To Tithe Or Not To Tithe

To Tithe or not to tithe…

Malachi 3:8-10

Introduction:

*I have broken my sermon series to bring to you a message that needs to

be given. As leaders, sometimes we can get caught up in the details and

look at things without realizing that the congregation at large doesn’t

know most of the details we are caught up in.

*I bring this message this morning on giving because we need to do better

as a church. I believe we can.

*Throughout the years, God has released great blessings when his children

whole-heartedly followed him. If you “Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to

overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

(NIV). What a great promise from Scripture! Do you realize that this

inspired promise still applies to us today? Deciding to make your tithe a

starting point in your giving allows God the opportunity he’s looking for

to bless you in ways he would not otherwise.

*The book of Malachi reveals how important the tithe is to God. When his

people refused to honor him with their wealth, God actually accused them

of stealing from him:

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, ’How do we rob you?’

"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- the whole nation of

you-- because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the

storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says

the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of

heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough

for it.” Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV).

*God’s word says that when his people obeyed him by tithing, he would

shower them with material blessing. But when they refused to follow his

wishes regarding their giving, the Bible says they fell “under a curse.”

*Sometimes, Christians get swept up in a debate over whether or not we’re

required to tithe, when that’s not the real question. The real question

is, does the promise of Malachi 3:9-10 still apply today?

*There is not a passage in the New Testament that rescinded this promise,

just as I have found no New Testament passage that ever rescinded God’s

rainbow promise about a flood.

*Do you believe God will never destroy the earth by water again? How do

you know? Your confidence is based on the promise found in Genesis 9.

This promise did not have to be restated in the New Testament in order to

be valid today, just as the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 about guidance did

not have to be restated. God’s promise in regard to tithing is no

different. Our decision to give 10% of our income back to God reflects

our reliance on him as the source of al our blessings. This kind of faith

pleases the Lord and brings abundant blessing.

*I don’t want us to fall prey to legalistic righteousness and require the

New Testament to command us to tithe before we use this simple measure as

a generosity standard. We could miss many of God’s richest blessings if

we refuse to take him at his word.

*Both biblical principles and practical experiences demonstrate the power

of tithing in a Christian’s life. Since God’s word repeatedly uses the

sowing and reaping illustration to encourage giving back to him, it’s a

powerful exercise to see what will happen when we take him at his word

and tithe as a starting point for giving. What will we reap?

Power Principle 1 ­ Tithing motivates greater faithfulness.

*Did you know that Jesus actually taught his followers to live by a

higher standard than the one given in the Old Testament? Obviously, we

too, want to please him an be faithful to his call. Jesus contrasted the

requirements of the Law with the plan for his followers.

*On your outline in your bulletin, look at the Scripture references under

Power Principle 1: I want to see which is the higher standard, the Law of

Moses or the way of Christ?

OT: Do not murder ­ NT: Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer.

OT: Do not commit adultery ­ NT: Anyone who lusts commits adultery in his

heart.

OT: Do not swear falsely by God’s name ­ NT: Do not swear at all.

OT: The entire tithe will be holy to the Lord ­ NT: Give as you are

prospered.

*An exhaustive study of Scripture reveals this often overlooked truth:

Jesus’ way always calls for greater faithfulness and commitment than was

required in the Old Testament. Can giving possibly be an exception? It

follows clearly that no one who wants to be faithful to God would ever