Faith & Finance Fridays
Reflect • Commit • Equip • Apply

Malachai 3:8-10
Would Anyone Rob God?

Apply: Embracing Being Financially Fearless

Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve explored a difficult passage together. Malachai 3:8-10 asks us to reflect on the ways in which we might be robbing God; something many of us probably haven’t ever considered. We might say that we’re fulfilling our obligatory tithe; yet by not committing to tithing joyfully, we still rob Him.

Today might be our final day talking about this passage, but it doesn’t have to be the final day living it. If we equip ourselves with tools for creating a joyfully giving heart, we can apply that practice every day and embrace financial fearlessness.

Last week, we touched on a reason why we might be afraid of tithing. Worry that people will misappropriate funds meant for God isn’t the only thing that might hold us back. We might be afraid that by giving our first fruits back to God, we might run out and not have enough for ourselves and our family. That’s where becoming financially fearless comes in, because there’s no running out with God.

“Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” – 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8

We do need to be careful here and remember that we don’t tithe in order to make God give us more. He sees into our hearts and knows whether we’re returning to Him out of a desire to honor Him or out of a selfish expectation that He’ll give us more in return. We can, however, look to passages like this as reminders of God’s provision. In fact, the New Testament is filled with more such reassurances that God will take care of us.

“Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” - Matthew 6:26,31, 32b-33

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” – Matthew 7:11

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” – Luke 6:38

With so many assurances, how can we doubt? When we embrace the conviction that God’s provision is abundant, not finite, we can also embrace financial fearlessness. This change in outlook can alter how we look at tithing. Suddenly, that 10% is just a guideline that gives shape to the practice while we approach not just tithing but life with an open hand and open heart.

We referenced many different passages this month, and yet they all tie to Malachai. Again and again God gives us these reassurances that He will provide for us, and still we rob Him of what’s His.

By embracing a life of financial fearlessness, we can receive with gratitude, give with joy, and remain open to whatever God chooses to put into our hands next.

Reflection Question:

How can we move beyond simply meeting an obligation to becoming financially fearless in our giving, with hearts that are genuinely willing to return our first fruits to God?

Next Week:

Next month, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 becomes more than simply an example of God’s generosity. Join us as we dig more deeply into this passage during the month of Thanksgiving.