Living the Blessed Life Text: Matthew 6:19-21
How many of you want to live a blessed life? 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I. In the past I haven’t been a pastor who has taught on tithing and finances, but today most marriages that end in divorce, end over money. I can preach or teach on faith and it gets people excited faith is mentioned in the Bible over 500 times. I can preach or teach on prayer and you will amen me. Prayer is mentioned over 500 times.
A. But I can teach or preach on giving and tithing and some will get mad. But giving and tithing is mentioned in God’s word over 2,000 times! Therefore, giving and tithing must be very important unto God!
B. Priority #1. God wants everyone to walk in the entire blessing He has for His people! Proverbs 10:22 the blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
C. Tithing is a simple act of faith! On the average 20% of church members actually tithe. John Bunyan, author of the classic book “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.” In Matthew 6:1 Jesus talks about charitable deeds being done in secret, but God’s tithe isn’t charitable deeds!
D. #2. You are giving unto the creator who first gave His tithe (Jesus) for our sins! II.Cor. 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. II. Cor. 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
E. Understand, our church does a lot, but how much more could we do if everyone became obedient in their giving? Giving of their time, visits, hospitals, fixing something for a single mom, are driving the van, helping a widow or ministering at a nursing homes Etc. Mal. 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, ( The tithe is His.)
F. There’s a pattern we have to learn to live the blessed life. What is a pattern? It’s something we use to do something correctly; a genuine pattern has been tested! Exodus 13: 1-2 NKJ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”
G. Say, “The first is His!” Amplified: Exodus 13:12-13 12You shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstlings of your livestock that are males shall be the Lord’s. 13Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem by [substituting for it] a lamb, or if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn among your sons shall you redeem. (God is serious!)
H. #3.The first is His. The firstborn must be sacrificed or it must be redeemed! God requires that the first belongs to Him. The donkey was unclean, but the sheep was clean. Therefore, the clean had to be sacrificed for the unclean. (Illustration, have 10-1 dollar bills.) Which one is clean? The first!
I. There’s a powerful type here today: Jesus depicts the sheep, and we depict the unclean donkey! The clean for the unclean!
J. Israel was redeemed by the blood of the lamb. The blood was placed on the top of the door and across the sides of the door of every Hebrews house depicting a cross! Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
K. A lot of people are against tithing. (It’s a heart issue.) Tithing is not just money, but it’s a principle that is established by God for us to walk in victory in our lives. Who is first in our life? Do you follow His pattern? Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
L. Exodus 23:19aThe first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God. ( God will never be second) Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.
M. In Joshua 6 After the walls of Jericho came down God wanted all the gold and silver to be given unto His house, but Achan took some of the accursed things for Himself. It was supposed to be destroyed, but Achan stole it and placed a cruse on all of Israel.
N. What you do with what God has entrusted you with, does matter! Now, “how many people want to live the blessed life?” #1. God wants you blessed. #2. Jesus became our tithe. #3. The first is His.
