Malachi is the last Minor Prophet, and his book closed the Old Testament canon historically and prophetically. These were God’s last words for 400 years.

The reinstatement of the Jewish ritual of temple worship led to hard hearts rather than great love for God.

Malachi 1:1-2 (ESV)

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob.”

God initiated our relationships with Him. He loved us first.

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Worship without heart is wasted worship.

“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” -AW Tozer

Matthew 15:7-8

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

Honor = Weight

1) Do I honor God with my wealth?

Malachi 1:6-9

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord's table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts.”

God is both Father and Master, and Savior and Lord.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” -AW Tozer

God is worthy of more than our leftovers.

2) Do I honor God with my motives?

Malachi 1:10-12

“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.”

“It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it… The work done by a worshipper will have eternity in it.” -AW Tozer

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

3) Do I honor God with my strength?

Malachi 1:13

“But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.”

“Our Lord told His disciples that love and obedience were organically united. The final test of love is obedience.” -AW Tozer

Mark 12:30

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

1) Do I believe God is a great King?

Malachi 1:14

“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.”

“It is either all of Christ or none of Christ! I believe we need to preach again a whole Christ to the world - a Christ who does not need our apologies, a Christ who will not be divided, a Christ who will either be Lord of all or will not be Lord at all!” -AW Tozer

John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Questions for reflection and application

1) In what areas of my life am I giving God leftovers?

2) Am I a cheerful and generous giver of my resources?

3) What do I really think about God?