Sermon Central
-
Bring The Tithe To The Storehouse
Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2023 (message contributor)
When I was a young boy, I started mowing yards to make money so I could buy hundreds and hundreds of baseball cards! When I made my first money, my mother reminded me of what God says in the Bible about tithing. "Now, son, the word tithe means one-tenth. God asks us to bring 1 out of every 10 dollars to Him and give it to His church."
"Why does God need my money? You said He aleady owns everything in the world. Why does He need my one little dollar?" I asked in a little bit of self-righteous anger.
"God doesn't need your money. He does that to build His Church on the earth through us. And He also does this to remind you that every dollar you make mowing yards belongs to Him because He does own everything. Everything in our lives belongs to Him. We don't own anything. We are just renters. It all belongs to Him, even our money."
I mulled through that theological teaching for a moment. That's pretty tough for a kid who wants to buy baseball cards with that money!
Then Mom read the one verse we all know in Malachi - "Bring all of the tithes into the STOREHOUSE, says the Lord." I stopped her right there.
"What is a storehouse?" I asked.
Mom explained in simple words that the "Storehouse" was a storage room inside of the Temple in Jerusalem where the Jews in the Old Testament worshipped God. They used this space to store up grain for the hungry and needy of the congregation and community and also to give to the priests who served the people in the Temple.
It is how they fed people.
"Hmmmmm, never heard that one. That was a long time ago. So, where is the Storehouse now?" I asked.
Mom replied, "The Storehouse today in my opinion is the local church where we serve God and where we are fed spiritually. Sometimes, Dad and I give to missionaries outside of our church, but we do not call that a tithe. It is not part of our 10% to the church. The Bible calls that an offering. It is above and beyond our tithes."
Mom was the greatest theologian I ever met. Through years of working on a doctorate in ministry, I never heard anyone explain tithing better than my Mom.
In her latter years, Mom used to say, "The reason why we have been blessed with so many years on this good earth is because of God's faithfulness to honor the Word and to honor our tithes."
Mom is gone Home now...but the lesson on the Storehouse has stayed in my heart all of these years. What is that lesson?
Put your local storehouse, your home church, first in your giving. Give to outside ministries with an offering above your tithe if you feel led. But don't forsake your local church family who cares for you each week as opposed to a popular minister on social media who will never even know your name.
- Dr. Larry Petton
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A Natural Example Of This Point Can Be Found By ...
Contributed by David Schaal on May 20, 2004
A natural example of this point can be found by looking at the two seas in the Holy Land. The Sea of Galilee freely receives and gives out water. It has an abundance of life, nurturing many different kinds of fish and plant life. The water from the Sea of Galilee is carried by way of the Jordan ...read more
-
Spurgeon (1) Wrote, " I Think I May Say To Every ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Raisbeck on Jul 18, 2003
Spurgeon (1) wrote, " I think I may say to every person whom I am addressing,-If you are yourself saved, the work is but half done until you are employed to bring others to Christ. You are as yet but half formed in the image of your Lord. You have not attained to the full development of the ...read more
-
Several Years Ago At A Promise Keepers ...
Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 3, 2005
Several years ago at a Promise Keepers conference, Dennis Rainey placed animal traps on stage. They were big ones too. Bear traps and even an African safari large animal trap that took two men to open. There were a dozen or so traps, and he set or opened them all. Then Dennis Rainey had a father ...read more
-
A Mercedes Benz Tv Commercial Has A Camera ... PRO
Contributed by Robert Robinson on Oct 17, 2005
A Mercedes Benz TV commercial has a camera follow their car as it collides with a cement wall during a safety test. The car comes through the test amazingly well — far less damage to the body than you would expect, and leaving the crash dummy without a mark. A man then interviews the company ...read more
-
Martin Luther Had Visitors For Dinner One Day. ...
Contributed by Dan Mahan on Jan 7, 2007
Martin Luther had visitors for dinner one day. His puppy happened to be at the table, looking for a morsel from his master. The puppy watched with open mouth and motionless eyes. Martin Luther said, "Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Church Of The New Testament - Part 6 Series
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 14, 2018
Part 6 - While still in its infancy, the church began to experience serious problems. Problems in the church from inside and outside sources seem to be a common element that plagues Christians in every age. What is the solution?
-
Heals Ten Lepers Series
Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 12, 2017
Jesus healed ten lepers. But Jesus was grieved because only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him for what He had done. Jesus then did a second thing for him—He forgave his sins. The other nine lepers were healed, but they were not saved.
-
Faithfulness In Service
Contributed by Kayode Omotoso on Oct 12, 2017
You must be faithful to Him who has appointed you.
-
The Marks Of A Successful Church
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 5, 2014
What is the REAL evidence of a successful church.
-
The Purpose Of Walls
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 23, 2015
God built His church to be ONE... but Satan builds walls to divide that church. How do we identify what the Devil does so that we can unify our church and challenge the power of the evil one?
