Chapter 17—The Message of Malachi
The reproof and warning and promise of the Lord are given in
definite language in
Malachi 3:8
: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have
robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee?” The Lord
answers, “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye
have robbed Me, even this whole nation.”
The Lord of heaven challenges those whom He has supplied with
His bounties to prove Him. “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.”
This message has lost none of its force. It is just as fresh in its
importance as God’s gifts are fresh and continual. There is no difficulty
in understanding our duty in the light of this message, given through
God’s holy prophet. We are not left to stumble along in darkness
and disobedience. The truth is plainly stated, and it can be clearly
understood by all who wish to be honest in the sight of God. A tithe
of all our income is the Lord’s. He lays His hand upon that portion
which He has specified that we shall return to Him, and says, I allow
you to use My bounties after you have laid aside the tenth, and have
come before Me with gifts and offerings.
The Lord calls for His tithe to be given in to His treasury. Strictly,
honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to Him. Besides
this, He calls for your gifts and offerings. No one is compelled to
present his tithe or his gifts and offerings to the Lord. But just as surely
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as God’s word is given to us, just so surely will He require His own
with usury at the hand of every human being. If men are unfaithful
in rendering to God His own, if they disregard God’s charge to His
stewards, they will not long have the blessing of that which the Lord
has entrusted to them....
The Lord has given to every man his work. His servants are to act
in partnership with Him. If they choose, men may refuse to connect
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