Malachi 3:8-12 (NASB) “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.
Key Tithing Terms (Malachi 3:8)
Malachi 3:8 …In tithes and offerings…
Tithes Defined
Incorrectly Defined — Ten percent of one’s income.
Correctly Defined — Ten percent of all land produce and every tenth animal. Tithes totaled over 20% annually and over 30% every third year. Money was never “tithed” under the law.
Are Christians supposed to tithe? Click here for more info.
Offerings Defined
Incorrectly Defined — Money given that goes beyond the first ten percent.
Correctly Defined —Animals, grain, oil, and wine used by the priests to atone for sins daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.
Key Tithing Terms (Malachi 3:9)
What is the Curse?
Malachi 3:9 …You are cursed with a curse…
Incorrectly Defined — Bad mojo caused by a person not giving ten percent of their income to their local church. Items purchased with “cursed” money maintain a damning residual effect that can result in job loss, car crashes, and premature and untimely mechanical breakdown.
Correctly Defined — The result of imperfectly keeping the law for those under the law. These ghastly curses are located in Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Key Tithing Terms (Malachi 3:10)
What Is The Whole Tithe?
Malachi 3:10 …Bring all the tithes…
Incorrectly Defined — Tithing from one’s gross income.
Correctly Defined — Meticulously following the Levitical Tithe, The Festival Tithe, The Charity Tithe, and providing every tenth animal. Additionally, the Levites were required to give a tenth of their tenth to the priests.
Did you know that there are three tithes in the Old Testament? Click here for more info.
What Is the Storehouse?
Malachi 3:10 … into the storehouse…
Incorrectly Defined — The storehouse in Malachi 3:10 is the local church.
The Storehouse Correctly Defined — A large pantry or barn to store excess food at the temple.
What Is Food in Malachi?
Malachi 3:10 …That there may be food in My house…
Incorrectly Defined — The bread of life and the meat of God’s word.
Correctly Defined — Food, in Malachi 3:10, is food. The Levites and priests needed to be fed while serving.
Testing God
Malach 3:10 …And try Me now in this…
Incorrectly Defined — Double dog daring God by questioning His character.
Correctly Defined — Trusting God to honor Deuternonomy 28:1-14.
The Windows of Heaven
Malachi 3:10 …If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
Incorrectly Defined – Esoteric favor overtaking a person.
Correctly Defined – Rain for crops.
What Is The Blessing In Malachi 3?
Malachi 3:10 …And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
Incorrectly Defined – Usually, money or other financial windfall. It can also be salvation or marriage intervention
Correctly Defined – A harvest so massive that the storerooms are not big enough to store everything
Key Tithing Terms From Malachi 3:11
Who Is The Devourer in Malachi 3?
Malachi 3:11 …I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes..
Incorrectly Defined – Satan, the enemy, the devil, or anyone or anything blocking God’s blessing.
Correctly Defined – Locusts or other crop-destroying pests.
What Is The Fruit in Malachi 3?
Malachi 3:11 …and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe…
Incorrectly Defined – Sadly I must say that I’ve heard and read a person stating that tithing would prevent miscarriages. Hopefully, this person has repented of this lie.
Correctly Defined – Fruit is fruit. Not babies or any other over-spiritualized concept.
Tim manages a $ billion + loan portfolio. He loves to write and teach about biblical stewardship. He has authored three stewardship books including The Profit Dare. His 4th book, Savvy Stewardship will be released in April 2024. He hosts The Profit Dare and Sola Melodica YouTube Channels.
He has an MBA from Cornerstone University and a Certificate in Behavioral Finance from Duke University.
Tim is a former church planter, youth pastor, and short-term missionary.
