When the Israelites marched around the walls of the city of Jericho, they were given explicit instructions regarding the precious metals and valuables of the city. Joshua commanded them, “But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord” (Josh. 6:19).
“They shall come into the treasury of the Lord!” But, when Achan took some of these riches and hid them in his tent, God told Joshua, “…they have also put it among their own stuff” (7:11). “Among their own stuff” is not the same as “into the treasury of the Lord.” When Achan failed to properly place God’s goods in God’s treasury, he robbed God (cf. Mal. 3:8)!
When God’s people do not properly give to “the treasury of the Lord”–with both the proper sacrifice and the proper spirit–we can rob God today! What a horrific thought! May God help us to joyously give to Him rather than keep all of His goods “among our own stuff”!