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• Illustration: Geraldo Rivera interviewed a soldier who had genuine love for his commanding officer.
• Malachi 3 is a lover's quarrel between God and His people.

• Malachi 3:6–12
• Illustration: Many lovers' quarrels are over money.
• The robbery is in tithes and offerings God's people are withholding from him.
• We need to look at this O.T. problem through the lens of the N.T.
• 2 Corinthians 8–9

• Since obedient Israelites were giving 25% of their income to God, what should our standard be?
• 2 Corinthians 9:7
• Acts 4:34–35
• 1 Corinthians 16:1–4
• Illustration: Mathewson describes his personal financial commitment to Dry Creek Bible Church.

• Malachi 3:10–12
• In the New Testament, God's blessing has shifted in its emphasis from material blessings to spiritual blessings.
• Illustration: Mathewson tells of a friend who adjusted his lifestyle in order to give 30% of his income.

• Are we willing to accept God's challenge to give at a level that tests His ability to bless us?

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