What Does Malachi Say?
Many Bible prophecies are dual, that is, they were given for the particular time period in which they were written, or shortly after, as well as for long-range prophecies for the future. A look at Malachi, a book of the Minor Prophets, will quickly dispel any notion that it was intended for that time period only. See, for example, Malachi 3:1–5 and Malachi 4:1, 4–5. In the context of a great prophetic event yet to take place, we find this indictment:
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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 (Mal. 3:7–10).
Does this sound like tithing is no longer required, and that it should not be done today? This chapter of Malachi prophesies the coming of Christ and the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. In it we find the world under indictment for theft. We are admonished not to forget the Law of Moses (Mal. 4:4). Yet, people have forgotten the Law of Moses which includes God's Law of tithing. Christ will return to ". . . discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not" (Mal. 3:18). Tithing is an act of worship! God does not change (Mal. 3:6). How will we be worshiping God in that day?
Next: Tithing and the New Testament
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