Is Your Money Cursed?
Financial giving is a tool of spiritual warfare.
Background. God’s people had returned from exile and rebuilt the temple, but life wasn’t what they hoped. Their disappointment became distrust: they kept their best animals and brought God the defective ones. Before any instruction about giving, God says, “Return to me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). This passage doesn’t mean every setback is a curse or that a gift guarantees a windfall.
Sermon notes
Tithing is giving the first 10 percent of your income to the local church
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”Malachi 3:10
Tithe means a tenth, given first, to God’s house: the local church. Time, nonprofits, and gifts to individuals are good, but they aren’t the tithe. Jesus says, “You should tithe, yes” (Matthew 23:23).
If tithing isn’t a New Testament principle, it’s only because the early church shared everything (Acts 2:44–47).
Give God what’s right, not what’s left.
The tithe keeps the church alive
“The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”1 Corinthians 9:13–14
If you expect the church to be generous but never participate, you’re asking others to build what you want to enjoy.
Create a plan to give
“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops.”Malachi 3:11
Older translations say, “I will rebuke the devourer,” the same Hebrew word used when the Lord rebukes Satan in Zechariah 3. Start somewhere, even with $1.
The curse breaks when we return to God, not when we pay Him.
Key terms
- Tithe
- “A tenth”: the first 10% of income, given to the local church.
- Offering
- Giving beyond the tithe, like the Legacy offering.
- Storehouse
- God’s house; in the New Testament, the local church.
- Curse and blessing
- Covenant language between God and Israel, tied to their land and crops.
- Rebuke
- Hebrew ga‘ar: used in Malachi 3:11 and Zechariah 3:2.
- Recurring giver
- Someone who gives automatically every week or month.
Set up recurring giving
1Go to kalos.church/give and tap “Click here to give online.”
2Choose Credit/Debit/ACH, or give stock or from a donor-advised fund.
3Choose Recurring, enter your amount, and pick how often.
Reflect & discuss
Tap “Add a note” to jot down your thoughts. Notes stay on this device only.
Where has disappointment with God started shaping your obedience to Him?
If tithing is giving back what’s already God’s, how does that change the way you see your money?
Does your giving match your expectations for what the church should be doing?
What’s your next step: start with 1%, set up recurring giving, or track your spending this month?
Also referenced: Matthew 23:23 · Acts 2:44–47 · Zechariah 3:2 · Annual report at kalos.church/legacy
Holy Father, there is nothing I have that You have not given me. All I have and am belong to You, bought with the blood of Jesus. To spend everything on myself, and to give without sacrifice, is the way of the world that You cannot abide. But generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord; who love Him with free hearts and serve Him with renewed minds; who withstand the delusion of riches that chokes the word; whose hearts are in Your kingdom and not in the systems of the world.
I am determined to increase in generosity until it can be said that there is no needy person among us. I am determined to be trustworthy with such a little thing as money that You may trust me with true riches. Above all, I am determined to be generous because You, Father, are generous. It is the delight of Your daughters and sons to share Your traits, and to show what You are like to all the world. Amen.