6 “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ 7 “You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’
8 And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the Lord of hosts.
Mal 1:6-8
Q & A：
- Discuss why sometimes we would offer something sub-standard or blemished to God, while we treat a man of status in society well with great gifts and how we should show honor and respect to God and the people with authority over us. What can you reflect upon in your lives to make changes or adjustments as we draw near to Easter, knowing that you are the temple of God, a priest to bring our worship and offering before God, and you were bought at a price by the precious blood of Jesus Christ as He died for you on the cross. (Mal 1:6-8; Rom 13:7; Lev 1:3; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 2:9)
- Discuss the original intent of tithing in both the practical and spiritual purpose by referring to why God dealt with the Israelites in saying that the people are robbing Him in tithes and offerings. Explain how tithing would cause us to put our trust and dependency on God as Jehovah Jireh to provide and how you have experienced God’s blessing poured out from the windows of heaven or a lack through your practice of tithing. (Mal 3:8, 10-11)
- Explain what it means by bringing all the tithes into God’s storehouse and how we should tithe with regards to which church and what proportion to allocate. Discuss what challenges we may have in obeying to tithe and how nobody is able to out give God when we honor God with our first 10% and for God to look after the 90% for us.(Mal 3:10-11; Pro 3:9-10)