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RebeccaJ
Guest
Malachi is a Messianic prophecy, which has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.How many times should God tell us something? These two times are related and very important. The scripture in Genesis is refering to Jacob’s covenant with God in which tithing is part of the covenant. This is the covenant where God becomes the God of Jacob (Isreal.) “then shall the Lord be my God.” (Genesis 28:20-21)
Everyone who reads Malachi chapters 3 and 4 should understand that he is prophecying about the time shortly before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Mal 4:5) or in other words the Lord’s second coming. Malachi tells us that the “sons of Jacob” must return to the ordinances of the Lord. “Retun to me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord of hosts.” But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (Malachi 3:6-7) This sets up the context to understand the next verse on tithing.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Bring the tithes into the storehouse…” (Malachi 3:8-9)
The OT laws regarding tithing belong to the 613 Mitzvot. Jesus fulfilled the law, our covenant is in, through and with Him. Jesus taught to care for the poor and widowed. St. Paul taught to provide for the needs of the church. How much is never prescribed. We are to give prudently, without caring more for ourselves than we do for others. It is up to the person’s ability and conscience. People can care for others via non-monetary means.