Over the past Christmas week, I’ve been reflecting on a passage of scripture that has gradually gotten deeper and deeper each time I think about it. This particular passage is quoted frequently in reference to generosity, but today, I wanted to draw out more of the spiritual depth in it.

The passage is Malachi 3:6-12

6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

First, God establishes His authority and mercy and that He doesn’t change; therefore, the descendants of Jacob have not been wiped off the face of the earth.

Second, God exposes an issue. They constantly turn away from Him and they are robbing Him.

Third, God gives the remedy. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.

Fourth, if they bring the whole tithe and offering into the storehouse, then they would not be under a curse. God would pour out a tremendous blessing, so much so, they won’t be able to contain it.

Here are the spiritual implications: if you feel far from God, maybe you’re robbing Him. Specifically in withholding what is due to Him. Second, your tithe and offering should be an act of worship! It is one way that we can return to God and understand His heart. When you give in church, is it an act of worship from your heart? The time of offering in church should be a continuation of the worship service. Third, do you realize that giving your tithe and offering is spiritual warfare?! God said, “You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe.”

I’d like to share a personal experience from this past Christmas week about giving. First, giving is one of the greatest and spiritually beneficial activities you can participate in. Second, when you openly and freely give, you experience peace, contentment and joy. All of which money cannot buy. I will not go into details. However, this past Christmas has been one of the best and most rewarding Christmases my wife, Kate, and I have ever had. Not because of stuff, but because of the blessing we could be to other people. We’ve really felt like God has thrown open the floodgates of heaven and poured out so much blessing that we’ve not had room enough to store it.

In the American culture, we’re so blessed that we gauge our success and happiness based on what we don’t have. ‘If I could just have that higher paying job, then I’d be content because we’d have enough money.’ ‘If I could just win the lottery, then all my problems would be solved forever.’ ‘I would give my tithe and offering to the church if my income wasn’t so strapped by my debt.’ You get the idea. What’s your excuse? What is your heart holding onto? What are you robbing God (and yourself) of?

If you want another great lesson in giving, check out Andy Stanley’s “Be Rich”.