Malachi 3:7–12 | Straight Outta Context Series

Few topics stir as much emotion in church as money. As soon as the pastor mentions giving, people tend to shift in their seats, check their watches, or quietly hope the sermon ends early. But the Bible has a lot to say about money, and if we’re going to be faithful followers of Jesus, we need to understand it—not in half-truths or guilt trips, but in context.

That’s why in our Straight Outta Context series, we come to Malachi 3, one of the most misquoted passages in all of Scripture when it comes to giving. You may have heard it preached like this: “If you don’t give 10% of your gross income, you are robbing God. And if you don’t tithe, you’re under a curse.”

That kind of teaching is not only out of context—it’s not biblical.

What Malachi Actually Said

In Malachi 3:7–12, the prophet confronts Israel’s disobedience. They had turned from God, even withholding the tithes that were meant to support the temple and care for the community. God, through Malachi, calls this “robbing Him” and warns of consequences.

The famous line “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse” was a command for ancient Israel under the Old Covenant. The tithe—literally a tenth—was not just 10% of money, but included crops, livestock, and resources. Some scholars note that Israel’s total giving obligations added up to 20–30%. The purpose? To put God first and to sustain the temple and priesthood, since the priests couldn’t own land or wealth.

So yes, Malachi was a strong warning—but it was given specifically to Israel under the law.

What It Does Not Mean

Here’s what Malachi 3 does not mean:

• It doesn’t mean that Christians today are under a curse if they don’t give 10%.

• It doesn’t mean God’s blessings are a vending machine—drop in your tithe, get back material wealth.

• It doesn’t mean preachers should guilt people into giving by calling them thieves.

That’s manipulation, not biblical teaching. God’s blessings are not earned by percentages. They flow from His goodness, not our merit.

What It Does Mean

So what can we learn from Malachi 3 today? Quite a lot.

The principle behind the tithe was this: put God first.

Israel’s failure to give reflected a deeper problem: they had pushed God aside. Their offerings weren’t about money—they were about obedience, trust, and worship. When they withheld, they weren’t just keeping grain or livestock for themselves. They were declaring with their lives: “God, you’re not first.”

That’s the heart issue Malachi was addressing.

The New Testament and Giving

Fast forward to the New Testament, and you won’t find a single command that Christians must tithe. Jesus said He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it—and in doing so, He raised the bar.

Instead of compulsory tithing, the New Testament emphasizes generosity, stewardship, and cheerful giving. Paul tells the Corinthians: “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)

Notice the difference:

• The Old Covenant tithe was about law.

• The New Covenant gift is about grace.

We don’t give to avoid a curse. We give because God has already blessed us in Christ.

Why This Matters Today

There’s still confusion in churches everywhere. Some pastors preach a flat 10% requirement. Others swing to the opposite extreme and say giving doesn’t matter at all. But Scripture calls us to something richer: grace-filled, gospel-centered generosity.

When we give, we’re not paying a bill to God. We’re worshiping Him. We’re putting Him first. We’re trusting Him with what’s already His.

And when we give joyfully, freely, and sacrificially, God uses it—both to grow His kingdom and to grow our hearts.

The Real Question

So the real question isn’t, “Am I tithing?” The real question is, “Is God first in my life?”

Because if He is, giving won’t be a burden. It’ll be a joy. We won’t see it as something we “have to do,” but as something we “get to do.”

The tithe in Malachi taught Israel to put God first. The call to generosity today teaches us the same. It’s not about compulsion. It’s about the condition of our hearts.

Final Thoughts

Malachi’s warning was for Israel, but the principle still resonates: when we hold back, we miss the blessing of trusting God fully. Not necessarily financial blessing, but the blessing of peace, joy, and freedom that comes when we put God first.

So whether you give 2%, 10%, or 30%, the real measure isn’t the number. It’s your heart.

Do you see your money as yours—or as God’s? Do you give reluctantly—or cheerfully? Do you give to get something in return—or because you’ve already been given everything in Christ?

That’s the true test of giving.