IT IS BETTER NOT TO ROB GOD
Malachi 3:6-12
Introduction: The question is asked in Malachi chapter 3, "Will a man rob God?" I could understand a "yes" answer to this question if it was being asked to a lost man, but I cannot understand why a saved man would even think about robbing God. Have you thought lately about all the good things that God has done for you? Have you thought about the way that He gave Himself on the cross to save you, and all the blessings that He permits you to have on an ongoing basis? Yet, there are saved people in this church today who either have or may presently be robbing God.
From this most interesting text, I can prove from the Scriptures that it is far better not to rob God. If you really love God, as you should, why would you ever want to steal from God? Would you steal from your own mother; would you steal from the bank that you do business with? Would you go next door to your neighbor’s house, and steal the gas out of his car. Even with Gas being as expensive as it is, I can’t imagine you going next door and stealing your neighbor’s gasoline. Yet some of the good people that I am referring to, would never think of stealing one cent from someone else, but have been guilty stealing from God. The Bible says that such a person is cursed with a curse. I say again, "It is better not to rob God". In addressing this subject, and also while helping our church, I wish to consider two thoughts this morning. 1. The People’s Rebuke for Not Giving. 2. The Promised Result of Ones Giving.
I. THE PEOPLE’S REBUKE FOR NOT GIVING. (Vv. 6-9).
The Mosaic law had a sophisticated system of giving that was based on the tithe (10%); but tithing predated the law (Genesis 14:18-20). Contrary to what many believe, the tithe continued after the law into the New Testament as these verses clearly show:
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
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Luk 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Our text shows us that when the people failed to give God the entire tithe, they were in fact robbing Him. The giving of the tithe was a way of acknowledging that God owns everything; if you failed to pay your tithe, you were assessed a 20% penalty (Leviticus 5:14-16; 22:14; 27:31-32). God wanted His people to have an awareness of the severity of robbing God. The very fact that God uses the very strong word "rob" shows just how serious that it is to withhold the tithes and the offerings from the Lord.
A. The People Were Rebuked For Their Failure In Giving. (Vv.6-8).
When people do not give, there is a failure. It is a failure involving ones faith, and it is also a failure that involves fear. II Corinthians 8:1-3 shows us that you prove your love by your giving. It calls giving a grace. Notice, these verses:
2Cr 8:1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Cr 8:2
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2Cr 8:3
For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;
When there is not proper Biblical giving taking place, then that is an indication that something Spiritually is wrong. It indicates that one is failing to appropriate the grace that God has for all that we do, which includes the grace that is necessary for giving.
The Nation of Israel was in disobedience because they had departed or "gone away" from the ordinances of God. This disobedience was their failure, and it is the same for those of us who now live in the church age.
B. The People Were Rebuked For Their Faithlessness In Giving. (Cf. V. 10)
When giving is exercised with the proper motive, the giver is demonstrating his confidence in the Word of God. A person that believes the Bible to be the very Word of God will demonstrate it in a very practical way, and will also prove his love for the Lord as he gives. The nation of Israel had gone away, in unbelief from the ordinances of God, and God is seen in our text challenging them to return to Him and "prove" Him, as to His faithfulness, by their giving the tithes and the offerings.
C. The People Were Rebuked For Their Fruitlessness In Giving. (Cf. V.11).
There is a giving principle found in II Corinthians 9:6-8 that shows how God gives when we give. He likens our giving to a farmer planting his seeds. This passage of Scripture also shows the way God wants us to give. He wants us to give cheerfully, with a thankful heart.
2Cr 9:6
But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Cr 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2Cr 9:8
And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:
When unselfish giving is not taking place, then God is not pleased. God may give you a wonderful job with many benefits, but if you selfishly hold on to what He has blessed you with, He may let the devourer of your crops take the blessings away. You may even lose the job, or much worse. People may criticize me for believing and saying this, but I recall several times when I withheld the tithes and the uncanniest things begin happening. You cannot convince me that it was not God chastening me for the purpose of teaching me to trust Him, always.
II. THE PROMISED RESULT OF ONES GIVING. (Vv. 10-12).
This first section of this study shows the way that the Lord describes the Nation of Israel when they left the will of the Lord, and how it showed up in their lack of giving. Now, the Lord is showing what will happen if they would come back to Him. We can compare all of this to the local church. In doing so, we can show the blessings of obeying God, and trusting Him as well. As the song says we should "Trust and obey". To trust Him, and to obey Him is the only way to enjoy the good blessings of the Lord. May we notice some of the real blessings that come from obeying Him, and trusting Him.
A. There Will Be Provisions For The Work Of The Lord. (10a.).
Malachi 3:10a. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,
I know that all of Malachi was written in the economy of the Old Testament, yet God’s Word is to be interpreted, and applied in its entirety to all people in all time periods. The student of Scripture will discover that there are many applications for the local church that comes from the nation of Israel. The reason that this is true is that the principles that we learn from God do not change. This is because Truth never changes. The principles that apply to the nation of Israel almost always apply to the church, as well. This is true when considering the giving principles that are found in this study. The church does not compare exactly to the storehouse, but it does somewhat. Just as there had to be a discipline for giving to maintain the operation of the Old Testament storehouse, there also must be a discipline of giving involving the New Testament Church. When faithful giving is taking place, the work of the Lord can continue to operate allowing the stewardship of giving to function as God intended. As your pastor, I must call your attention to the ongoing responsibilities of each of us who comprises this church. As the overseer, I must first be mindful of the responsibilities that we have in maintaining the ministries that God has entrusted us with, and then communicate to you our responsibility to each other, and to the Lord. Good, faithful giving ensures that we have the provisions to do the work that God has given us to do.
B. There Will Be Prosperity From The Lord. (V. 10b.)
Malachi 3:10 Bring Ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
God is not stingy; He is the great giver. Everything that we enjoy within the realm of creation, He gave. He gave His only begotten Son. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, so says James 1:17. There is a principle that is found in the book of Ecclesiastes that says, Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Ecc. 11:1. This verse describes those who with great courage would set sail with their harvest of grain and go into the foreign countries and sell their goods, bringing their profit back with them. As a giving principle, one will cast his money to the work of the Lord, and God will bring it back in many different ways, as an increased blessing. This is one of the meanings of Give and it shall be given.
C. There Will Be Protection From The Lord. (V. 11)
Malachi 3:11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
This is a great verse of promise that gives comfort to the believer. Just knowing that you will have the protective blessings of God upon you as you give, should make you give with more boldness. Some will say, "I don’t give, but I never have any problems". The Psalmist Asaph learned why this may be the case. It is because God’s goodness leads men to repentance. But Asaph said that such a person who is presuming on God is standing in slippery places. (Psalm 73). Malachi was talking to an agricultural people when he spoke, thus he used agricultural terms. God may let the washing machine or the automobile run longer, and you may be able to stay our of the doctor’s office as God rebukes your devourer.
D. There Will Be Praises For Obeying The Lord. (V. 12).
When it is obvious that you have the blessings of the Lord upon you, people will know it. It will be a part of your testimony. Likewise, when God’s blessings are missing, people will also notice it. When people fail to give, there develops blight upon the church. The people become demoralized, and cannot pay their bills. As we move into this new church, we must assume our responsibilities to take care of what God has entrusted us with. I am convinced that if we have a giving, and a sacrificial spirit in supporting this good work, that God will bring many handfuls on purpose to help us do the work. We will see precious souls come into the church with the same good desire that you have to be good stewards. We are having some dear families who are joining our church who also desire to plug in and do the good work that we do. That is God’s way, and that is so wonderful! God Bless You!
Conclusion: There was a blessing, and there was a curse in our lesson today. I recall many years ago, that I fell on my face in a church in Greenville, S.C. and promised God that I was going to prove God, and be faithful in my giving. I did that over 32 years ago. I kept my word to God, but more than that, God kept His word to me. Today, thirty-two years later, I wonder if there is someone who will do as you pastor did. If so, you will never regret it. That will especially be so at the judgment seat of Christ.
Sermon By Dr. Max Alderman
