Although Jeanie and I have been faithfully tithing for many years I’ve always struggled with talking to the church about the tithe. And it shouldn’t be that way.
There are more than 500 verses in the Bible concerning prayer, 500 verses concerning faith, but more than 2000 verses on the subject of money and possessions.
Jesus talked about money in 16 of his 38 parables. Clearly, from the Bible’s standpoint we need to understand money and how to handle it.
How I handle the money in my possession says a lot about my priorities, loyalties and affections.
So I never want to twist somebody’s arm to honor God with their finances because if I have to twist their arm to give they may give but it’s not honoring God!
I never want to manipulate someone to give because really they’re not giving out of the right heart if they have to be manipulated to give!
I’ve never wanted people to give because they feel like they’re paying dues to the church or having to follow some kind of rule about returning their tithes to God.
BUT THIS PAST WEEK I OPENED MY BIBLE TO A SCRIPTURE THAT EXPLODED IN MY HEART.
I’ll get to that but first, there’s something we need to know about God!
God doesn’t have to love you. He GETS to love you!!
Here’s God’s attitude, “I GET TO LOVE THEM!”
Micah 7:8 (NLT)- “Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.”
HOW DID GOD SHOW HIS UNFAILING LOVE?
John 3:16- “For God so loved the world he gave…..”
And the Bible speaks plenty about our attitude when we give!
Deuteronomy 15:10- “Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.”
2 Corinthians 9:7- “…..For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
NOW I SAID ALL THAT TO GET TO MY PRIMARY TEXT FOR TODAY
Story of Jacob finding a stone and resting his head and then dreaming of a stairway with angels going up and down the stairway.
At the top of the stairway is the Lord, God and He begins to remind Jacob of the covenant He made with Jacob’s grandfather Abraham.
JACOB HAS AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. After he wakes up he pours olive oil over the stone and calls the place “Bethel” which means the House of God.
Genesis 28:22- “And this memorial pillar shall become a place for worship; and I will give you back a tenth of everything you give me!”
WHY TITHE
When I tithe, it’s more than just a principle I’m following, it’s more than just a law I’m abiding by, it’s so much more than these things.
1. When I Tithe I Worship!
Worship is the response of a grateful and humble person!
When we worship with our tithe it’s the response of a grateful, humble people expressing their praise to God for His provision!
When we worship with our tithe we are saying “GOD I TRUST YOU.”
“The Bible tells us that tithing is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances. But the tithe wasn’t put in place for God’s benefit—He already owns everything. He doesn’t need our money. Instead, tithing is meant for our benefit because sacrificing a portion of our income helps us look outside our selfishness and makes us more aware of the needs of others. In fact, one of the main purposes of tithing is to support the needs of pastors and the work of the local church. Tithes help pay the pastor’s salary, keep the church’s lights on, and meet the needs of the community.
Tithing is an act of faith that helps us keep our priorities straight. It reminds us that we don’t own anything in this life. God is in control, and we’re only managers of what He’s given us.Ever notice how unselfish people tend to make better spouses, friends, relatives, employees and employers? Yeah, they usually have better finances too!
That’s the beauty of tithing. We don’t give to get, but God often blesses us with more if we’re good managers of what we already have. Tithing recognizes that God is our provider and that we will prosper with more than just money if we rely on Him.”
(Dave Ramsey)
When I tithe I worship my provider, God!
WHY TITHE
2. Tithing is a Test
Tithing is a Test of your Heart.
Matthew 6:21- “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Matthew 15:8- “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Tithe means Tenth and the number ten represents testing in the Bible.
- How many plagues were in Egypt? (God tested Pharaohs heart)
- How many commandments did God give Moses?
- How many times did God test Israel in the wilderness?
- How many times were Jacobs wages changed?
- How many days was Daniel tested in Daniel chapter 1?
- How many virgins were tested in Matthew 25?
- How many days was the church in Revelation 2:10 tested?
- How many disciples did Jesus have?
The number 10 (tithe) represents a testing. Every time you get paid you’re tested!
IN FACT IT’S A TWO WAY TEST.
Malachi 3:6-12- ““I am God—yes, I Am. I haven’t changed. And because I haven’t changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven’t been destroyed. You have a long history of ignoring my commands. You haven’t done a thing I’ve told you. Return to me so I can return to you,” says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
“You ask, ‘But how do we return?’ “Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. “You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’
“The tithe and the offering—that’s how! And now you’re under a curse—the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple.
Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers.” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. “You’ll be voted ‘Happiest Nation.’ You’ll experience what it’s like to be a country of grace.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.”
Tithing is Worship! Tithing is a Test
3. Tithing is an expression of Love
John 3:16- “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Tithing is an expression of my love to God and his church!
What if I told my wife I loved her but everything I have is mine and she can’t have anything. You’d call me a hypocrite!
Tithing is Personal to God!
ILLUSTRATION: I’m going away and I want three people to take care of my wife, my bride. Three people that are good friends of the family, they all love me and my bride. I have the money and I’m going to give each one of them $1000.00.
(Three people) One friend says, she can take of herself and gives nothing. The next friend gives $20.00 and keeps the rest to themselves. But the third friend gives my bride $100.00 and then gives another $100.00 because they really love my bride and wants to bless her generously!
To whom am I going to give more money to?
Jesus said, “I’m going away. Take care of my wife.” Doesn’t the Bible refer to the church as the bride of Christ.
CLOSING: “If you look for REASONS not to TITHE, YOU will FIND A LOT. BUT IF YOU HAVE A REVELATION OF THE AMAZING LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS, You are HONORED AND BLESSED THAT YOU GET TO TITHE to the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD of LORDS, Our SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS!!”
WHY TITHE?
- I Tithe because tithing is worship. 2. I tithe because tithing is a test of my trust in God. 3. I tithe because it’s an expression of love to Jesus and His church.
Jeanie and I have a boundary we don’t step outside of.
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU THROUGH THIS MESSAGE