Faithfulness In A Parallel World - Part 3

Today we will start a 2 part series on “ Faithfulness in a parallel world.”

This morning we will discuss:

Faithfulness in a Parallel World - In our Giving

• The Who, How, Why and What of Gods plan for us and what He has given us.

Next Sunday: Faithfulness in a parallel Word – Gods Image vs. Mans Image Part 2

• Marriage and its purpose and importance to Gods plan

First let me start by explaining the meaning of a parallel world. Gen. 1:1-31 don’t read

a) Gen. 1 tells us that in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Vs. 2 tells of the presence of His Holy Spirit hovering over the work.

b) Both John 1 and Hebrews 1 speak of Christ’s part in creation.

c) When each day of creation was completed it would end with Gods pronunciation that it was good.

d) But when God made man on the 6th day He added one more word. It was Very Good.

Just for a peek into what God had intended we see vs. 27-31

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

That was God’s World, perfect, sinless and a place of communion or fellowship with God.

Enter Genesis 3 and the temptation of Satan and the fall of Man. Adam & Eve.

This records the entry if you will of an alternate world. A world in direct opposition to Gods Will and purpose.

We all know what followed. Through one man Adam, sin entered the world and through one man Jesus sin is atoned for that we might be restored to a right place with God.

This morning we will talk about our faithfulness to God as stewards in what He gives us and what He asks us to give back.

As early as Genesis Chapter 4 we get a glimpse of the two worlds of giving.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

• God doesn’t give us the particulars but we draw from this passage that He does have specifics in what we bring to Him.

We see perhaps the first parallel – Abel brought an animal sacrifice God was pleased.

Cain brought fruit and God wasn’t pleased.

We also see the conclusion of that – Rather than obey Cain kills his brother Abel.

Scripture tells us to obey is better than sacrifice. God requires our obedience in our giving.

There are snippets after this regarding offering and Tithe but we get our first pre law view in Genesis 14

Abraham has taken his servants and gone out and rescued his nephew Lot from a consortium of Kings who have come up against the people of Sodom. We read in Gen. 14

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High,

who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Again- we get a look at that parallel world

Abraham gives a 10 of all he has to Melchizedek who we read again about in the NT in Hebrews.