We Made It!
If you’ve been reading along with us, you’ve now read the entire Old Testament. That’s no small feat. The numbers are hard to pin down, but some say as few as 11% of Christians have ever read the complete Old Testament. Many of you have read it before—some even read it annually. Either way, this is something you should feel good about. You had a goal, and you accomplished it.

Whether you’ve been reading in my book or online, you’ve spent 266 days with me. That’s a serious investment of time. I hope you’ve grown in your knowledge—but even more so, in your faith. Thank you.

Today, we read all four chapters of Malachi. Let’s talk about Chapter 1.
Giving: Not What, But Why
You may think, “This is how it works at churches too. You invest your time, your effort, give your heart—and now they want to talk about giving money.” In the modern world, it takes money to run a church. You understand that. But somehow, it seems like they shouldn’t have to ask for it all the time.

Relax. I will not ask for anything.

What I kept seeing as I read through all four chapters was a single theme. It’s easiest to understand if we focus on the first chapter. Not how much we give—that’s between you, God, and your accountant. What matters is why we give, and more specifically, how we give.
Leftovers and Lip Service
There are unscrupulous preachers who try to encourage people to give because, as they say, “You can’t out-give God.” I believe this is a biblically sound principle, supported by Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it will be given to you.”
Statistics tell us that economically challenged people often give over ten percent—hoping for a return. This can lead to disillusionment and people leaving the church with a negative attitude toward preachers, who always seem to have a hand held out.

Of course, giving isn’t just about money. We give our time and talents. Mark 10:29–30 assures us that this will pay dividends. But if that’s why you serve, then after a few years you end up a burnt-out, bitter Christian who decides you don’t need to be a member of a church to love Jesus.

That’s true. But God says we are to gather and serve each other:
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” — Hebrews 10:24–25
Even this can be a problem, and it’s exactly what Malachi is speaking to.
Bottom of the Purse
I’m talking here about giving because we ought to. It’s an obligation. At the end of a service, they pass the collection plate, and you don’t want to be the person who doesn’t put something in it.

So, we dig into the bottoms of our purses. Look in our wallets. I remember opening mine and seeing a few larger bills, a five, and a few singles. My income was somewhere around four hundred dollars a week. I certainly would not part with two twenties. Asking for change would be tacky. I figured it would be generous to give the five. Then I thought about getting lunch on the way home from church and decided giving the two this week would be fine. I’d give more some other time. I figured, God knew my heart. That is the problem. God knows my heart.

This isn’t about the amount of our giving. I certainly wouldn’t want to make anyone feel guilty in that area. We know the widow gave from her poverty more than the rich man from his wealth. (Mark 12:44)

The people of Malachi were giving their leftovers. Like I was back then—it was my extra, my spare change. They had animals that weren’t of much use to them. They couldn’t sell them. Taking care of them would’ve required expense. Instead, they figured giving them to the offering would kill two birds.

God did not find it amusing.
Giving from Gratitude
The same goes for us. We miss the point if we give money or time out of obligation, guilt, or pressure. If we give to get back, we’ve missed it more.

We need to pray. Not, “God, how much do you want me to give?” Not by looking at our paycheck and using the calculator on our phones to figure out the amount of a tithe.

Our giving must stem from gratitude.

The prayer we should have before giving should be one of thanksgiving. Think about all God has done for us—and is doing for us. How He healed a loved one. Provided in times of need. Comforts us in times of trouble. Carries us when we struggle.

When we’ve focused our hearts on God and what He means to us, we give from a right heart. Then we may mourn that we can’t give more. That’s the widow in Mark 12. She gave her all because it was all she had. If she had had more, she would’ve given more.

She did not go without. By giving from her heart, she went with God—and He is always sufficient.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
This was what the people of Malachi lacked. They weren’t giving their best. Yet God gave us His best when He gave us His One and only Son (John 3:16).
Final Thought
Next time you give, don’t focus on the amount. Instead, examine the reason for your giving.
Tomorrow, we will read Matthew 1-4.
Footnotes

Amanda Williams, “How Many Christians Have Read The Bible?” Christian Website, January 14, 2024. https://www.christianwebsite.com/how-many-christians-have-read-the-bible/

Nikolas Roza, “Bible Reading Statistics, Facts and Trends 2025,” Nikola Roza Blog, January 8, 2025. https://nikolaroza.com/bible-reading-statistics-facts-trends-guide/