Embezzling From God

Malachi 3:6–12 (NLT)

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

INTRODUCTION:

In Moore v. United States, 160 U.S. 268, 269 (1895), the Supreme Court defined embezzlement in the following terms:

Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom such property has been entrusted, or into whose hands it has lawfully come.

One of the most sinister cases of embezzlement in world history was the case of Bernie Madoff.

Former New York City fund manager Bernie Madoff is long gone, having passed away in prison in April 2021 at the age of 82. But the Madoff story was revived in 2023 with the successful Netflix documentary "The Monster of Wall Street," which retold the tale of the mastermind behind the biggest Ponzi scheme ever recorded.

Madoff, a former chair of the Nasdaq with close ties to government financial regulators, was already a Wall Street legend in the 1980s and 1990s. His company, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, was the sixth-largest market maker in S&P 500 stocks. Yet over the course of 17 years, Madoff, assisted by company managers and back office staff, ran a massive Ponzi scheme that promised investors eye-popping returns.

Instead, Madoff and his crew were inventing stock trades and fabricating brokerage accounts, and pocketing the investment money. By 2008, at the height of the Great Recession, Madoff's luck ran out, and a run on deposits and the resulting investigation revealed that his firm stole over $19 billion from 40,000 investors.

Madoff was arrested and charged with 11 counts of fraud, and he was found guilty and sentenced to 150 years in prison in June 2009.

God's Word is clear that we are to be good stewards of the material possessions placed in our care by God. He is the owner of everything. (Psalm 24:1) (1 Corinthians 10:26)

Psalm 24:1 (NLT)

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

1 Corinthians 10:26 (NLT)

26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

You and I are commanded to be faithful stewards or managers of that which God has placed in our care. To fail to obey God in caring for what is His, is embezzlement! Notice what God says through the Prophet Malachi about this subject:

I- GOD'S APPARENT PROBLEM WITH US. (Malachi 3:6-9).

Malachi 3:6–9 (NLT)

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.

A. God's problem with us is personal. (Malachi 3: 8. A ).

Malachi 3:8 (NLT)

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

1. The general question.

a. “Should people cheat God?”

2. The personal Answer.

a. Yet you have cheated me!

B. God's problem with us is pointed. (Malachi 3:8 B.)

Malachi 3:8 (NLT)

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

1. The surprised question?

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

a) Designed to be a self-righteous cover up.

2. The pointed answer.

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.”

a. The “tithe” or “tenth part” (maʿaser ) refers to the general tithe of the produce of the land prescribed by Mosaic law. ( Deut 12:6, 11, 17).

Deuteronomy 12:6 (NLT)

6 There you will bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, your offerings to fulfill a vow, your voluntary offerings, and your offerings of the firstborn animals of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12:11 (NLT)

11 you must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored.

Deuteronomy 12:17 (NLT)

17 “But you may not eat your offerings in your hometown—neither the tithe of your grain and new wine and olive oil, nor the firstborn of your flocks and herds, nor any offering to fulfill a vow, nor your voluntary offerings, nor your sacred offerings.

(1) Devoting to the Lord a tenth of one’s produce as representative of the whole was an expression of faith and a recognition that all one’s possessions were a gift of God.

b. The “offering” (terumah ) may be a gift or contribution made to Yahweh or his sanctuary.

(1) The offering may include gifts of produce from the land along with material goods (e.g., construction materials and garments) or personal valuables (e.g., gold, silver, precious stones).

II. GOD'S APPOINTED PROGRAM FOR US. (Malachi 3:10 ).

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

A. The plan - “Bring.”

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

1. The preferred plan is for us to “bring” (personally) our tithes and offerings as an act of personal worship.

a. You and I are to be a part of the church when it meets (Hebrews 10:25)

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

2. The ultimate gift is ourselves. (Romans 12:1-2).

Romans 12:1–2 (NLT)

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

B. The person. “You.”

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 <you> Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

1- God wants our stewardship to be personal.

a. The command to bring has an understood personal emphasis.

(1) Just like other passages of scripture:

(Matthew 11:28)

Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

(John 4:21)

John 4:21 (NLT)

21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

C. The proportion. “tithes”

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 <you> Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

(Leviticus 27:32 ).

Leviticus 27:32 (NLT)

32 Count off every tenth animal from your herds and flocks and set them apart for the Lord as holy.

· The example of Abraham. (Genesis 14: 20).

Genesis 14:20 (NLT)

20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

1- There are 39 biblical references to the tithe.

2- New Testament references to the tithe. (Matthew 23:23.; Luke 11:42.)

Matthew 23:23 (NLT)

23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Luke 11:42 (NLT)

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

D. The place.

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 <you> Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

(1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (NLT)

1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.

2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

E. The purpose

1- To provide for ministry in the church and to those in need.

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 <you> Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

a. The tithe was used to support the temple personnel and the helpless members of society. (Neh. 13:10; Lev. 27:30–33; Num. 18:21–32; Deut. 12:5–18; 14:22–29; 26:12–15)

F. The proposition.

Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

10 <you> Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

1- Bring the tithes and I will bless you!

2- This is the only time in scripture that the Lord challenges us to put Him to the test!

Note: Matthew 4:7

Matthew 4:7 (NLT)

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

See also Luke 4:12

Luke 4:12 (NLT)

12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

III. GOD'S ABUNDANT PROMISE TO US. (Malachi 3: 10-12)

Malachi 3:10–12 (NLT)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

A. The promise of provision. (Malachi 3:10-12 ).

Malachi 3:10–12 (NLT)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

1. The quality of the provision.

2. The quantity of the provision. (Philippians 4:19).

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

B. The promise of protection. (Malachi 3: 11).

Malachi 3:11 (NLT)

11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

1. The devourer rebuked.

2. Developed crops.

Conclusion:

In Light of John 316., “Will a man rob God?” Will you?