Malachi 3:10

Context

Malachi is a prophetic book from the period after the return from exile, when the temple had been rebuilt. The people's faith had grown cold: the priests offered blemished sacrifices, and the people married foreign wives and neglected the tithe. In 3:8, God rebukes the people for withholding tithes and offerings, asking, "Will a man rob God?" The "storehouse" in verse 10 refers to the temple storerooms, and the tithes gathered there supported the Levites and priests (see Nehemiah 13:10-12).

Interpretation

• As an ongoing obligation: Proponents of this view note that the tithe existed before the Law, in the time of Abraham (Genesis 14:20), and that Jesus said the tithe should not be left undone (Matthew 23:23). On this basis they regard it as a principle still binding on believers today. Many Korean denominations and churches hold this position.
• As a principle: Others hold that the tithing regulation itself was part of the Mosaic Law and was fulfilled in Christ, and that New Testament believers give voluntarily, "according as he purposeth in his heart" (2 Corinthians 9:7), rather than by a fixed percentage. Even on this view, Malachi is read as teaching the principle of giving God what is rightly His.
• The meaning of "prove me": Whereas Scripture elsewhere forbids tempting God (Deuteronomy 6:16), this verse alone invites the people to put Him to the test. Noting this contrast, many interpreters read it as an invitation to trust God's faithfulness and obey.

Controversies and Issues

The tithing controversy is a long-standing issue in Korean Protestant churches. First, there is theological disagreement over whether tithing is an obligation for New Testament believers. Second, opinions differ over whether the "storehouse" can be identified with today's local church, and whether the tithe may be divided between charitable relief and missions. Third, critics argue that preaching which emphasizes the blessing of the opened windows of heaven as a promise of material reward comes close to prosperity theology. Others, by contrast, maintain that this promise should be believed as a real blessing given to God's covenant people. The demand that churches receiving tithes disclose their finances transparently is also frequently raised in connection with this verse.

In the Korean Church

In Korean Protestant churches, this verse is the principal text for sermons encouraging tithing and for the offering portion of worship services. Some churches make faithful tithing one of the qualifications for church office.

Related Passages

• Malachi 3:8-9
• Genesis 14:20
• Matthew 23:23
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-7