Every time we get a paycheck, it’s like a test. Who are we first going to thank? Is it going to be Citibank? Is it Verizon? Applebees? Who are we going to honor? That’s the test. And that’s what Malachi 3 is all about. Malachi 3 is the only place in the Bible where it straight out says, TEST God. In verse 6, it reads, “I am the Lord and I do not change!” The reality is that God can’t change. He can’t get any better because is already the best! There is an Old Testament and a New Testament, but there is not an old God and a new God.
In verse 7 the Lord speaks of ordinances. Simply put, an ordinance is a principle of ordinary behavior. In other words, this is something that is normal for us to do. It’s not something that is unique or weird. It is the way it should be.
The book of Malachi is about us returning to God in our faith (ch 1), in our family (ch2) and our finances (ch3). Chapter 4 is God returning to us.
- Tithing is a Test.
The tithe means tenth. In the Bible, ten represents testing – Plagues in Egypt, Commandments, Isreal tested in the wilderness, Jacob’s wages changed, Daniel tested, Virgins tested in Matt 25.Essentially, if I tithe I am blessed, if I do not, I am cursed! (vs 8-9). People like to use the argument that the principle of the tithe was in the Old Testament therefore under the law, and we are no longer under the law but under grace. Think about this. If it was wrong under the law, it would stand to reason that it would still be wrong under grace, right? So therefore, if it was right under the law, is it now wrong? No way! Tithing was right under the law. Matthew 5:17-20 – the righteousness of Grace always exceeds the righteousness of the law! Vs 21-22 shows that grace actually requires MORE than the law required! The law says don’t do it (ie. adultery) … grace says don’t even think about it (ie. looking with lust).
- Tithing is Biblical
Genesis 14: 18-21 – Tithing is established 500 years before the law when Abraham brings a tenth to Melchizedeck (Jesus or a picture of Jesus).
Genesis 28:22 – Jacob gives 10% (first fruits) 400 years before the law.
Deuteronomy 26:1-2, 13-15 – Basically, I am taking the tithe from my house and putting it in God’s house and I will not use it for any other purpose.
Matthew 23:23 – Tithing plus justice, mercy and faith – all are equally important.
Hebrews 7:1-8 – With tithing, mortal men collect the tithes, but Jesus is the one who sees and receives it. Let that be our focus! - Tithing is a Benefit
2 Chronicles 31:4 – The Bible speaks of a system of support so that the priests and levites could devote themselves to the Word and work of God. Once people began to follow this way of giving and living, the blessings began to radically pour in.
The whole point was wrapped up in an illustration where a wealthy man was going away and gave three different men $10,000 a week. He said the only thing I ask you to do is give $1,000 a week to my wife. You can do whatever you want with the other $9,000, but make sure you give the first $1,000 to her. The first guy cut a check her every week for $1,000. Faithfully. The second guy gave $2,000! Just because. The third guy gave $700 the first week, $400 the second and not at all the third week. The man came back and praised the two who were doing what he asked and then said to the third, why are you not doing what I asked you to do? Why is it so hard? You can keep 90% to do whatever you want! That woman, my wife, is the love of my life – she is so important to me. I asked you to do this because I want you to learn how to give and I want to take good care of her. I trust you to do this. But since you could not do it, I will take it away from you and give it to the other guy who was giving $2,000. The picture is that Jesus’s bride is the church. We give to the church because he asked us to give a tenth of what HE gives us to support the ministry of his bride. It’s important to Him. And when we do it, He says… the rewards are going to POUR DOWN!