Tithing

Tithing in Malachi: the failure to TITHE robbing God by robbing the priests? No. Malachi said: And now, O PRIESTS, this commandment is for YOU. Malachi 2:1

In most churches YOU have lost your "body function" which has been taken over by professional religionists. Understand that Jesus "paid it all" and you owe no man anything except love and alms to the DESTITUTE. The law is to LAY BY in your own treasury so that you can obey Jesus and secretly give ALMS to the needy.

You can obey the GOSPEL and regain freedom only by keeping your hard-earned money. The chances that it will go for GOD'S PEOPLE are no greater than with tele-evangelists.

DON'T VIOLATE THE LAW OF CHRIST BY OWING PROFESSIONALS ANYTHING.

The LEGALISM of the Law of Giving

Number two

Whatever our religion, most of us have a deep itch to know what the Bible teaches and are deeply troubled when it is used to whack people over the head. These notes are from our web page and are prompted by one of the most popular questions on the Internet: "Do Christians have to tithe?" The Bible clearly says, "No." Everyone is free to give everything but no one is free to demand anything but love. Romans 13:8.

Most people will not tithe unless they are lied to. They are kept under this cult practice through GUILT such as "you are giving to GOD" when they know that it is financing their retirement plan.

They are told that if they don't tithe they are ROBBING GOD. And those who rob God are UNDER A CURSE.

Sending your money to the government which furnishes the civil services the Levites provided won't work. Sure, you already give up to 50% of your income to the government but unless you give the 10% of the gross income pluse 10% of the value of Aunt Tillie's couch you inherited then you are a cursed robber.

Being yourself a priest of God isn't good enough: you need the priest "standing in the holy place" to mediate God's Word and God's grace. But that DENIES that Christ died in a one time sacrifice while the Jews MOCKED Him with music.

However, the message of God through Malachi was: "This is for you, O priests" who robbed the Levites in order to pay the enemies of God. Everyone was careless but only the priests were cursed because they did not teach.

Therefore, anyone who would jerk an Old Testament passage out of its context and dispensation are indeed cursed: they come under James' curse of being forced to keep every jot and tittle of the 613 Laws of Moses.

Using psychological violence to force God's children to tithe when they are barely surviving offends them and therefore offends God and you had better get your neck fitted for a millstone.

Review of Tithing - Number One

In our Tithing - Number One, we heard Malachi addressing the priests and speaking for God asking:

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Mal 3:8

As Stephen Davis reminds us, this concept also appears in Proverbs:

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: Prov 22:22

For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Prov 22:23

Based on the whole story of tithing in the Bible, the natural question is: If I do not tithe, am I, like the TV man said, a robber posted on God's Ten Most Wanted list? The Bible answer is, No. Everyone is free to give everything but no one is free to demand anything but love. Romans 13:8.

We noted that God gave Israel The Book of the Covenant at Mount Sinai. When they practiced an Egyptian form of worship, God gave them The Book of the Law or the Law of Moses. In this system of law, the individual lost the right to approach God.

We saw that the tithe was to feed the Tribe of Levi to care for and to keep the people away from the Tabernacle. In addition, the Levite priests offered sacrifices for the people who were more "audience" than worshipers:

"And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Num 18:21

"Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. Nu 18:22

Anyone who demands the tithe today claims (and they do) that even singers are mediators between mankind and God. In that they are "standing in the holy place" claiming that they are God.

They claim that if YOU approach God He will kill you. That is why cults do not want you standing on the podium unless you are ordained or "permitted" by the ordained.

This was a CURSE added when the people rose up to play in musical idolatry.

When Jesus died on the cross the curtain was torn and any baptized believer is a "priest" who can meet God in Christ in the "Most Holy Place" which is our human spirit to "hold the thought of God in our minds" and be His disciples.

The tithe was ten percent of the yearly increase of grain from the land, fruit from the trees and animals from the pasture. Jews who lived outside of Canaan and wage earners did not tithe because they were not God's tenants. Furthermore, this 10% was for both civil and religious services:

The editor to Smith's Bible Dictionary on the Tithe notes that:

"These tithes in early times took the place of our modern taxes, us well as of gifts for the support of religious institutions. --ED.

The tithe, like all of this Second Law, was given because of sin and not as a spiritual blessing (Galatians 3:19). Liberty under Christ now makes us all a priesthood of believers able to "come boldly before God's throne." Sacrifice is the fruit of the lips of each believer. No Levitical worship leader or "team" should ever presume to perform worship for the believer:

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. Heb 13:15

But to do good and to communicate (freely-given fellowship including financial help) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb 13:16

People do presume to take the place of Christ or the worshiper or to stand between the two. The power to shake off that power can only come from understanding the history of tithing.

In the first paper, we looked at voluntary tithing during the PATRIARCHAL period, during the WILDERNESS WANDERING and in Canaan under the JUDGES. The next period of Bible history is the UNITED KINGDOM where tithing, along with Israel's worship, was like the nations.

The Tithe Under the United Monarchy

You will remember that at the end of the period of JUDGES, Samuel grew old and appointed his own unqualified sons to be Judges. Because their sins included taking money for their services, the tribal elders demanded a king like the nations (1 Sam 8:5). God answered their prayer because they had already rejected His theocratic rule. He told Samuel to warn the elders:

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 1 Sam 8:9

God explained that human kings exempt their sons and tax the poor. While the princes rode in their chariots, the sons of the poor ran before the horses tooting everyone out of the way:

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 1 Sam 8:11

As a secular king, he would build a government like those in Egypt and Babylon. He would build a "ministry system" like a pyramid with the king at the top dominating the people. He would even try to take over the role of priest.

And he will appoint him captains (dominant leaders) over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear (till) his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments (musical), of his chariots. 1 Sam 8:12

This was fulfilled when David used men in "like-the-nations" practices of warfare, for dedication of structures or kings, and for purification rituals. For instance, of these same dominant captains,

David, together with the (captains) commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: 1 Chronicles 25:1

As one example, one of the guild leaders was "Asaph, the collector." In Hebrew his name means: "To gather in, receive, consume, destroy or utterly take away." The guilds had Ugaritic names.

God warned the elders what would happen when they were ruled like the nations and worshipped like the nations:

And he will take the tenth (tithe) of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers (keepers of the harem) and to his servants (slaves). 1 Sam 8:15

The king, like the nations, took the money from the poor and gave it to his friends and family. They, in turn, enslaved the "tithers" to carry out the king's plans:

And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. 1 Sam 8:16

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. 1 Sam 8:18

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us 1 Sam 8:19

After this new system of government and worship was forced upon the people and led to captivity, Ezekiel reminded them that their effort would never have God's blessing:

You say, "We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone." But what you have in mind will never happen. Ezekiel 20:32

The United Kingdom

The period of the KINGDOM united by war lasted through the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon who used slave labor to build the temple. He spent even more time on his own palaces, and temples for his wives to practice idolatry.

As in the temple-states of the nations, the king claimed to be God's Agent. As a result, what should be given to God by giving to the poor and faithful workers was spent on rituals "to lead the worshipers into the presence of God."

The Divided Kingdom

Because the temple-state enslaved the people, as God has promised, when Solomon died the people asked for relief. The older people's advice was ignored and the burdens were increased. The nation then divided with ten tribes called ISRAEL living in the north and two tribes remaining in Jerusalem called JUDAH (Jews). Within five years of Solomon's death, the temple was stripped, according to some estimates, of a trillion dollars of treasure while the people were hungry for food and the Word.

Israel (north) erected idols like the golden calf at Mount Sinai and restored Egyptian forms of worship. They invented frequent religious festivals so that the Word of God was ignored. These tribes went into Assyrian captivity and never returned. They are called the "Lost Tribes of Israel."

Why Israel Went Into Assyrian Captivity

Israel went into captivity because the princes took money from the poor and used it for their own benefit. They were the robbers:

Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink Amos 5:11

These festivals became a daily, jubilant activity of "wine, women and song." Their worship was the Marzeah which is defined as a "feast with and for dead ancestors" who must now be worshipped. They believed that the "feelings" created by play or drama or music proved that the gods were actually in their bodies.

As a result, God warned:

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. Amos 8:10

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: Amos 8:11

The Babylonian Captivity of Judah

Judah controlled Jerusalem and a small population. They were finally captured and went into Babylonian captivity which lasted roughly 70 years.

Ezekiel warned the people that they would remain in Babylon because they treated God like a prostitute entertainer (Eze 33). They were interested in "exciting, performance worship" but they had no intention of changing their lives. This has been called, "the idolatry of talent."

In the next chapter, Ezekiel asked of elders:

Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? Ezekiel 34:18

And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. Ezekiel 34:19

Because the people were so evil, God always planned to be His own Intercessor. (Isaiah 59:16). And, as Chief Shepherd, He would feed the flock rather than have the flock feed Him:

And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23

In chapter 40, Ezekiel began to describe the Idealized Temple where the Levites who caused Israel to go astray (Eze 40:10) would be demoted. The Zadokite priests could continue to serve (44:15) because they rejected Israel's festivals.

Moreover the prince (the Hebrew "rising" means something like a "Martha White self-rising mist") shall not take of the peoples inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession;

but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession:

that my people be not scattered every man from his possession. Ezekiel 46:18

The Period of the Return

When the Persians under Cyrus defeated Babylon, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar led the first return with the vessels taken from the temple (Ezra 1:11). Many of the people returned under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-2). The foundation of the temple was laid but because of the fear created by the loud choirs (Ezra 3), the temple was delayed for 16 years. Finally, Nehemiah returned to rebuild the city (Neh. 2).

While the free lands were given to the poor, it was not long before the priests had sold their property and the rich had confiscated the lands so the poor could pay their debts. The meaning of JUBILEE was that the big shots had to cough up the property of the poor every 50 years.

It wasn't long before the nobles began to oppress the people. Nehemiah spoke to them and said:

Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses,

also (restore) the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. Neh 5:11

To take even 1% of the money by law was like taking the lands, vineyards and even houses.

Tobiah and Sanballat tried to hold a "conference" with Nehemiah who was too busy building the walls. He knew that they were just trying to break down the walls to stop the work in the name of unity.

However, when Nehemiah returned to Babylon, Eliashib the priest, who controlled the tithed food, made friends with the enemy, Tobiah, and made him a grand apartment in the food storehouse in the temple.

Nehemiah to Prove Who was the Robber and who was cursed.

10% for TAX. 1% offered by the Levites for their "tithe." BUT ONLY 1% BROUGHT INTO THE STORE HOUSES:

And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. Neh 10: 38

The remaining 8% paid for civil services. IF you had a law of "laying by in store" you could not exact more than 1%.

This tithe of the tithe was to feed the temple workers who COULD NOT LEAVE THEIR POST- The church house-during their rotation:

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary,

and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. Neh 10: 39

AND the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. Neh 11:1

This constituted the civil temple-state government. The tribe of Levi got 2 out of 7 tithes of INCREASED of food (only). They, in turn performed civil and military duties. For instance, the "musicians" were under the king and commanders of the army. The tribe gave the PRIESTLY ministers only 10% of these 2 10% tithes out of every seven years. If they wanted a roof over their head they WORKED since every priest must have a secular occupation.

While Nehemiah was out of Jerusalem, the priest tossed out the food and made a grand appartment for Tobiah who was the ENEMY of the returning Jews. This is something like giving your buddy the job of "missionary in residence."

Therefore, the primary robbing was that the "dominant priest" refused to support the Levites who did the work.

This led to an "ecumenical movement" trying to get both Jews and Gentiles into the same "wineskin."

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. Neh 13:3

And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, [was] allied unto Tobiah: Neh 13:4

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. Neh 13:5

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. Neh 13:5

"Therefore, I have made you contemptible in the eyes of all the people; for you have not obeyed me, but you let your favorites break the law without rebuke." Mal 2:9

Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem and threw lazy Tobiah and his "stuff" out of the "food pantry." The priests and rulers were ROBBING the Levites who did the work:

But in all this [time] was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: Neh 13:6

And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. Neh 13:7

And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Neh 13:8

Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. Neh 13:9

And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given [them]: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Neh 13:10

Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Neh 13:11

Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. Neh 13:12

The CURSE for ROBBING GOD is always on the priest. STILL NO CASH. The priests had failed to teach about the tithe so that extra "tithes' were added. As we not, God promised that the king would take a tithe of everthing you own

That happens today when the PREACHER casts out the "vocational deacons" and gives his bonding buddies good jobs as MINISTERS of families or, God preserve us, a MISSIONARY IN RESIDENCE. There are no VOCATIONS in the church other than evangelists. Therefore, the PILING ON of the unlawful "ministers become masters" should land them and those who hire them into a jail breaking big rocks into little rocks. "Be sure your sins will find you out."

Spending the time and resources on "friendship with the world" was the sin of the rulers (Neh 13:11) and not of the tithers. Once order was restored, the people began to bring in their tithes (Neh 13:12).

In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. Neh 13: 15

God didn't give the Sabbath as a day of worship but of a day of rest. You cannot do "church" without violating this law. The first day was set aside for rest because the pagans would begin to worship on the first day. This, like the Sabbath, quarnintined people from the "temples" and forced them to devote themselves to the assembly as a "school of the Bible."

Can't bring in your tithe on the Sabbath: just once every three years at harvest time.

Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Neh 13: 17

Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. Neh 13: 18

No music on the Sabbath: tuning strings was work and PROFANING meant:

Chalal (h2490) khaw-lal'... fig. to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an "opening wedge"); denom. (from 2485) to play (the flute): - begin (* men began), defile, * break, defile, * eat (as common things), * first, * gather the grape thereof, * take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

No worship on the Sabbath: only REST.

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. Neh 13: 19

Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. Neh 13: 21

And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Neh 13: 22

Jesus died to remove the burden laded by the Pharisees, Scribes and Hypocrites. This burden was "spiritual anxiety created by religious rituals." It also included ADDED TAXES such as the tithe even after the death of Jesus Christ.

The REST which everyone sought was to just cool it and sit at the feet of Jesus as He still speaks to us through His Word. When we READ the word and can say "thus saith the Lord" then WE are prophets and speaking HIS Words prays that the Living Word will heal and educate our spirits.

If there is a speaker defined as a Pastor-Teacher he is to "teach that which has been taught." He cannot improvize without mocking Lord Jesus Christ.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;

However, our ministry is out in the world where any talent we have can be sued to SERVE other people:

if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:

Then God is given the glory because He gave the WORD and he gave the talents:

that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1Pe.4:11

No Seeker Centers for the "mixed multitudes."

In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: Neh 13: 23

And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews language, but according to the language of each people. Neh 13: 24

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Neh 13:26

Malachi And SEED Money Giving

Paul warned about the hucksters or peddlers (2 Cor 2:17). He claimed that he was not a "trained retailer" of God's Word. This does not prevent some "ministries" from promising that God will send you five thousand dollars if you send them one thousand dollars as the "seed." We used to fool the laying hens with that scheme!

One of many comparisons shows that the robbery was the same in Malachi and Nehemiah:

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood,	But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law;
and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Neh 13:29	ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 2:8

In Malachi, the priests refused to give the glory to God and to teach knowledge as the messenger of the Law. Furthermore, they refused to feed the true workers from the temple store room:

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you,

O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Malachi 1:6

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. Malachi 1:7

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:8

The priests were profiteers: they put surplus lambs on their own rented or purchased lands and then gave the LORD te blind and sick. In this, the PRIESTS ROBBED GOD, set the example and the whole "like the nation's" temple state--added as a curse--fell.

And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your (priests) means: will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:9

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Malachi 1:10

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11

Nehemiah informs us that one of the important TITHED produce of the farm was various forms of incense. Remember:

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. Neh 13:5

Therefore, if you are going to restore the LEGALISTIC tithe you had better keep the fires of animal sacrifice and incense burning in your TEMPLE or the CURSE you pronounce on the wage earners and widows will come crashing down on your silly head.

Here is the kind of TITHE God authorizes and if you try to take the widow's CASH then "God's name is dreadful" for you:

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. Malachi 1:13

But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. Malachi 1:14

The self-appointed PRIEST who stands over all believers as Priests is the one who is cursed just for daring to suggest that Jesus didn't pay all of the TAXES for the "sons of the King."

AND now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. Mal 2:1

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Mal 2:2

Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. Mal 2: 3

The tithing covenant was only with the priestly tribe of Levi. And don't let them scam you with Jacob's and Melchizedek's tithe.

And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal.2:4

My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. Mal.2: 5

The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. Mal.2: 6

For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Mal 2:7

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 2: 8

Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Mal 2:9

The wage earners did not need to be purified. Therefore, they were not the robbers of whom God said that it is the clergy tribe which needs TO BE PURIFIED. Malachi does not apply this to the general population or to "members of the church" as distinct to the clergy:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Mal 3:3

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. Mal 3:4

While in Babylonian Captivity, the people were somewhat cured of paganism or idolatry. However, the priestly class and false prophets (male and female) always held "seminars" to "steal" their messages from one another. Jer 23:30). Then they "muttered and whispered" into old wineskins (the familiar spirit or drum of the witch of Endor) and pretended that their non-biblical message was from God. They were really practicing a form of ancient and modern witchcraft. Therefore, God warned about the MUSICAL ENCHANTERS:

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers (whisper a magic spell), and against the adulterers, and against false swearers,

and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal 3:5

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:6

The hirelings and widows had no free lands. Therefore, it was never lawful to take any part of wages they had earned by their own hands as opposed to income of produce which they got free from free lands.