Extra Generosity

He went on record in Mal. 3:10 stating that God wanted the people to know that those who did NOT obey the law of the tithe… we’re a thief.

He said, if you don’t bring the tithe into the store house where the priest of God we’re responsible to teach and minister in the temple… - the people we’re robbing God of what belonged to him.

The practical idea here is…

How can you expect for the ministers to minister and the work of God to flourish when you are not contributing to the cause of God?

Why should the ministers step up and minister for you when you are giving nothing in return.

Now, I’m way to nice to say that, but God was NOT too shy to call the people out.

In fact he said to them… you are UNDER a curse until you return to obedience by returning the tithe to me rather than rob me. Try me… test me in this and see if I will NOT open the windows of HEAVEN over you and bless you.

This is why many Pastors preach that..

YOU ARE CURSED IF YOU DON’T Tithe.

Here is my Pastoral Caution:

In the same way we view the whole of scripture we should view this passage.

Remember who this was written to and what covenant they we’re under

This was written to people under he Old Cov. You are under the New Cov of Grace.

Christ redeemed us from the CURSE of the Law. There for, I believe you are NOT CURSED in a taboo kind of way becuase you do NOT tithe.

So… everyone take a BIG BREATH - this is GOOD NEWS. God not PUNISHING you with curses becuase your not a tither.

Here’s the last myth about money… IN YOUR NOTES

Myth: The CURSE myth.

Here’s my pastoral caution:

Malachi spoke to people under the Old Covenant—and said they ROBED God with the TITHE and put them under a curse when they did NOT OBEY.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.

So no, you’re not cursed—but you’re also not off the hook.

Being under a curse - God actively being against you.

At the same time-you have to ask yourself the question

I’m I blessable? am I a good investment for God?

Grace doesn’t excuse us from generosity; it transforms it.

We don’t give to avoid punishment—we give because our hearts belong to Him.

The funny thing is people will claim others are being religious… when they themselves get excited that the black and white idea here is that the LAW has ended.. I say… well isn’t that pretty religious of you :)

Now… your not off the hook as much as you may think.

Let me ask you a question…

It says in the 10 commandments not to lie, murder, commit adultery, steal, covet etc… even though Christ fulfilled the law… and forgives liers, murders, adulters and thieves… should we continue to sin so that grace should abound? NO! How many of you think we should expect God to transform us from the heart… in a way that we want to OBEY these Moral and relational laws?

Its better to obey from the heart than to follow a hard and fast rule just becuase GOD SAID SO!