Today’s reading looks at something that isn’t always fun to talk about: tithing. This is a subject that I think has a lot to teach us, but it’s something that is often misunderstood. Today, we’ll look at the original context of what is happening in this passage, along with the spiritual reality of what it can mean for me and for you today. As I’ve heard it said before, tithing is God’s path to force us to be blessed. But not blessed in the ways that we may expect.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning. It’s good to be with you on this great Wednesday morning. It’s great to be together with you as we continue reading through the Book of Malachi, finishing up our Old Testament Minor Prophets. We’ve been in the Minor Prophets for a while, but we’ve almost completed this journey. Today, we’re going to read a passage that I can almost promise you’ve heard a sermon on before.

This passage touches on a well-known concept: tithing. Malachi addresses the people’s failure to give their tithes and offerings, calling it robbing God. This leads to a curse upon the nation. God challenges the people to bring the full tithe to the storehouse, promising to bless them abundantly if they do so.

Talking about money is a challenging subject for many preachers. I was raised with the notion that discussing religion, politics, and money in public is impolite. However, understanding the original context of this passage helps us appreciate its significance. In the conquest of the Promised Land, the Lord divided the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, except for the Levites, who were designated as priests and did not receive land. The tithe was instituted to support the Levites, ensuring they had sustenance since they could not farm or produce their own food.

The spiritual context of tithing is giving 10% of your income to the Lord, traditionally to your local church. Tithing is a spiritual practice and a way to say thank you to God for all He has done. It is not about legalism or checking off a box to show faithfulness. Tithing is an act of obedience and gratitude. My wife and I tithe, and while it can require sacrifices, it is a way of acknowledging God’s provision and blessing in our lives.

Tithing should not be seen as a way to coerce God into giving us something in return. It is not a transactional relationship where if we tithe, God is obligated to bless us materially. God has already given us everything we need through Jesus Christ. We give out of gratitude for His grace, forgiveness, and blessings. It’s an act of worship, similar to how we live our daily lives to glorify God.

I encourage you to consider how you give to your local church and to embrace tithing as a spiritual discipline. God may not reward you with material wealth, but the joy and spiritual blessings are far more valuable. Thanks for joining today. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with Malachi 3:16 and following, and then move on to chapter 4. Have a great day.