Malachi 3:8-12 (NKJV) “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say,‘In what way have we robbed You?’In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heavenAnd pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

One of the biggest sins in the Old Testament was covetousness. The children of Israel were guilty of coveting their money, possessions and financial resources instead of being faithful in giving the LORD their tithes and offerings. God chastised them and explained the enormous benefits of being faithful in giving.  

Covetousness is still as big a sin today as it was in the Old Testament. When I was born again at age 29, the Holy Spirit began to teach and convict me about tithes and offerings. As New Year’s Day approached, I made a resolution to begin tithing effective January 1, 1986. For decades since, I have faithfully given my tithes and offerings to the Lord and have experienced this promise in Malachi 3. We have been through some challenging times, but through it all, the Lord has been faithful and true to His Word.

Perhaps today, you need to make a commitment to obey the Lord in the area of tithes and offerings. Perhaps you’re guilty of robbing God, of being covetous and stingy. Let God set you free, step forward by faith, and watch Him work. (A word of caution: don't turn your tithe into an idol. I have a friend who did that, and the LORD had to teach him a dramatic lesson in idolatry. If you're tithing, don't worship the tithe and consider it a magical casino slot machine. God is a jealous God, and He doesn't want the tithe or anything else to become a false god.)

Let’s think about and discuss these questions:

1. What is tithing? What does it mean for Christians in today's society?

2. How can we avoid turning tithing into another kind of idol?

3. What do you think about the promise of tithing in Malachi? After becoming a Christian, did you insist on tithing and why?