open their mouths and their ‘gular’ pouch attached to their beak fills with fish and two gallons of seawater.  And unlike us, it can drink seawater because it has glands in its nose that desalinate (remove salt) from the water it drinks!

We’re not letting anyone rob us willingly and thank God we don’t have to deal with ‘klepto-parasites like the pelican, but we are still called by scripture to tithe!!!  I’m sure you are familiar with Malachi 3!

‘Will a man rob God?  Yet you have robbed Me!  But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.  You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the Lord of hosts; and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord of hosts.’  Malachi 3:8-12.  NKJV.

We certainly don’t want to be guilty of ‘robbing God’!!!!

And look at the reward for giving our tithe!  He will, ‘open for you the windows of heaven…And He will rebuke the devourer for your sakes and you know who that is.  He’s the one who makes your car or appliances break down, sends storms to rip your roof off, sends sickness etc. and etc.
He’s the one who, ‘Steals kills and destroys.’  John 10:10.
Tithe and God said He would rebuke him.  Stop him from stealing and destroying what belongs to you!

I have a theory!  This theory has never been tested to my knowledge, but I believe it is true.

The tithe is 10% of your income that we give to God through the church.  This money belongs to God as written in Malachi.  You will never see it!  You will either give it to God, or find yourself giving it to the devourer in the form of payments for car or appliance repair, damage to your property or hospital bills.  Make sense?  We see the evidence of this in our lives!

And remember the blessings of giving!

‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’  Luke 6:38.

‘Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.’  Proverbs 3:9-10.

BE A GIVER!
YOU WILL BE BLESSED!