“Bring the whole tithe into the treasure-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I open not to you the windows of the heavens, and pour you out a blessing, till there be no place for it.”—Malachi 3:10, Da.

The prophecy setting out the rule was given twenty-four centuries ago through the Hebrew prophet Malachi in these words: “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this way,’ says the LORD [Jehovah] of hosts, ‘and see if I will not open for you the windows of the heavens, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need.’”—Mal. 3:10, AT.

“Test me out, please, in this respect, . . . whether I shall not open to you people the floodgates of the heavens.”​—MALACHI 3:10.

Nevertheless, Jehovah promised that if they would bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, he would pour out a blessing until there was no more want. (Malachi 3:8-10)

It is a striking fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise: “‘Bring all the tenth parts into the storehouse, that there may come to be food in my house; and test me out, please, in this respect,’ Jehovah of armies has said, ‘whether I shall not open to you people the floodgates of the heavens and actually empty out upon you a blessing until there is no more want.’” (Malachi 3:10)

Showing what would follow if they did, Jehovah promised: “I shall . . . empty out upon you a blessing until there is no more want.” (Malachi 3:10)

“‘Test me out, please, in this respect,’ Jehovah of armies has said, ‘whether I shall not open to you people the floodgates of the heavens and actually empty out upon you a blessing until there is no more want.’”​—MALACHI 3:10.

He further invited them: “‘Test me out, please, in this respect,’ Jehovah of armies has said, ‘whether I shall not open to you people the floodgates of the heavens and actually empty out upon you a blessing until there is no more want.’” (Malachi 3:7, 10)

10. (a) What characteristic marks the latter part of Malachi’s prophecy? (b) What charge and what invitation and promise are given at Malachi 3:8-12?

¹⁰ As we look through the passage of Scripture from Malachi 3:7 to 4:6, we note a striking series of short, sharp sentences of adverse judgment, but in each case there is added a word of fine promise and encouragement, building up within us a great desire and incentive to share in the good things foretold.

Such bringers of tithes are additionally promised an unfailing fruitage, and they would be recognized by “all the nations” as a happy people, living under delightful conditions.—Mal. 3:8-12.

16. What encouragement do we find at Malachi 3:10-12?

¹⁶ There is a grand reward for all who put the self-serving, materialistic ways of the world behind them, as Malachi 3:10-12 indicates: “‘Test me out, please, in this respect,’ Jehovah of armies has said, ‘whether I shall not open to you people the floodgates of the heavens and actually empty out upon you a blessing until there is no more want.’”

What encouragement do we find at Malachi 3:10-12?

Lessons From the Scriptures: Malachi 1:1–4:6

They will experience unfailing fruitage.​—3:6-12.

A penetrating discussion of Malachi chapter three came next on the day’s program.

Those who know Jehovah as a person rejoice in the fine association of a international brotherhood and are made spiritually rich through God’s overflowing blessing. (Mal 3 Vs. 10)

They have been bringing the “whole tithe” into the treasure house of God, and he has opened up the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing till there was no place for it. (Mal. 3:10, Da)

Are you willing to meet the test?—namely, “Bring the whole tithe into the treasure-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I open not to you the windows of the heavens, and pour you out a blessing, till there be no place for it.”—Mal. 3:10, Da.

“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this way,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and see if I will not open for you the windows of the heavens, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need.’”—Mal. 3:10, AT.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift.”—Mal. 3:10, AT; 2 Cor. 9:15, NW.