Introductory Thoughts
The passage from Malachi shows that a man could rob God by simply withholding what God has requested of him. This robbing of God takes on two forms: not giving what God has required or giving less than one’s best to the Lord. The robber mistakenly imagines that his physical preservation depends upon the withholding of his goods from God and His work, but the opposite holds true. Instead of being blessed with more, the robber is cursed with less (Malachi 3:9). By withholding from God, he suffers loss at the hands of the devourer (Malachi 3:11). If he would only choose to give to God, the LORD of hosts would open the windows of heaven and pour out a special blessing (Malachi 3:10). The described blessing is so bountiful “that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10), and it would be easily recognizable by others (Malachi 3:12).
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): People rob God because they do not believe what God has promised in His word. Consider these verses: Proverbs 3:9-10; Proverbs 11:25; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19. Will you trust God to do what He says?
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(For everyone): The Israelites were robbing God but questioned where they were doing so (Malachi 3:8). What does this teach us about mans ability to recognize his own failures?
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By nature, we think by giving something we lose it, while withholding something means we keep it. How is this an unscriptural philosophy (see Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to show you if you have robbed Him in any way.
- Ask the Lord to show you His thoughts on withholding and giving.
Song
TRUST, TRY, AND PROVE ME
