Robbing God (Malachi 2:17-3:12)

• The whole book is written as an ironic conversation between the people of Judah and God.
  • It’s about God being faithful to his promises and it’s a call from God for the people to be faithful to him.
• This messenger is John the Baptist.
  • He calls people to repent and to turn back to God.
  • Matthew 3:11 says: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
  • Malachi is looking forward to a time where God will bring justice.
• The Levites were the people of Israel, they were suppose to lead the people in godliness.
• Jesus is going to come and he is going to replace the priesthood.
• Jesus is going to come, once for all as a sacrifice for all of humanity.
  • Hebrews 7:27 says: “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
  • When Jesus comes and dies on the the cross he deals with the corrupt priesthood, he deals with the issue of sin. When Jesus comes again he will deal with the issue of justice.
• When we repent, God forgives.
• Judah is accusing God of failing to act justly, God sees the sin in the world and he will act.
• Tithing was about recognising Gods blessing to you over the past year.
  • The people were called to set aside 10 percent, to give back to God.
  • Refer to Deuteronomy 14:22-23 & Deuteronomy 14:28-29
  • We often think about tithing in giving 10 percent, but in the Old Testament tithing was about recognising what God has given you.
  • We are called to use what God has given us and to give generously and to use it in God’s service.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.“
  • God calls us to live under grace and not law.
• We are called to give generously.
  • We want to honour God with our money.
  • The more generous we are in the money that we give to God, the more we can use that in his service.
  • God works though our generous giving.
  • When we think about our money, start with God first.
  • “Are we using our money wisely in the service of God and for his glory?”
• Our hope is looking to the future, our hope is heaven.
  • Matthew 5:11-12 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.“
• Money has the capacity to corrupt.
  • It has the capacity to turn us away from Christ.
  • Be content with where God has placed us.
• Whatever God has given us, let us be thankful for what God has given us.
• God may not have provided for all of our wants, but he has provided for all of our needs.
• We should use our money to support those that are in need.
• We should invest our money in sharing the Gospel in the community around us.
• We want more people to share in God’s blessing, we want more people to love Jesus.