How Shall We Return? Series

Introduction:

There are two great days in a person’s life -- the day we are born and the day we discover why.

To make God’s name great through your life…

The Main Point: Since Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts; you ought to walk with Him through the use of your money.

1st Section: Evidences of His love

2nd Section: Evidences of irreverence

3rd Section: Coming judgment

This last major section of Malachi contains God’s invitation for His people to return to Him (3:7-4:6).

These Israelites were literally robbing God of what was rightfully His. It was a failure in their stewardship of His material property.

I. Understand the truths regarding money!

A. In regards to God (Lev. 27:30; 25:30).

1. God owns everything therefore (Deut. 8:18).

Deu 8:18 "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth…

Hag 2:8 'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts.

Psa 50:10-12 "For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11 "I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. 12 "If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.

2. God doesn’t need your money (1 Cor. 4:7).

1Co 4:7 … What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

B. In regards to yourself.

1. Money has the potential of being your master (Mt 6:24).

Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

ILLUSTRATION

Rich man Luke 12:16-21

2. God intends you to have more money than you need.

Eph 4:28 ….. he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

C. In regards to people.

1. Money has the potential of being used for great good!

Context: Use of money

1Jn 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? (2 Ki. 4:1-7)

2. The use of money is a means of fellowship with God’s people.

Context: Use of money

Php 4:14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. Php 4:18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

2Co 8:3-4 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,

Act 4:34-35 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

3. Satan attacks God’s people in the area of their money.

He wants to get you to worship money (Ecc. 5:10-17).

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

ILLUSTRATION

John Wesley: 1st rule: Get all the money you can.

2nd rule: Save all you can.

3rd rule: Give away all you can.

When I die if I have more than 10 pounds to my name the whole world will know that John Wesley died as a thief.

Just as John Wesley understood money can be used for great good, even so we ought to use God’s money for good.

Application:

Now what? Let’s past the test! Show God’s love through the use of His money. Mat 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Determine to budget your money and plan your giving… … give systematically, liberally, cheerfully, and as the Lord has prospered them (you), that is, proportionately.

How shall you return?

Transitional Statement: Understand the truths regarding money; secondly, since Jesus is the Lord of hosts, fulfill God’s purpose for money.

II. Fulfill God’s purpose for money!

A. Use it to turn to Him.

1. Why God had them give a TITHE?

Its purpose was to teach Israel to worship God, to learn to fear or revere Him, and to celebrate with Him and the community. He is the possessor of all material goods.