The Sun of Righteousness
[ READ ] Malachi 3–4
Robbing God
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.
Malachi 3:6-10
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.
Malachi 3:6-10
After the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, one might expect Malachi’s time to have been a golden age for the nation. But sadly, from his very first words, God uses Malachi to confront Israel’s doubts about His love, their blemished sacrifices, divorce, and other covenant failures. In the shocking words of Malachi 2:3, we see a vivid picture of God’s patience wearing thin.
In today’s passage (Malachi 3:6–10), we learn of God’s displeasure regarding the tithe. I pray I would never hear God say that I have robbed Him. But have I? Have I confused my wants with my needs? Have I prioritized luxury and entertainment over faithful giving? Have I allowed my budget to convince me that generous giving is simply not possible?
Jesus affirmed tithing while also emphasizing adjacent acts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Church fathers such as Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas taught that the tithe fit within Christian duty and represented the floor of giving, not the ceiling. Christian generosity flows not from guilt, but from gratitude for the abundant grace we have received in Christ.
As recipients of the salvation and grace found in Jesus Christ, let us prayerfully consider and live out the words of 2 Corinthians 9:6–9:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
- Jason Rimmer
In today’s passage (Malachi 3:6–10), we learn of God’s displeasure regarding the tithe. I pray I would never hear God say that I have robbed Him. But have I? Have I confused my wants with my needs? Have I prioritized luxury and entertainment over faithful giving? Have I allowed my budget to convince me that generous giving is simply not possible?
Jesus affirmed tithing while also emphasizing adjacent acts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Church fathers such as Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas taught that the tithe fit within Christian duty and represented the floor of giving, not the ceiling. Christian generosity flows not from guilt, but from gratitude for the abundant grace we have received in Christ.
As recipients of the salvation and grace found in Jesus Christ, let us prayerfully consider and live out the words of 2 Corinthians 9:6–9:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
- Jason Rimmer
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ How does the act of giving reflect the condition of my faith and walk?
+ Do I consider my resources as “mine” or as God’s resources for whom I am the steward?
+ How does the act of giving reflect the condition of my faith and walk?
+ Do I consider my resources as “mine” or as God’s resources for whom I am the steward?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Have I ignored the Spirit’s urge to give more? Am I robbing God?
+ Is there sin to confess to clear the way for God to use me in his perfect purpose?
+ Have I ignored the Spirit’s urge to give more? Am I robbing God?
+ Is there sin to confess to clear the way for God to use me in his perfect purpose?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, my income is not mine; my possessions are not mine. The earth is yours and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24). I am your servant and steward, enlarge my heart for your kingdom and bless me with the gift of giving generously (Romans 12:8). Thank you for your love, goodness, kindness and daily mercies. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, my income is not mine; my possessions are not mine. The earth is yours and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24). I am your servant and steward, enlarge my heart for your kingdom and bless me with the gift of giving generously (Romans 12:8). Thank you for your love, goodness, kindness and daily mercies. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is a spiritual mentor with whom I can discuss this passage?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who is a spiritual mentor with whom I can discuss this passage?
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