𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜 𝟯:𝟭𝟬 — 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗗

MALACHI 3:10 — MARKED AND MISAPPLIED

(Why Tithing Doctrine Is Not for the Church Today)
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
“Rightly dividing the word of truth.”

INTRODUCTION

One of the most abused passages in modern Christianity is Malachi 3:10.
Many pastors lift this verse out of Israel’s Law, apply it to the Church Age, and use it to pressure, guilt, and extort believers.

Dispensational truth exposes this error clearly:
The Church is not under the Law.
Malachi was written to Israel—not the Body of Christ.
Today we will expose this doctrinal error through 9 CLEAR DISPENSATIONAL TRUTHS.

MISPLACED PASSAGE
Malachi 3:8–10; Romans 15:4
Truth: Malachi was written to Israel under the Law.

A. Covenant Context – Addressed to the nation of Israel
B. Legal Command – Part of Mosaic Law
C. Levitical System – Storehouse tied to temple worship
Dispensational Insight:
You cannot apply Israel’s Law to the Church’s Grace.

MISIDENTIFIED PEOPLE
Malachi 1:1; Romans 9:4
Truth: The audience was not the Body of Christ.

A. National Rebuke – Israel accused of robbing God
B. Priestly Failure – Levites mishandled offerings
C. Earthly Nation – Not a heavenly body
Truth:
The Church did not exist when Malachi was written.

MIXED PROGRAMS
Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:21
Truth: Law and Grace cannot be blended.

A. Law Requires – Works and obedience
B. Grace Gives – Freely by Christ
C. Mixing Destroys – Grace is no more grace
Pauline Clarity:
Tithing doctrine contradicts grace when enforced.

MANIPULATED PROMISES
Malachi 3:10; Ephesians 1:3
Truth: Physical blessings promised to Israel are misused.

A. Material Prosperity – Land and crops promised
B. Conditional Blessing – Based on obedience
C. Earthly Storehouse – Not spiritual blessings
Dispensational Distinction:
The Church’s blessings are spiritual and heavenly, not financial guarantees.

MARKED FALSE TEACHERS
Romans 16:17–18; 2 Peter 2:3
Truth: Paul commands believers to identify and avoid them.

A. Smooth Speech – Religious language
B. Self-Serving Motives – Belly-driven ministry
C. Subtle Deception – Scripture twisted
Command:
We are told to mark and avoid, not tolerate.

MONEY-CENTERED MINISTRY
1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Corinthians 2:17
Truth: Financial gain reveals corrupt motives.

A. Peddling the Word – Making merchandise of Scripture
B. Pressuring the Poor – Exploiting fear
C. Promising Prosperity – Selling blessings
Pauline Warning:
God’s Word is not a fundraising tool.

MISUNDERSTOOD GIVING
2 Corinthians 9:6–7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2
Truth: Grace giving replaces tithing.

A. Voluntary Giving – Not commanded
B. Cheerful Heart – Not forced
C. Purposeful Support – Gospel-centered
Dispensational Practice:
The Church gives freely, not under threat.

MISDIRECTED FEAR
Galatians 5:1; Colossians 2:20–23
Truth: Tithing teaching enslaves believers.

A. Fear of Curses – Law mentality
B. Loss of Liberty – Bondage to rules
C. Fleshly Control – Not Spirit-led
Freedom:
Grace frees us from fear-based religion.

MAGNIFIED GRACE
Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 6:14
Truth: Grace reigns in this dispensation.

A. Salvation by Grace – Not money
B. Standing in Christ – Not storehouse giving
C. Service from Love – Not obligation
Pauline Conclusion:
Grace motivates giving—not law, not threats, not promises of wealth.

CONCLUSION

Malachi 3:10 is Scripture, but it is not Church doctrine.
When pastors teach it as binding today, they:
Twist Scripture
Exploit believers
Deny grace
Promote bondage
Right division removes confusion and protects the flock.

CALL TO ACTION

Study your Bible rightly divided
Reject fear-based giving
Rest in grace
Mark false teachers
Give freely, not forcibly

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.”
— Galatians 5:1 (KJV)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Tithing belongs to the Law.
Giving belongs to Grace.
Extortion belongs to false teachers.
Grace now — Law fulfilled.
Cheerful giving — not cursed living.