Malachi 3:8 in context ... part 2

The following is taken from Chapter 7 - Disinformation I, of the book - Tithing : Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct, by Matthew E. Narramore.

If You Don't Tithe You Are a God-Robber.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (Mal. 3:8-9). 

Under the Old Covenant the tithe was the Lord's and the children of Israel were robbing God when they didn't give it to him. We have a completely different relationship to God. The New Covenant is actually between God the Father and Jesus. Therefore, it is perfect and eternal because it does not depend on a fallible human who might break it. We are included in the New Covenant by our spiritual union with Jesus and we share his covenant relationship with the Father.

Our relationship to God as a born-again son is superior to anything previous. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus.

Our standard today is not 10 percent, it is Christ himself who gave everything. Paul is an example for us: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil. 3:7–8)

There is no curse upon us in Christ. It isn't part of our covenant. Jesus bore it and completely redeemed us from it. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal. 3:13)

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 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom. 4:13) 

    Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal. 3:16) 

    And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29) 

    Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (1 Cor. 3:21–23) 

We have no possessions that are ours separately from Jesus Christ. Everything belongs to him and us together, so there is no such thing as robbing God by not tithing. The commitment in this covenant is 100 percent from both parties. The issue is not tithing; it's following the Holy Spirit's leading at all times.

Our relationship to God as a born-again son is superior to anything previous. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus. God is not his own either because he has committed himself to us, to be a Father and total savior to us. We no longer live on the level of a tither. We live in the high calling of absolute abandonment to God and his purposes on earth. That is the new standard of 100 percent commitment in the New Covenant.

    So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33) 

    …they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12:11b) 

The church is like it is today because of what it has been taught. It has not been taught the strong truth about the glorious relationship we have with God. It's time that Christians should be given the meat of God's word. (Heb. 5:12–14) It's time for them to be treated like sons who are capable of growing up into full stature in Christ.

Our standard today is not 10 percent, it is Christ himself who gave everything. Paul is an example for us:

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Phil. 3:7–8) 

A Curse Will Come on You If You Don't Tithe

    Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (Mal. 3:9) 

God had given Israel the Law over one thousand years before the prophet Malachi spoke those words. God told Israel very clearly what the blessing would be for keeping the Law and what the curse would be for breaking it. Over the years Israel broke it repeatedly and suffered the curse as punishment. That was the nature of their covenant.

There is no curse upon us in Christ. It isn't part of our covenant. Jesus bore it and completely redeemed us from it.

    Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal. 3:13) 

Those who teach that there is a curse for not tithing are contradicting the most basic truths of the New Covenant. However, if you put yourself back under the Law you will put yourself under the curse.

    For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Gal. 3:10) 

Life in Christ works by a different spiritual process, which is not compatible with the Old Covenant paradigm.

    Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; (Rom. 4:16)