The Tithing Principal; Understanding Why We Give Series

The Tithing principal; Understanding why we give

Malachi 3:6-12

Introduction-

We have looked at two things in our series looking for answers.

We have looked at what it means to be alive in Christ and what it means not to be alive in Christ.

Last week, we looked at why we do the things we do. We saw that there is a battle that goes on inside each of us weather we are going to do the things God wants for our lives or if we are going to do the things our way and rebel against God.

This morning, I want to look at giving. Not just money, but really centering on it. Understanding why we give.

There is a tithing principal and what does God’s Word say about it.

Last time I preached on money was several months ago and before that I cannot even remember giving a message on tithing.

I hope you will keep an open mind as we look into God’s word. Some people are looking for answers about money.

Some do not understand why we give. Why should I give? I don’t have an abundance of money. Let those who have plenty support the church.

I work hard for my money! I will spend it! Where ever your answer liess, I hope you want to hear what God says about it.

Malachi 3:6-12-

It is the last book in the Old Testament before the New Testament book of Matthew.

Preachers who talk about money are often accused of only thinking about money.

The Bible talks about money the same as the Bible talks about prayer, healing, and following God. We don’t mind you talking about prayer and healings, but when you talk about money it gets a little personal.

There are over 2300 verses in the Bible about money.

God does not need your money! God owns everything! If He needs it, He has it!

But you do!- I do! We need money and that is why He talks about it.

He gives us direction and promises to meet our needs if we are good stewards of the money that God gives us.

The word that sticks out to me in this passage is the word robbed!

Robbing is one of the 10 Commandments as God says to us not to steal.

God tells the Nation of Israel that they are robbing God for not bringing the tithes and offerings into the temple or the church.

He says to them that some have rebelled for years and that it was spiritual disobedience to God.

God says that 10 percent of our income is God’s.

There is a blessing for faithfulness and a curse for disobedience.

I heard numerous things on the blessing and the curse. We all want the blessings and none want the curse, but not all of us want to be obedient to God to get them.

I heard God has all the money He needs, unfortunately it is still in your pocket.

The one where the dollar bill and a 10 dollar bill are talking and the dollar bill says to the ten that he gets to go to all the exciting places and that he only gets to go to church and a waitress’s pocket.

Most of us would not make very good rich people.

It would corrupt and change some of our thinking.

Some would never be in church because of new toys and places to go.

Give you an example:

God gives you ten dollars. He says that we are to give back one dollar. That is not too bad.

He gives you 100 dollars. We are to give Him 10 dollars back. A little harder.

He gives you a 1000 dollars, you are to give Him back 100 dollars.

You see where I am going with this?

The more God gives us, the harder it is to give back.

I should rephrase that- we don’t give back to God- How do you give back to someone who owns everything! And gave some to you! You return to God 1/10 of what He has given you.

10 % God’s , 90% yours. Right off the top.

God don’t need your money to be God, the church does need your money to be His church.

If I was faithful to my wife 364 days a year, I would still be unfaithful.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house”

The storehouse is the center of God’s activities for His people. The storehouse is the church!

Some believe in sending their money to Para Church ministries. God says the storehouse gets the first 10 percent. Para churches get offerings above and beyond the tithe.

You don’t go to Ruby Tuesday to eat and go pay your bill at Applebee’s.