Author Gary Chapman popularized “the Five Love Languages” as a concept for relationships to flourish. He asserted that we all have a particular way of expressing our love and a particular language of receiving love. The five he names are Gift Giving, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. The book was popular for marriages but is also true of family and friendship. Of course, it only works if you’re being fully sincere in how you’re showing your love in any language–and if the recipient knows so as well. The prophet Malachi comes out swinging against Israel for their lax gift giving towards God. The gifts given at the temple altar in worship would be pleasing to God. He doesn’t need our gifts, as the whole universe is his handiwork, but as a way for us to show love it can bring God delight. But the full offering isn’t being brought. The best offerings are being withheld by the priests and being exchanged for sub-par sacrifices of diseased, blind, or lame animals. First of all, that is illegal according to the Law of Moses as found in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Second, better offerings were available but switched or withheld. Third, if the priests are doing this, the people will follow suit in bad habits. But underlying all else, the theme of Malachi can be found in the subheadings in your Bible: “Breaking Covenant by/through…” God is the ultimate keeper of promises made. People then and now ought to heed Malachi’s words. We wouldn’t dare give a half-hearted gift to a loved one or an insulting gift to a governor as Malachi 1:8 points out. So why do this towards the Lord Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth? God is invisible to us, but that does not mean the Lord is blind to what we’re doing! Malachi’s main focus is on us, the people of God, keeping covenant with God: observing God’s goodness to us and reciprocating within our own means and love languages. “Bring the full tithe…” says Malachi 3. Granted, some prosperity preachers have used this as a way to say if we give to the church God will make us rich. I don’t think that’s true in the worldly way these preachers mean, nor is that the true thesis of Malachi. Knowing the five love languages doesn't guarantee a happy marriage, but it sure is worth the effort to love fully and love well. We aren’t manipulating God when we tithe, thinking that this practice will make us millionaires. But when we give, do we give fully and out of love? How can Malachi spur you towards exercising the giving and receiving of love from the Lord? Jesus gave us the Gifts of life, salvation, eternal life and spiritual gifts. We can bring our gifts to him. Christ Serves us in prayer, interceding at the throne. How can we serve the Lord with all our might? We are given the Words of Scripture and Christ the Living Word. How can our words reflect love to God and neighbor? Malachi 3:7 reminds us of spending quality time with God: “Return to me and I will return to you.” Are we giving quality time to God or leftover scraps of time? Physical touch is well understood among people, but I wonder if we need to remember those moments where “my heart was strangely warmed” (John Wesley) as a way of being touched. How can we use our own sense of spiritual touch to bless others? Think of a piece of music or art or a movie scene that moves you, touches you deep in your soul. Long for Jesus to move you in that way! God will keep on keeping covenant promises. Let us respond with the fullness of love! - Pastor Steven