There was no doubt that the Israelites of Malachi’s day offered something to the Lord. It was forbidden to appear before the Lord empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16). But as noted in the explanation of the previous verse, it would be difficult for the priests to know with exactness what a person’s income was. But the all-knowing God saw the shortcomings in the tithes given, and he commanded the people to repent of their sin and to bring the full tithe to the temple. Anything less than full obedience is sin, and half measures are unacceptable to the Lord.
10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.