6 Question We Don't Ask Out Loud About Tithing Pt. 1 Series

Taking the "Stew" Out of Stewardship (Part 3 of 4)

6 Questions We Don’t Ask Out Loud About Tithing

Malachi 3:8-10

Jan. 21, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction:

A Opening Story

B 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)

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Matt 23:23 (NASB)

But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. Luke 11:42 (NASB)

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness 2 Tim 3:16 (NASB)

I What should a tither’s attitude be?

A There is a right & wrong attitude to tithing.

1 At a little country church in need of a new roof, with few members & even less money, the local bank president (an ornery old cuss) would be the first one at church to get a back-row seat. He would sneak out during offertory prayer & avoid the offertory plate-everybody knew!

a One Sunday he was late & had to sit all the way up on the first row.

b The pastor prayed for Him to send money for the roof, & a piece of the ceiling fell & hit the banker on the head. The banker shouted, "I’ll give $1,000!"

c One of the men in back yelled, "Hit him again, Lord!" Obviously, both men needed an attitude adjustment!

2 These folks Malachi wrote to had the same attitudes that were so rotten that heaven could smell it! (Stunk to high heaven)

a Mal. 1:2 shows they doubted God’s love I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" Mal 1:2a (NASB), 1:13 revealed they didn’t bring what God required You also say, ’My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD. Mal 1:13 (NASB), & 2:17 discloses that they brought the torn, lame, sick sheep that were not fit for anything else You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?" Mal 2:17 (NASB).

b Very unhealthy attitudes!

3 There are good examples of the right attitude of tithers in the Old Testament.

a And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. Gen 14:20 (NASB) Abraham had just completed a military mission & was overwhelmed by gratitude for God’s blessing upon him. (What kind of attitude did Abraham have?)

b "This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You." Gen 28:22 (NASB) Jacob had been going through some personal problems with his family, & came to find peace with God; in that moment he set up a stone before God & committed himself to tithing. (What kind of attitude did Jacob have?)

c There is a vast contrast between the good attitudes of Abraham & Jacob & the bad attitudes of Malachi’s audience.

B But what is the right attitude? (Gratitude/cheerful)

1 Has He given you reason to be happy? Thankful? AMEN!

a God loves you, sent His Son, called you to salvation...SAVED!

b If you have not accepted God’s free gift of grace, today is the day.

2 We have reason to be cheerful givers. Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:6-7 (NASB)