Giving

MALACHI 3:7-12

A man had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. a rich uncle died and left him a million dollars. The preacher asked the patient what he would do if he inherited a million dollars. “I think I would give half of it to the church.” preacher dropped dead.

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING - 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

The principle is three fold

A. Tithing (declaration of God’s authority over your life)

1. It was established before the LAW. - Genesis 14:

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

2.It was DURING the law.

3.It was Commended by JESUS - Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

B. Benevolence - Alms - Matt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

C. Offerings and gifts are IN ADDITION to tithing.

II. THE PRACTICE OF GIVING

A. It reflects our RELATIONSHIP with the Lord.

7 Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

B. It reflects our RETURN to the Lord -

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.

C. It reflects our RELIANCE on the Lord

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

D. It reflects our REJOICING in the Lord

12 And all nations shall call you blessed:

III. THE PROMISE FOR GIVING.

A. The RESTORATION of fellowship.

7 Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

B. The REMOVAL of the curse. - 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

C. The REWARD of the blessing - 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

D. The REBUKE of the devourer

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.