The Tithe Denied

An Exhortation to Faithfulness - Message 3 - The Tithe Denied - Mal. 3:1-15

Outline: Where is the God of justice? – Malachi 2:17

I. He is Coming – vs. 1-5
A. Suddenly – with little warning, but not unannounced (vs. 1)
B. For Sanctification (vs. 2-4)
C. For Sanction (vs. 5)

II. He has not Changed – vs. 6-7 – Hebrew 13:8
A. Perfect Holiness
B. Forever Merciful
C. Return to Me and I will Return to You

III. You Need to Change – vs. 8-12
A. You Have Robbed Me of Tithes and Offerings – Neh 13:10
B. Tithe for Temple Service and Social Obligations (percentages vary) – Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:25-32; Deut 14:28-29
C. The Tithe as a Tax – Matt 22:21
D. New Testament Giving

1. Systematic Giving – Weekly Offerings – 1 Cor 16:2
2. Sacrificial Giving – 2 Cor 8:1-4; Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6:20
3. Cheerful Giving – 2 Cor 9:6-15
4. Giving while Depending upon God – 2 Cor 8:5-7

E. Repent (vs. 10-12)

IV. Useless Service to an Unjust God – vs. 13-15
A. Harsh Words
B. For All We Do, We Don’t Get What We Need – Isa 58:3-9
C. God is not Just – Psa 73:2-14