Sunday Sermon

The Blessing of Giving Dave Shaner March 30, 2003

Introduction:

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.  - Acts 20:35

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 3:10

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  - Luke 6:38

If generous giving prompts great blessings from God, then why doesn't every Christian give generously?  Malachi 3:10 & Luke 6:38 were not written to encourage manipulating God through selfishness.  He knows our hearts.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;  - Proverbs 3:9

Making a decision to honor the Lord with your wealth, will cause you receive a blessing that you would not see otherwise.

If, however, he cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, he is to bring as an offering for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He must not put oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering.  - Leviticus 5:11

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.  - II Corinthians 8:12

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. - Psalm 50:9-10

How do I decide what to give?  Consider using the tithe as a starting point.  Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth of a person's income.

Tithing is still God's plan for today:

I.  Tithing was a                                          to 1st century Christians.

A. We are not under the  Law, but it¹s teaching should not be ignored.

1.  Romans 15:4

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2.  II Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

B.  Malachi 3:8

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings."

C.  Hebrews 7:2

and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."

D.  II Corinthians 9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

II.  Tithing was never                        to the                 of                      .

A.  Genesis 14:20 - Abraham & Melchizedek

And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

B.  Genesis 28:22 - Jacob

and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.

C.  Tithing had/has great spiritual significance.

III.  Tithing symbolizes our                                  to God.

A.  To the Jew, giving a tenth symbolized that God owns the whole.

B.  Jesus always called us to a higher standard of living and giving.

IV.  Tithing strengthens our                                  to God.

A.  It is a systematic way to give that helps control your own finances.

B.  Tithing helps us to stay on track spiritually.

Conclusion:  Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Too many adjust their standard of giving to their standard of living.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  - Matthew 6:33

Let's adjust our standard of living to our standard of giving.

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