The verse in Malachi 3:8 states “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.” This verse raises an important question – what does it mean to rob God?
Tithes in the Bible
To understand what it means to rob God, we first need to understand what tithes are in the Bible. The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth.” Tithing was an important practice in the Old Testament law in which the Israelites were commanded to set aside a tenth of their produce or livestock to support the Levites and priests (Numbers 18:21-24). This tithe was considered holy and belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30-33).
In addition to the tithe for the Levites, the Israelites were to bring a second tithe to Jerusalem to celebrate annual festivals and feed the poor (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Every third year, this second tithe was to be kept within their towns to feed the Levites and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
So tithing was an act of worship and obedience to God, as well as a means of providing for those who ministered in the temple and caring for the poor. It recognized that all one’s possessions ultimately belong to God.
How the Israelites were robbing God
In Malachi’s day, many of the Israelites had stopped bringing their required tithes and offerings. Instead of honoring God with the first and best of their resources, they were keeping everything for themselves. So God accused them of robbing Him of what rightfully belonged to Him.
Malachi makes it clear that their failure to tithe was an act of disregard toward God:
“But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. And you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 1:6-8)
They were keeping the best for themselves and offering blemished sacrifices, showing contempt for God. Tithing was a test of their loyalty and love for God. By withholding their tithes and offerings, they were robbing God of what was rightfully His.
Principles for Us Today
While tithing was part of the Old Testament law, the principle behind it still applies today. All that we have comes from God, so giving back a portion in gratitude and worship is pleasing to Him. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
The New Testament does not specify an exact percentage to give. But it does teach generous, sacrificial, and cheerful giving:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
While we are no longer bound by the tithe, it can be a helpful guideline for giving in a way that honors God. The principle is that we should give willingly, generously, and even sacrificially as an act of worship and thanksgiving to God. Our giving reflects where our heart is.
How Failing to Tithe Robs God Today
When we as Christians fail to give generously to God’s work today, we can be robbing God in a sense as well. While we do not live under the obligatory tithing system, refusing to support the church financially is a form of disobedience and disregard for God’s work. The church cannot thrive and make disciples without the monetary support of God’s people.
Paul explains that those who preach the gospel have a right to receive a living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). Pastors, missionaries, and ministry workers depend on the giving of fellow believers. So when Christians fail to give regularly and generously to their local church and other ministries they support, the work of God suffers. Selfishness and stinginess today can hinder the proclamation of the gospel.
In addition, when we fail to use our finances to help the poor and needy, we are ignoring a huge part of God’s mandate to care for widows, orphans, the hungry, and afflicted. James warns about the seriousness of neglecting those in need:
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17)
How to Honor God with Our Resources
To avoid robbing God and live generously, here are some principles from Scripture to guide our giving:
1. Give willingly and cheerfully: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Don’t just give out of obligation or guilt. See giving as an act of worship.
2. Give regularly: “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up.” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Giving should be part of our regular rhythm of worship.
3. Give sacrificially: “they gave according to their means, as many as were able, and beyond their means, of their own accord.” (2 Corinthians 8:3). God values sacrificial giving over the specific amount.
4. Give in proportion to what you have: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart.” (2 Cor 9:7). Those with more should give more. But even small acts of generosity please God when given willingly.
5. Support your local church first: Your tithes and offerings should go primarily to “the church of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 16:1) This enables pastors and ministers to be supported full-time.
6. Care for the poor and needy: Use your finances to meet urgent needs, support ministries assisting the poor, and empower the disadvantaged. This reflects God’s heart for justice.
7. Fund gospel ministry: Support missionaries, Bible translation, discipleship materials, and evangelistic outreach so more can hear the gospel. Giving enables ministry.
8. Leave an inheritance for your family: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8) We should provide for family, not just give it all away.
9. Excel in giving: “see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Don’t just meet the minimum standard. Excel by giving generously, wisely, and without ostentation.
10. Remember who owns it all: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty…But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-14) Everything we have is from God, entrusted to us for a time and a purpose.
Conclusion
The principle behind Malachi’s stern warning against robbing God is that everything we have belongs to God. Failing to generously give back to Him what is His shows disregard for Him and hinders the work of the gospel. While we no longer live under mandatory tithing rules, giving generously should still flow from a heart of worship, gratitude, and desire to see God’s kingdom advance. When we use all we have for God’s priorities and give freely with joy, we bless Him, others flourish, and we store up eternal rewards.
