Malachi 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

NIV: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

NASB: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,' says the Lord of armies, 'if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

CSB: Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way," says the Lord of Armies. "See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

NLT: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

KJV: Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

NKJV: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

This is one of the more popular Scriptures cited by the so-called "Prosperity Gospel," despite it having no bearing on a modern believer. As with verses 8 and 9, this entire discussion is directed at Israel, and within the context of the covenant between God and that nation. Those promises are still in effect, but they apply in literal terms only to those under that covenant: Israel. This verse, in no sense, implies a guarantee from God that those who donate to His cause will be materially blessed. The general principle is sound: we ought to work for the will of God rather than for our own ends (Matthew 6:19–20; 2 Corinthians 9:6–12). However, God does not guarantee wealth or success to the Christian believer, under any circumstances.

This promise reflects back to Deuteronomy 28. In that passage, God describes a series of blessings (for obedience) and curses (for failure) tied to Israel's faithfulness to their covenant with Him. Ancient agriculture was particularly vulnerable to insects and other natural dangers; so the pledge made over verses 10 and 11 seems to relate specifically to keeping such harms at bay.

The "storehouse" most likely means a particular area of the temple used to house tithed grain and other resources (Nehemiah 10:38).

Malachi 3:7–12 is both a reminder and an encouragement to Israel. God's covenant through Moses included positive promises, in response to obedience. However, it also included negative consequences, in response to defiance. Israel has been ''robbing'' God by failing to pay His tithes. Israel's lack of success, in this case, is partly because of their own disobedience. Even so, God promises to restore Israel's fortunes if they will be faithful. Though often mis-applied, these requirements and promises are meant only for Israel, not all believers at all times.

The final message, completed in chapter 4, is an appeal for God's chosen people to return. God would prefer to see them redeemed, than to be destroyed, when the end finally comes. This passage includes God's promise to send a messenger heralding the Messiah. And, that the Promised One will someday rule and conquer the wicked. In the meantime, Israel must stop ''robbing'' Him by withholding His tithes and offerings. Only God's unchanging nature has kept Israel from destruction. At the same time, God will remember those who have been faithful during these faithless times.

Malachi's first message, to the priests, ended in chapter 2. The prophecy then shifts to accuse Israel of unfaithfulness across chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3. The final message covers the last half of chapter 3 and all of the short fourth chapter. This last warning is centered on Israel's failure to pay God His tithes and offerings, as well as a promise to send Messiah to judge all sin.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.