Today I read Malachi 3, which talks about the Messiah coming, the sins of the people concerning their actions including finances, and God protecting those that are His. Today I considered that God cares about how we treat others, our finances, and our respect for people doing the right things.
Messiah Cleansing and the Trial
God will send His messenger to cleanse everyone to live righteously and so offerings to God are pleasant and also conduct a trial (Malachi 3:1-5). “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty (Malachi 3:5 NIV). God does care about how everyone is living in relationship to their treatment of others and will even judge everyone for it.
Sins of the People vs. Being Blessed
God further explains the sins of the people and the blessings in honoring Him (Malachi 3:6-18). Sins include not tithing or giving offerings and rewarding the proud and wicked. Blessings and being saved come to those that honor God and give to Him. Blessings include being fruitful and all nations calling you blessed. Truly following God allows things you do for him to be fruitful or successful and others to see how God blesses His children.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
How have you or someone you know helped those God mentions, a widow, orphan or foreigner?