— And Why It Doesn’t Belong In The Body of Christ
Have you ever sat in a church service and felt that familiar shift in the preacher’s tone—the one that signals Malachi 3:10 is about to be pulled out like a spiritual pressure tool?
You know what comes next:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…”
And after that, here comes the bucket.
But let’s slow down.
Let’s step back from the emotional manipulation.
Let’s actually read what God said—and who He said it to.
1. MALACHI WAS NOT WRITTEN TO YOU — AND YOUR CHURCH IS NOT THE STOREHOUSE
Malachi 3 is addressed to the nation of Israel (Mal. 3:6, 9).
Not Gentiles.
Not the Body of Christ.
Not your denomination.
Verse 9 says:
“This whole nation…”
Which nation?
Israel.
And the “storehouse”?
Not your church office.
Not the pastor’s back room.
Not a modern bank account.
It was the storage chambers in the Temple where Israel’s agricultural tithes were kept (Neh. 10:38; Deut. 12:5–6).
That’s produce.
From the land.
Given to Levites.
To run Israel’s national priestly system.
Not money to run the lights at First Church of Whoever.
2. TITHING WAS A NATIONAL TAX SYSTEM FOR ISRAEL
When you study the Law (Lev. 27; Num. 18; Deut. 12, 14, 26), you find three tithes, not one:
A. The Levitical Tithe (Yearly – 10%)
For the Levites who owned no land (Num. 18:21–24).
B. The Festival Tithe (Yearly – 10%)
To fund Israel’s three required pilgrimages to Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5–7; 14:22–27; 16:16). This tithe was consumed by the worshiper, not given to a priest.
C. The Welfare Tithe (Every 3rd Year – 10%)
To support widows, orphans, strangers, and Levites (Deut. 14:28–29; 26:12).
If you total this out, Israel’s tithing system equals about 23⅓% per year, not 10%.
And every bit of it was:
✔ agricultural
✔ tied to the land
✔ tied to the Levitical priesthood
✔ tied to God’s covenant with Israel
✔ tied to the Temple in Jerusalem
Which means: If your pastor tries to enforce Malachi 3 on you…
He’s borrowing Israel’s national law to fund a modern religious system.
3. YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW — AND GOD ISN’T BARGAINING WITH YOU
When someone says:
“If you don’t tithe, you’re robbing God.”
“If you tithe, God will rebuke the devourer.”
“God won’t bless you unless you give the first 10%.”
They’re teaching Law, not Grace.
And Paul couldn’t be clearer:
“You are not under the law, but under grace.” — Romans 6:14
“Let no man judge you in meats, drinks, holy days…” — Colossians 2:16
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” — Romans 10:4
If someone tries to put you back under Israel’s system to manipulate your giving, that’s not spiritual leadership—that’s spiritual extortion.
4. GOD HAS ALREADY BLESSED YOU — WITHOUT TITHING A DIME
The Body of Christ isn’t promised “windows of heaven”—we’re given something far better:
“Blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” — Ephesians 1:3
Notice the tense:
Already blessed.
You don’t give to get blessed.
You give because you are blessed.
That’s Grace.
5. So How Should You Give Under Grace?
Paul lays out the only giving instructions for the Body of Christ today:
✔ Purposefully — decide deliberately
“As he purposed in his heart…” (2 Cor. 9:7)
✔ Willingly — not pushed, pressured, or manipulated
“Not grudgingly…”
✔ Without necessity — no threats, no curses, no bargains
“…nor of necessity…”
✔ Cheerfully — flowing from grace, not guilt
“…for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Grace giving is the opposite of tithing:
• Not a percentage
• Not a law
• Not a requirement
• Not connected to blessings or curses
• Not tied to agriculture, priests, or temples
You give because Christ is in you, and grace loosens the grip of selfishness.
6. Use Wisdom. Provide for Your Household. Then Support Ministry.
Paul says:
“If any provide not for his own… he has denied the faith.” — 1 Timothy 5:8
Some Christians have been told to give the church money they should have used to:
• fix their children’s teeth
• buy groceries
• pay bills
• care for aging parents
That’s not faith.
That’s spiritual abuse.
Grace puts your family first, then gives you the freedom to help others and support the work of the ministry as God leads.
7. The Cross — Not Your Wallet — Is the Measure of God’s Love
If you want to know how much God cares for you, don’t look at your bank account.
Look at Christ crucified.
“God commended His love toward us…” — Romans 5:8
That’s your security.
That’s your blessing.
That’s your assurance.
Not a tithe envelope.
Conclusion:
Tithing is Israel’s program.
Grace giving is ours.
If a ministry uses the Law to control your giving, you don’t need their bucket.
You need your Bible.
And you need to stand fast in the liberty Christ has given you.
✍️ AnWaraynaEbanghelista
Preaching Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery
