The New Living Bible calls it cheating God when we withhold tithes and offerings. The nation of Israel was under a curse at the time Malachi spoke because they cheated God. We see the promise of abundant blessings if they returned to bringing the tithes into the storehouse. The blessing would be on their crops, all nations would call them blessed and their land would be a delight.God speaks to His people. “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.” But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’” “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse ~ the whole nation of you ~ because you are robbing me. 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 flood gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it. Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
