What Happens When We Stop Tithing

We come to the famous chapter on tithing. A passage every preacher hopes will sink into the hearts and minds of God's people as many are not nearly as generous toward the Lord's work as they think they are. 

Malachi 3:6–7 (ESV) “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?’

The section begins with a statement of the Lord's consistency. He is immutable. The Lord doesn't change because He does not NEED to change. And in this passage, the context is that of mercy. He doesn't change His mind regarding Israel. Notably, the name Jacob is mentioned. We do well to remember Jacob's vow to God regarding the blessings he might experience from him. During his escape to Laban, Jacob dreamed of a ladder with the Lord standing above it. He awoke and acknowledged the Lord's presence in that place, setting up a pillar of remembrance. He called it "Bethel," meaning "house of God". Then he vowed:

Genesis 28:20–22 (ESV) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”

The vow to tithe in Jacob's life was based on the Lord's undeserved goodness toward him. He was the second-born son, yet he inherited the blessings of the first. He deceived his father, yet the Lord stood by him in sovereign choice. And now, in Malachi 3, the prophet's subtle reminder of Jacob in this chapter opens the door to a conversation about where Israel was not living up to their end of that vow. They were distant from Him, and He called them to return (see verse 7). Yet they were oblivious to the issue.

Malachi 3:8–9 (ESV) 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.

Not bringing to God what belonged to Him is robbery. Now, in truth, everything belongs to the Lord, but the law stipulated that Israel was to bring 10% of its income each year for worship in the Temple, 10% to the Levites, and 10% every three years to the poor. A percentage that added up to 23% per year. But they had slipped. They were holding back that which was supposed to be offered. 

The Lord then commands them outright:
Malachi 3:10–11 (ESV) 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.

I’m captivated by the promises of both provision (open windows of heaven) and protection (rebuke the devourer). Not only does honoring God financially bring more blessings into our lives, but it also helps us retain them. However, many Christians struggle to trust the Lord in this area. How foolish when the simple truth is that all we have is because of His goodness in the first place. And we do well to remember the Lord looks to reward faith (Hebrews 11:6). He wants to bless! He wants to show you off!

Malachi 3:12 (ESV) Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

When we trust God financially, we are the beneficiaries. God needs nothing. But He takes great delight in blessing those who don't deserve it so that the world can behold His goodness!

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