Apathetic worship of God corrodes community, marriage, finances… God’s responds to these apathetic people: “I have loved you.” For us, the cross stands as the greatest demonstration of love the world has seen. It is a towering landmark for us in times of doubt, suffering and trouble.

Malachi 2:17-3:5 The Messenger of the Lord 2:17. A. God is accused of being unjust. They say that he has blessed people who do evil – so he must delight in them.

3:1a In response: “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me.” B. The Lord will come to vindicate his justice. This is a prophecy of John the Baptist who called Israel to repentance before Jesus

v.1b. “The Lord will suddenly come to his temple” – “suddenly” at a point in time This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came to the temple.

v.1c. “the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight… is coming.”

vv.2-3. a. He will refine and purify the Levites God starts by refining the spiritual leaders.

v.4. b. He will restore proper worship – making their worship pleasing to the Lord.

v.5. c. He will judge Israel: for 1) adultery, oppressing the poor, ignore the sojourner and do not fear him.

Malachi 3:6-12 v.6. A. God’s commitment to his covenant preserves his rebellious people God could have destroyed the Israelites but is committed to save them.

v.7a. B. God calls to his people, ”Return to me and I will return to you” “How shall we return?” – they do not see that they have left God.

vv. 8-9. C. His people were giving leftovers The tithe is 10% of income. It was the minimum of OT giving. Contributions at feasts and festivals put giving at around 23%.

We are NT believers, for us, grace is always more than a minimum.

Heart check: being far from God is revealed in their lack of giving.

This revealed their hearts were distant from God

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21

vv. 10-11 D. When his people give faithfully, God promises to provide & protect The only time the Bible says we can test God.

Provide: “I will open the windows of heaven pour down blessing.” Protect: “I will rebuke the devourer” – protect them from destruction, loss

“Nations will call you blessed – a land of delight.”

Honoring God with your money - Everything we have is the Lord’s. - We are called to be good stewards of 100% of what we received - We are called to more than tithing – we are called to generosity.

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency[e] in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Priorities for money 1. Give, 2. Save, 3. Live