Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes

⁶ “I the Lord do not change.^(A) So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.^{(B) 7} Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away^(C) from my decrees and have not kept them. Return^(D) to me, and I will return to you,”^(E) says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask,^(F) ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob^(G) God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes^(H) and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse^(I)—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe^(J) into the storehouse,^(K) that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates^(L) of heaven and pour out^(M) so much blessing^(N) that there will not be room enough to store it.^{(O) 11} I will prevent pests from devouring^(P) your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,^(Q)” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed,^(R) for yours will be a delightful land,”^(S) says the Lord Almighty.^(T)

Generosity Encouraged

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.^{(A) 7} Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,^(B) not reluctantly or under compulsion,^(C) for God loves a cheerful giver.^{(D) 8} And God is able^(E) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,^(F) you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written: