📖 SERMON 190 — Malachi 3:8–10
Date: Not listed
Text: Malachi 3:8–10 (with Malachi 1:6–14; 3:7–12)
Preacher: Rev. G. S. Kok
Subject: Old Testament Giving
INTRODUCTION
One of the most dangerous subjects for a minister to preach about is money. Ministers are sometimes told not to preach on giving because “nothing hurts a person more than to touch his pocketbook.” However, the Bible has much to say about giving, and when we refuse to hear what God says, we commit a great sin. There is a close connection between a person’s pocketbook and his soul. Your attitude toward money reveals much about your spiritual condition.
A. It had to honor God
1. Giving had to reveal high respect and esteem for God.
2. The people in Malachi’s time failed to do this. They offered the lame and the sick—those they could not use anyway.
3. Giving that does not honor God becomes an abomination and brings a curse rather than a blessing.
B. Offerings had to reveal sincere love and devotion
1. They had to be voluntary and willing, flowing from a life of consecration and obedience.
2. God repeatedly taught that offerings of the ungodly or hypocrites were worthless. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”
A. The beginning of sacrificial giving
1. Cain and Abel brought offerings.
2. Noah built altars and sacrificed.
3. Abram offered sacrifices unto the Lord.
4. Perhaps these sacrifices arose from repentant hearts remembering that God clothed Adam and Eve with skins.
B. Sacrifices prescribed through Moses
1. At Sinai God gave detailed instructions.
2. They formed part of the ceremonial law.
3. They foreshadowed the coming of the great sacrifice, God’s own Son.
4. Through them the believer expressed hope of forgiveness and gratitude for forgiveness.
5. They emphasized the costliness of redemption.
6. Through them Israel worshipped God, their Redeemer.
A. Early references
Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek.
B. Tithes prescribed by Mosaic law
1. Given to the Levites responsible for worship.
2. They supported the tabernacle, the temple, and the worship services. “That there may be food in My house.”
3. Tithes were distinct from sacrifices.
C. God claimed the tithes as His own
1. To withhold them was robbing God. “Ye have robbed Me.”
2. They must be offered willingly, not reluctantly.
3. God blessed the people when they gave faithfully and from the heart.
A. Alms different from sacrifices and tithes
1. Not offerings for sin or atonement.
2. Not for worship expenses or the Levites.
3. Many fail to distinguish these and treat all giving as almsgiving.
B. Alms as gifts of charity to the poor
1. The poor were to receive alms.
2. God commanded generosity so none would be hungry among His people.
3. Jesus taught about almsgiving in the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus warned against abuses
Many scribes and Pharisees gave only to be praised.
Jesus said giving must not be done to be seen of men.
If done for praise, “they have their reward.”
Alms must spring from compassion and love, not self-glory.
Jesus does not mean that all giving must be anonymous.
If that were true, one could not claim a tax deduction or report giving for church records.
Some refuse systematic giving and hide behind that verse to justify their stinginess.
CONCLUSION
Much more could be said about Old Testament giving—many offerings for many occasions, given publicly and openly. Scripture sometimes names the givers and the amounts. Reading the Old Testament, one realizes God demanded much from His people. We would complain even more if required to bring all those offerings.
But thanks be to God, He gave the one sacrifice most burdensome—Himself. Jesus Christ became poor for us. He fulfilled all sacrifices once for all. We no longer must bring sin offerings, burnt offerings, or offerings to redeem the firstborn.
Next Sunday will consider New Testament giving.
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