Introduction:  When we think of what our Lord has done for each of us, we are reminded that the Lord deserves the absolute best from each of us. To give our Lord less than the best is unthinkable when we think of how He died upon the cruel cross and gave Himself as a sacrifice for us. 

The prophet Malachi now lays the charge before the people that they had given the Lord far less than their best. Malachi speaks to the kind of offerings they were giving to God. In verse 11 Malachi reaches into the future when God's name and person will be exalted and worshipped throughout the earth. He will be offered only that which is pure. The point Malachi makes is that God deserves our best. Malachi words in effect say:   

I.          GIVE GOD WHAT HE PROPERLY DESERVES (VV.11-12)

            A.        Excellent Sacrifice (pure offering)

His name is great! He is great! He deserves only the best. II Sam.24:24 "And the king said unto Araunah, 'Nay, but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing." 

            B.         Earnest Submission     

Malachi again reiterates the way they had treated God. He adds how they had looked at God's service.

(v.13) the word "weariness" means "irksome, vexatious, burdensome, tedious, drudgery." (Illus: In a graveyard beside a Church in England stands a monument with this epitaph: "Here lies Robert Shirley who died in 1657. He did the best of things in the worst of times.")

·        They pretended to puff and pant under the sacrificial lambs weight. To them, giving God their best was a burden. They were weary of giving God what He deserved. But the point is, He deserves the best and we should never weary of giving Him our best. (Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (2 Th 3:13) "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

II.         GIVE GOD WHAT WE PERSONALLY DECLARE (VV.13-14)

They had made vows to God and were breaking those vows.  

            A.        Personal Accountability

·        The participles used here indicate they were continually breaking those vows. God calls them a swindler, a deceiver. 

·     It is not known what the vow is that is alluded to here. But in keeping with the context I would assume that it was a vow to serve God and give Him what He deserved and desired. 

            B.         Practical Adjustments

There have been times in all our lives that we told God we would love Him, serve Him, and do our best for Him. God says, "Pay me those vows."  (Num 30:2 “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”) 

Conclusion:       What kind of offering are you giving to God?