Do Not Rob God

Topic: Tithing
Passage: Malachi 3:7–18

October 27, 2020

Commentary

In this passage we find that Israel was robbing God by not bringing their tithes and offerings and the result was famine due to the pests taking the vegetation and vines without grapes (Deut. 28:28-40). The tithe was part of the Mosaic Law (Lev. 27:28-40) which required that a tenth be given to the Levites. In addition, a tenth of the remaining nine tenths was to be set apart and consumed in a sacred meal in Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5-6, 11, 18). Then every third year another tithe was taken for strangers, the fatherless and widows (Deut. 14:28-29). Thus, the portion was clearly specified, and every Israelite was obligated to bring to the Lord approximately 22 percent of his yearly income.
In contrast the New Testament teaches proportionate giving “as God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:2). It teaches that every believer owes 100 percent of what he is and what he has to God. The question then, is not only how much we give, but how much of God’s money will we keep for ourselves. We give because He gave, not because He commanded; we give because we want to, not because we must. The storehouse mentioned in verse 10 refers to a special room or rooms built on the side of the temple for keeping the tithed grain. In I Corinthians 16:2 we are told “Upon the first day of the week to lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him”. Bible scholars suggest that the phrase “lay by him in store” means that each person is to have a private fund set aside and available to give as the Spirit directs, both regularly and occasionally. 

Application

II Corinthians 9:6 says that those who sow sparingly reap sparingly and those who sow bountifully reap also bountifully. God will hold me accountable for what I keep as well as what I give.

Malachi 3:7– 18 (NET)

7 From the days of your ancestors you have ignored my commandments and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you say, ‘How should we return?’ 8 Can a person rob God? You are indeed robbing me, but you say, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and contributions! 9 You are bound for judgment because you are robbing me—this whole nation is guilty.

10 “Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my temple. Test me in this matter,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “to see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out blessing for you until there is no room for it all. 11 Then I will stop the plague from ruining your crops, and the vine will not lose its fruit before harvest,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “All nations will call you blessed, for you indeed will live in a delightful land,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

13 “You have criticized me sharply,” says the Lord, “but you ask, ‘How have we criticized you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord of Heaven’s Armies? 15 So now we consider the arrogant to be blessed; indeed, those who practice evil are successful. In fact, those who challenge God escape!’”

16 Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the Lord and honored his name. 17 “They will belong to me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “in the day when I prepare my own special property. I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you will see that I make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not.

Illustration: God Became The Senior Partner in The Cheese Business

Years ago a young man began a small cheese business in Chicago. He failed. He was deeply in debt. “You didn’t take God into your business. You have not worked with Him,” said a Christian friend to him. Then the young man thought, “If God wants to run the cheese business, He can do it, and I’ll work for Him and with Him!” From that moment, God became the senior partner in his business. The business grew and prospered and became the largest cheese concern in the world! That young man, J.L. Kraft became president of the Kraft Cheese Company! (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #1854).

What do you think? Let us know below!

Comments are closed.