6 Questions We Don't Ask Out Loud About Tithing Pt. 2 Series

Taking the "Stew" Out of Stewardship (Part 4 of 4)

6 Questions We Don’t Ask Out Loud About Tithing, Pt. 2

Key points and thoughts from Pastor Leland Patrick

Mal. 3:8-10

Jan. 28, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction:

A (IL)

B Last week we asked the first 3 of 6 questions people don’t ask out loud about tithing:

1 What should a tither’s attitude be? (cheerful/grateful)

2 What should be the amount of the tithe? (10%). Explain the difference between tithe & offering.

3 What priority should tithing be given? (protect/commit)

C Let’s ask the last 3 questions.

1 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ’How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Mal 3:8-10 (NASB)

2 Pray

IV Where is the place you give your tithe?

A In Malachi’s time, the temple served as a warehouse for the produce the Israelites brought.

1 The temple was the place the Israelites would worship.

a The temple was where they gathered to pray, hear God’s word, worship, bring offering, enjoy fellowship, grow as Old Testament saints, & receive ministry.

b Their tithe (money & grain offerings) would be stored at the temple, which in turn was used for 3 things:

aa Sacrificial purposes

bb To support the priests & their families

cc For emergencies that came up

2 Sounds like a church, doesn’t it?

B Your storehouse is where you’re spiritually fed, nurtured, & taught. YOUR CHURCH!

1 I believe your regular giving should be through your local church because of the sacred place it holds in the heart of God.

a And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:22-23 (NASB)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her Eph 5:25 (NASB)

...but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Tim 3:15 (NASB)

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28 (NASB)

b God established & loves the Church.

2 You may ask, "Is it all right if I tithe to support a television ministry or some other ministry outside of the local church?" Simple, no

a It’s O.K. to support other ministries (they are part of the body), but the tithe should support the local church.

b Jesus entrusted the local church to be the steward of His work at that place.

aa Joel Ostein is NOT going to counsel your through your divorce or the loss of your child, Joyce Meyer is NOT going to visit your sick father.

bb Creflo Dollar is NOT going to serve you communion. National ministries have their place, & God does use them.

C (IL) Have a pie on hand, & several people with plates & spoons. This pie represents our household income.

1 How do you spend your money? What do you spend it on? (Allow congregation to answer).

a Then ask for a percentage & scoop out the corresponding percentage of the pie onto a plate (go through several expenditures until pie is gone & only crumbs are left).

b Then take crumbs & put them in a napkin as a lone usher comes with an offering plate & I put the napkins in the offering plate.

2 Invest crumbs at church, understand your results will be crummy, too.

V What is the purpose of tithing?

A In Malachi, Israel gave to support priests at the temple.

1 The priests represented God & God’s work.

a Taking care of the priests (& ministers) is one purpose of giving.

aa Some would argue that ministers should draw no salary, but should hold a full-time job like everyone else.

bb The Bible addresses this issue. Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. 1 Cor 9:13-14 (NASB)