Tithing

Cherem 1999

February 7, 1999 AM

Deut 29:9

(Deu 29:9 NKJV) "Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

Most of you know that one Sunday each February I minister on Tithing.

Most of you also know that the center focus of that message usually has to do with the "cherem principle".

And indeed we will get to that this morning -- but I want to address some other points before we get into the cherem principle.

One of the richest men of this planet was a man by the name of Abram.

He was the Sam Walton of his day -- or the Bill Gates of his era.

Look with me at the story of Abram -- (Gen 12:1 NKJV) Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.

(Gen 12:2 NKJV) I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.

(Gen 12:3 NKJV) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Note verse 2 -- "I will bless you -- and you will be a blessing."

Write this down -- you need to always remember this -- this is a revelatory truth;

The ultimate purpose of financial prosperity is to preach the gospel.

The ultimate purpose of financial prosperity is to preach the gospel.

With that understanding then we can set in order the principles of financial prosperity.

Understanding that the purpose of our being blessed is to make the gospel known.

The foundation, or primary principle of financial wellbeing -- based on God’s economy, and based on God’s provision --

That’s important, because there are lots of rich non-believers.

But there wealth is not based on God’s economy.

And when world markets collapse, or financial disaster hits -- their wealth is subject to destruction.

However -- wealth based on God’s economy is not subject to the world’s markets.

God’s provision supercedes world catastrophes.

God’s abundance is inexhaustable.

The primary foundational principle of God’s economy is the principle of tithing, or the cherem principle.

You say why is that?

Look at (Gen 14:18 NKJV) Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.

(Gen 14:19 NKJV) And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;

(Gen 14:20 NKJV) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.

This same principle was recorded in the new testament as well -- (Heb 7:1 NKJV) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

(Heb 7:2 NKJV) to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,"

That’s for all those who don’t believe tithing is mentioned in the new testament.

But there is a greater principle to note here:

First -- Abram was tithing prior to any "law" being given.

Some folks believe that tithing was done away with because we are out from under the law.

Good theory, lousy theology -- using that theology we could say that murder is okay now -- Jesus abolished the law.

Or stealing is okay now -- we are not under the law.

The real fact is: tithing was never attached to any of the laws. It was a principle of living that God ordained from the earliest times.

I really need more than one message to deal with all of the excuses and false teachings that circulate about tithing.

But I am afraid that if I teach on this for more than one week -- no body will come the second week.

I guess we could hand out contracts stating that you agree to pay tithe if I promise not to preach for three hours today.

The first presentation of the cherem principle or the first fruits offering, or the tithe was with Cain and Able.

(Gen 4:3 NKJV) And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.

(Gen 4:4 NKJV) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,

(Gen 4:5 NKJV) but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.