One of the greatest traits of God that I love is His perfect timing. Often, I find myself studying a passage of scripture, only to realize later that day or week that it is exactly what I need to remember or reference in a conversation. God allows me to hear a great sermon or Bible lesson, and it becomes precisely what I need to serve God that week. God's timing is always perfect.

God's Perfect Timing and Israel's Indifference

In our passage today, Malachi 3:6-12, we see that God wants an opportunity to bring blessing to both Israel and the nations. However, it seems like Israel did not care at all about God. Let’s read the passage and answer three simple questions:

1. Who is Malachi speaking to?

2. What is the problem Malachi addresses?

3. What is God's challenge to Israel?

Understanding Malachi’s Audience

Malachi's audience is the country of Israel. They have settled into the land after exile, the walls are rebuilt, the temple and the sacrificial system are operational, and yet, God sends Malachi to challenge their lukewarmness. Israel likely didn’t realize they were lukewarm, because people who are lukewarm generally don’t even recognize it in themselves.

Malachi is not calling out those who have been faithfully giving. There must have been people in Israel following the guidelines of tithing, which required giving between 23-30% to the temple. Faithful Israelites needed to give between 37-45% of their total income when considering other offerings and sacrifices. These people were truly sacrificing. Malachi was calling out three specific groups:

1. Those who gave nothing: These individuals were even stealing their neighbor’s sheep for worship. It cost them nothing to be part of the religious system in Israel.

2. Those who gave irregularly: These people gave when they felt like it rather than consistently when God provided for them.

3. Those who gave without worshiping: Some were tithing and sacrificing but it was not an act of worship; it was merely a duty or a bill.

The Problem Malachi Addresses

Malachi addresses the issue of robbing God. God had already pointed out their poor sacrifices, lack of worship, idolatry, and faithlessness. Now, He highlights their hearts. The problem was not their possessions but what they did with them. They lived for themselves, giving God only what was left over, demonstrating their wicked hearts by not bringing everything to the storehouses. By giving nothing, irregularly, or without worship, they showed their devotion to robbing God.

God was blessing them with everything they needed. He had brought them out of bondage and restored their walls and temple. Despite this, the Israelites wanted more for themselves, revealing their wickedness.

God's Challenge

In response, God presents a challenge: "Test me" (Malachi 3:10). This is an amazing promise to God’s people. It's the only time God permits His people to test Him in the area of finances. People might say they can't afford to give, but God says they can't afford not to. He promises to open the floodgates of blessing if they are obedient.

God also promises to protect them. Verse 11 can be translated as preventing pests from devouring their crops. The test is clear: be faithful financially, and God will provide and protect.

Application for Today

We live in the age of grace, so how does this apply to us? We are not required to tithe a certain percentage as in the Old Testament, but we should heed God’s warning. We should all be givers and give sacrificially as an act of worship. God has blessed us abundantly, and He wants us to be a blessing to our community.

Conclusion

God wants an opportunity to bring blessing to us and our community. This is only possible through the genuine generosity of God's people. By being faithful in our giving, we can be a testimony of God’s amazing grace and a blessing to those around us. Let us respond to God's perfect timing with generous hearts, ready to give our best to Him.

Small Group Questions

1. Reflection on God's Timing: Can you share a personal experience where you felt God's perfect timing in your life? How did it impact your faith and actions?

2. Understanding Lukewarmness: What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? How can we identify if we are becoming lukewarm in our faith and giving?

3. Faithful Giving: Malachi called out three groups: those who gave nothing, those who gave irregularly, and those who gave without worship. Which group do you relate to the most, and why?

4. Heart and Possessions: How does our use of possessions reflect our heart's condition? What steps can we take to ensure our giving is a true act of worship?

5. God's Challenge to Test Him: What are your thoughts on God's challenge in Malachi 3:10 to test Him in the area of finances? Have you ever tested God in this way, and what was the outcome?

6. Application of Generosity Today: How can we apply the principles of generous giving from Malachi 3:6-12 in our modern context? What does sacrificial giving look like for you personally?

7. Blessings to Community: Discuss how genuine generosity can transform a community. What practical steps can our small group take to be a blessing to others through our giving?

If you want to learn more about God’s expectation for our grateful giving, Shepherd Thoughts exists to help you live out your faith. If you or a friend needs support or resources to love God and love others more, please reach out to us today. We’d love to help.