Lesson 6: God Curses Those Who Don’t Tithe.
Definition
The tithe is 10% of our total income given to God faithfully.
Scripture Reading
Malachi 3:8-9, “8 ‘Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.”
Main Points
- NOT TITHING IS CONSIDERED ROBBING GOD: God considers the tithe His, thus when we don’t give it back He considers us robbers, v. 8.
- JESUS TOOK THE CURSE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW: In the New Testament, believers are redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13). However, this doesn't mean that God will not judge Christians.
- IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, GOD CAN BRING JUDGMENT—EVEN CURSE-LIKE CONSEQUENCES—ON DISOBEDIENT BELIEVERS: God curses in the New Testament primarily involve His discipline with the hope of change in behavior but it can lead to judgement like with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
Summary
Giving God our whole tithe is a serious command and disobedience can result in withheld blessing and reward—and, in some cases, strong divine discipline or judgment.
Application
- Don’t rob God by keeping His tithe.
- Repent if you have been robbing God by stealing His tithe.
- Give God your tithe faithfully.
Confession
The tithe was “implied” with Cain and Abel; “revealed” to Abraham, “established” in the Law of Moses, and is still “relevant” for today. It comes with a “blessing and curse,” it must be “qualitative,” a “priority,” and a “faithful” practice in our lives. The tithe “advances” the Kingdom of God, tests our “maturity,” breaks the attitude of greed through “obedience,” is “mandated” for all, and brings us into “partnership” with God and His church.