Malachi 3:8-15 – The principle of tithing

Tithing, a practice deeply rooted in our religious heritage, was essential to Old Testament law. Under the Mosaic Law, a “tithe” - one-tenth of their produce, livestock, and income to be given by the Israelites. This was to support the Levites, the priestly tribe, the temple, and the poor.  The tithe was considered holy and belonged to God.

Numbers 18:21 talks about the tithe to the Levites. God says, “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.” Then, there is the festival tithe described in Deuteronomy 14:22-27. This is the tithe given to fund religious festivals. The third type of tithe is the charity tithe. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 describes it as given every three years to support orphans, widows, and foreigners.

In Malachi 3:8-15, we see that tithing is not just a financial obligation but an act of trust in God’s provision. It is an acknowledgment that everything we have belongs to God and a way to support His work and care for those in need. This act of trust is a powerful reassurance of His faithfulness.

God in Malachi 3:8-9 accuses the people of Israel of robbing him. They responded by asking God how they had robbed Him. God then told them that they had robbed Him by withholding their tithe and offerings as stipulated.

God then issued them a challenge. He offered to bless them abundantly until they could not hold His blessings if they faithfully brought their whole tithe to the temple storehouse. A storehouse is a place in the temple where the people’s tithes are stored. The “windows of heavens” signified God’s abundance.

In verses 11-12, God makes a profound promise. He pledges to protect their crops from pests, ensuring a bountiful harvest. This promise of protection and abundance is a source of hope, especially for agricultural communities.

Evidently, the people had been murmuring against God. Verses 13-15 suggest that they complained that serving Him did not bring them material prosperity or benefit. They seemed to envy the prosperous wicked and those who did not obey God’s command. This is a thing we must not emulate. Never malign God, no matter what we are going through, because God never has any ill intention for us.     

Tithing is a trust. God expects us to faithfully give back some of what He has blessed us. God's faithful blessing will be evident when we are steadfast in this practice. Not to tithe is to rob God. When we do so, abundance will follow.