If I got a penny everytime a church taught on Malachi 3, about robbing God, and tithes and offerings, I’d be a millionaire!
What is the Law about tithing?
Let’s take a closer look at what the tithes actually were, according to the law:
“To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting. […] Only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the sons of Israel they shall have no inheritance. For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance; therefore I have said concerning them, ‘They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.’” (Numbers 18:21–24)
This is what the tithes were about.
The True Purpose of Tithing Under the Law
There was an entire tribe of Israel, the Levites, who were set apart for temple service. God forbade them from owning land or working to provide for themselves. Instead, they were to be supported by the other tribes through tithes of food—crops and animals.
Malachi 3 is a rebuke to the people of Israel for neglecting this command. They weren’t feeding the Levites as instructed, and God called it robbery because they were breaking covenant law.
This passage has nothing to do with New Covenant giving.
Tithing Has No Place in the New Covenant
Under the New Covenant:
- There is no tribe of Levi.
- There is no priestly caste commanded by God to own no land.
- There is no system that requires others to provide food offerings to sustain that group.
Instead, in Christ, we are all priests (1 Peter 2:9). The Old Covenant model doesn’t apply.
You Are Free to Give From the Heart
In Christ, you are free to give as you are led—not based on a legal requirement, but out of love, joy, and grace.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
You may choose to give money. You might give food, time, talents, or support in other creative ways. But the point is—you are free.
There is no obligation to tithe under the New Covenant. God trusts the new heart He has given you to be generous as He leads you.
So next time someone uses Malachi 3 to place a burden on you, remember the context. That was about feeding the Levites under a law that no longer applies.
In Christ, there’s no pressure—just freedom. You get to give from a place of rest, love, and gratitude, however the Spirit leads you.
Leave a Reply