Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

It is about time for a short message series.

For the past few weeks and over the next couple of months, I will upload short messages based on the book of Malachi. It will probably be eight total and based on the section divisions in the English Standard Version of the Bible.

No special titles. Just taking a quick look at what was said.

So read along with me, and let us study what Malachi said to his people about 2,400 years ago.

Malachi 3:5-15

Remember that Malachi literally means “my messenger”, so he is God’s messenger, as all the Prophets were.

Chapter 1 was about God’s love for His covenant people – those who obey and love Him – versus those who refuse to listen to Him. The priests offered lame, sick, and injured animals as sacrifices, basically taking the Lord’s name in vain by calling it acceptable even though they were worthless gifts.

Chapter 2 can be called the passage about “bovine scatology”, because priests then (and many now) led people astray with false teachings. So God rebuked them and showed they are outside of the covenant.

Chapter 2 finishes with God rebuking not only the priests but any who practice what God said not to, and leads into chapter 3 in which God calls out those who call evil good and vice versa (which leads to His eventual judgment!)

Now, on to discuss stealing from God:

• God does not change: He is Father, even if we push Him away.
• The tithes and offerings of ancient Israel went to feeding the Levites and those who served the Temple.
  • To not give offerings and tithes was to say:
    • “God does not need my offering.”
    • “I want the priests to starve.”
    • Breaks both great commandments!
• Saying “I’m not called to preach or share the gospel” is saying it is vain to serve God.
• Saying “Everything is so horrible, how can there be a good God?” pushes people from God.
• Whether atheist or a Christian who refuses to share the Gospel or lives just like the world is also stealing from God:
  • Leading people from God is in essence stealing souls from Him and pushing them to eternal torment.
  • Refusing to tell people the Gospel is stealing souls from Him, because you only seek the benefits of His grace but refuse to share that grace with others (pay for services provided, if you will, such as shopping or eating out but refusing to pay).