Honouring God With The Tithe

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing me.”
(Malachi 3:8-9, NIV)

Money.

Just that word can make us shift in our seats a little, can’t it?

Some of us chase it. Some of us fear it. Some manage it well. Others can’t seem to hold onto it at all.
But no matter what your relationship with money looks like, if you’re a follower of Jesus, there’s a divine call on your life to steward your finances God’s way.

In Malachi 3, God doesn’t hold back. Through the prophet, He confronts His people head-on:
“Will a mere mortal rob God?”

That phrase – mere mortal – reminds us who we are and who He is. We are created. He is Creator. Everything we have flows from His generous hand.

Think about it. The house, the car, the phone, the job – every bit of it traces back to His goodness. The very breath in your lungs that allows you to work and earn – that’s His gift to you.

When we return the tithe, we’re not paying a bill or losing something valuable. We’re acknowledging that everything we have was God’s to begin with.
Tithing is not about money – it’s about trust, obedience, and gratitude.

God could have asked for all of it. Instead, He says, “Return to Me just 10%.”
That’s astonishing generosity! He entrusts the other 90% to us – to manage wisely, to bless others, and to live responsibly.

Now, some say, “But tithing is Old Testament law – doesn’t grace make it irrelevant?”

Let’s think about that.
The Old Testament says, “Do not murder.”
But Jesus deepens it: “Don’t even harbour anger in your heart.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

The Old Testament says, “Do not commit adultery.”
Jesus says, “Don’t even look with lust.” (Matthew 5:27-30)

Do you see it?
In the New Testament, grace doesn’t lessen the standard – it raises it.

If that’s true for matters of the heart like anger and lust, how much more should it be true for money – the very thing Scripture says can compete for our worship? (Matthew 6:24)

God isn’t a demanding tyrant, sitting on a throne waiting to collect payment.
He’s a loving Father who knows how powerfully money can grip our hearts if we let it.
That’s why He invites us into the discipline of tithing-so we can live free from greed, anchored in trust, and open-handed before Him.

So today, pause and pray:

“Lord, search my heart. Reveal any fear, hesitation, or mistrust when it comes to giving. Teach me to honour You first – with my tithe, my offering, and my heart. Lead me into Your path of obedience and blessing.”

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.