Malachi 1:7-9 – “You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask, ‘How have we offended you?’ By treating the table of the Lord as if it is of no importance. ⁸ For when you offer blind animals as a sacrifice, is that not wrong?  And when you offer the lame and sick, is that not wrong as well?  Indeed, try offering them to your governor!  Will he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ⁹ “But now plead for God’s favor that he might be gracious to us.” “With this kind of offering in your hands, how can he be pleased with you?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word, I received something that deeply resonated.   I’m not sure I can adequately relate it in a brief text.  I was reading in Malachi, and God spoke to me about demonstrating respect and honor.  The people challenged God’s declaration that they were dishonoring Him and demanded an example.

Malachi 1:8 revealed that they were offering second-rate offerings.  Wow!   Think about that.   Do we always give God our best?  Well, do we?    God told them that because of that, He would not bless them.  They were sacrificing and praying, but nothing was happening because of their second-rate offerings.

The statement in Malachi 2:9 stunned me momentarily.   “You have corrupted the Covenant of Levi.”  What?  The Levites were those who served by bringing gifts to God and thereby opening the door of blessing and favor for the people.   The second-rate offerings corrupted the process and blocked God’s servants from fulfilling their service rightly.  It closed the windows of Heaven.  

It might serve us well to examine our offerings and sacrifices.  Are they the best?  Are the spare change (not just monetary but second-rate)?  In 2:17, God said, “You have wearied Me with your words.”  Imagine that!  Second-rate living and giving causes our prayers and even praise to weary God.  That is not a good position or condition.

Then, the debated topic of tithes and offerings surfaces in Malachi 3.  Let me suggest or postulate that this extends far beyond money or possessions.   It goes back to the second-rate sacrifices and offerings.   It is about our lives as well as our money.

Malachi 3:8 – Tithes AND Offerings.   (Second-rate offerings bring the curse of a closed heaven. Giving God the best brings to us His best.) God promises that if we give to God what His (everything is) is, He will not only open Heaven for us in every way but also rebuke the devourer.

Here is the question, “Have you had the devourer steal from you?  Has that come at the most inopportune time?  Is there a way to stop it?”   What did God say?  (Malachi 3:10).   If we give God our tithes (monetary and life), first-rate sacrifice, and offering, He will pour an Overflowing Blessing upon us.   The Windows of Heaven will open.

Three facts.   

• We must Do this to receive it.   
• We must Believe it to receive. 
• We must expect it. I am not focused on tithing but on giving God our Best! Today, let us begin giving God the first-rate, not second-rate and watch what He does.

Victory is yours when you give God your best!  He always gives His best!   Have a victorious day in Jesus!