Malachi 3:6-12
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Malachi 3:6–12 “6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.”
I love how verse 6 starts out. For I the Lord do not change.
There is this common misconception that God between testaments somehow changed. The Lord does not change at all, and that is good thing.
Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
And even though God is the same. The Israelites are not. So when you study scripture Most of the time, when the Israelites are referred to as the children of Jacob, it's a rebuke for their disobedience. From what I learned this week It's a reference to the name of their forefather before the divine blessing was bestowed. Yet, even though they were faithless, God would remain faithful to them, as He was to their father, Jacob. Their rebellion has led them far from God, but restoration is still possible if they desire change.
God's Indictment of Israel for Withholding Their Tithes and Offerings
MALACHI 3:7-10A
God is telling them how to be reconciled
The word how is used six times in the book of Malachi. As in the book of Judges, where the people in their typically ignorant fashion were making a habit of interrogating God, here too in Malachi they ask,
"God, how can we return to You?" This is not a question of clarification, but one of disputation.
"How can we return when we've never gone away? God, what are you talking about?"
The word translated return can also be translated as "repent." It's an “about-face" in military talk. You are walking forward and on a dime, you do a one-eighty.
"Repentance" is the restoration of a relationship, Its a reconfirmation of commitment with someone. In this case the Israelites are invited to renew their relationship with God.
One man said.. If you are walking through the woods and you do not record your steps, it's difficult to retrace them. How much more difficult it is when you do not realize you are lost! The children of Israel, God's chosen people, are in a precarious situation. They stand shamelessly before a holy God and respond, "God, how can we return? We aren't even lost" Before you scoff, understand how easy it is for you to fall into the same trap today. We may say, "Far from God? I am not far from God! I go to church every week, pastor! My kids are in a Christian school. How can you say I am far from God?" God may reply with the same tone: "You do not think you have strayed, but you are far from Me." It takes consistent and deep personal evaluation to determine our spiritual state before the Lord. Fortunately, NT Christians have the inner working of the Holy Spirt, something to which the Israelites were not privileged with.. God puts His finger on the pulse of the people's rebellion. In response to their inquiry, God explains that they are suffering because they have withheld "the tenth and the contributions."
Remember in this book so far God has questioned the Israelites and the priests because of their lack of faithfulness.
For example remember what Malachi 1:8 “8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.”
God wants our best. not the rest. Another example…
Malachi 1:13 “13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.”
At the core of the Israelis problems was their hearts.
The way we use our money indicates where our heart is.
If you read scholars they make it clear..The word tenth in verses 8 and 10 means "ten percent * All that God was demanding of His people was the least that was required under the law. Ultimately, though, the Jews gave above ten percent. For instance, the Israelites were expected to contribute money toward festivals and feasts, as well as to the sacrifices in the temple. By totaling every offer-ing, the people gave roughly 23 percent for the purpose of maintaining the temple of God and the priests who served within it.
There is much and I mean much debate on whether or not we as NT Christians should tithe I will talk more about that at the end but let me tell you some things from my study of this text.
These are some thoughts I have heard people suggest that believers are mandated to contribute a tenth of their goods, and that the local Church is considered the storehouse, a replacement for the temple. Against this assertion, there are those who claim that we are not required to give a tenth of our income; rather, we have no financial obligations since we are under grace. This reasoning states that because of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are liberated from offering a tenth of anything and free to give as the Spirit leads Walter Kaiser and Lloyd Ogilvie state, “Christians are not governed by any law that commands us to give a tenth of our earnings to God; however, it must be noted that the practice of tithing precedes any provision of the Law of Moses"
In my study I really liked how one man said.. grace never expects less; it always demands more. If we are not required to give a tenth based on the OT law, since we are not under the law, then, should we give any less than the OT saints did now that we are under grace? The answer is No! We should give more, as a spiritual act of worship. Ten percent can be used as a guide for giving, much like training wheels on a bicycle guide those learning to ride. We should seek to show our worship to the Lord through our giving and, therefore, should never be satisfied with presenting the bare minimum.
No other practice allows you to exercise your faith and trust in God like giving.
The second challenge to grace-inspired giving is when to give. Yes, we should give out of the abundance God has given us, but we rarely feel like giving. When people are left to their own devices and given the freedom to determine what they can give and how often to give, few ever give as they should. We should not give to God because we are under obligation to tithe, we should give because He has already given us the inexpressible gift of His Son Jesus Christ,
Malachi is calling out the givers heart for a lack of giving and lack of true worship.
God doesn’t need your money—He wants your heart. A closed hand can’t receive, but an open, generous hand makes room for God’s blessing. When we cling tightly, we actually block what He longs to give.
That’s why Malachi 3 is so powerful. God makes a bold promise: “Bring the full tenth… Test Me… see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing without measure.” It’s the only place in Scripture where He invites us to test Him in finances. Israel thought, “We can’t afford to give.” God replies, “You can’t afford not to. Test Me.”
The “floodgates” picture is the same word used for the waters of Noah’s flood—an overwhelming outpouring. God says, “Trust Me, and I will both provide and protect.” Whether the devourer is pests, drought, or armies, God promises to shield His people when they walk in financial faithfulness.
And He goes further: obedience brings reputation and restoration. Just as He promised Abraham, God would make His people a blessing to the nations. A land full of peace, provision, and delight—if they honored Him first.
For us, the lesson is clear. What we do with God’s resources shows where our hearts belong. Money reveals whether we live for the kingdom or for ourselves. None of us will stand before the throne wishing we’d spent more on us—but many will wish we had invested more in Him.
And when Israel failed, Christ succeeded. He gave Himself fully—obedient even to death—becoming the greatest outpouring of God’s blessing for all people. In Him, the promise of Malachi finds its fulfillment.
Lets talk more about money these are principles I live by…
The disciplined use of Money
The disciplined use of Money
God owns everything you own. Not just 10%
26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.
2. Giving is an act of worship.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
3. Giving reflects faith in God’s Provision.
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
4. Giving should be Sacrificial and Generous
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
5. Giving reflects spiritual trustworthiness
10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
6. Giving = Love not legalism
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
7. Give Willingly, Thankfully, and Cheerfully
verse above.
8. Giving an Appropriate response to real needs.
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
9. Giving Should be Planned and Systematic
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
Notice the time frame. each gets paid differently give accordingly.
notice each of you..
notice it says he may prosper. God has always taking care of us as we give to his church.
10. Generous Giving Results in Bountiful Blessing.
38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Malachi 3:10 “10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
When was a time you thought you were too sinful for God to forgive you? How has He shown Himself faithful to His covenant through Christ?
Why do you think we rarely feel like giving, even when we have an abundance?
How do you think New Testament Christians should think about the tithe?
