MALACHI 3:8

“‘Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings.”’”

I have never been called a robber. Have you? I have never seen myself that way either. How about you? To be considered a robber you have to take something that isn’t yours. You have to keep it for yourself. You have to withhold from someone something that really should be in their possession. Let’s see what God says about this.

In today’s verse, the Lord is still talking and calls the people robbers because they have withheld the tithes and offerings that belong to Him. In the next few verses (9-12) we will look at the next few days, God continues to address this issue. There were several categories of tithes and offerings which they were, by Law, required to give:

1. the first fruits
2. the annual half-shekel Exodus 30:13-15;
3. the offerings made for the tabernacle and the second temple at its first erection; it is used of ordinary offerings;
4. of the tithes of their own tithes, which the Levites paid to the priests Numbers 18:26, 28-29;
5. of the portions of the sacrifice which accrued to the priests Leviticus 7:14.

APPLICATION

So, how does this apply to us as New Testament believers? We are not told specifically to tithe, but we are told to give. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 tells us, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” What a great passage. God promises blessings as we give.

How about the very words of Jesus in Luke 6:38? “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.” Again, as we give, God blesses us. What a deal, right?

I have often said I wish I had millions of dollars to bless others with. I don’t and probably won’t. I can, however, ask those who can give in that way to give so that others can hear the gospel and come to Jesus. Will you give as you are able this season to bless at least one other person? God will bless you for that.

Father, send Your resources on us so that we can bless others.