Sermon Tone Analysis

It was the summer of 1999 almost 20 years ago when God did a major renovation to my view of finances and stewardship.

Through a series of unfortunate events (at least by my estimation) God to my ideas of giving from my head and placed them firmly in my heart!

- We had prepared to tour with a large ministry team, new to us large van and trailer, new cds and merch.

etc.. all at great expense.

- we arrived at the border crossing in Saskatchewan only to be interrogated and turned back

- the shame around finances and money was broken off of us over the next few months , help from friends, and the word of faith churches.

First Fruits - I give God My First and My Best He takes care of the rest!

First Fruits.

Firstborn child or animal or first parts of any crop which, in Hebrew thought, were considered as holy and belonging to the Lord.

The first fruits, as a foretaste of more to come, were offered to God in thanksgiving for his goodness in providing them.

Cain’s Rejected Offering

The issue of the Lord’s rejection of Cain’s offering and the acceptance of Abel’s has been debated.

The majority view with both Christian and Jewish interpreters is that God rejected Cain’s offering because of Cain’s flawed character and impiety.

However, others have argued that the Lord would only accept offerings through the shedding of blood, and this is why He rejected Cain’s offering.

Those who hold this view see the story of Cain and Abel’s offerings as an example of early Israelite religion where only animal sacrifices were acceptable (Waltke, “Cain,” 363).

A similar interpretation holds that God accepted the offering of Abel, a shepherd, as opposed to that of Cain, a farmer.

This view is based on a theoretical observation of early Israelite animal offerings being superior to Canaanite agricultural offerings made to the Canaanite Baals (Waltke, “Cain,” 363).

Waltke argues against the views that God rejected Cain’s offering because it was bloodless or agricultural (Waltke, “Cain,” 364).

Cain’s voluntary grain offering was classified the same as Abel’s voluntary fat offering.

The gift brought forth would be based on the giver’s social status and work—in this case, a farmer and shepherd.

The key in the text is that Abel’s offering came from the firstborn—and presumably best—of his flock.

Cain’s offering, however, only came from some of his crop, not the synonymous firstfruit.

Additionally, Cain’s anger in Gen 4:5 is an indicator of the condition of his heart, and his response to the Lord in Gen 4:9 serves as his own condemnation of his murdering Abel.

Waltke also appeals to the New Testament’s description of Cain and Abel to distinguish Cain’s wickedness from Abel’s righteousness.

He points to Heb 11:4, which says that by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain.

Additionally, 1 John 3:12 describes Cain’s actions as evil, and Jude 10–11 implies that Cain reasoned like an animal (Waltke, “Cain,” 371).

Gen 3:

The key in the text is that Abel’s offering came from the firstborn—and presumably best—of his flock.

Cain’s offering, however, only came from some of his crop, not the synonymous firstfruit.

Additionally, Cain’s anger in is an indicator of the condition of his heart, and his response to the Lord in serves as his own condemnation of his murdering Abel.

Tithe - If I honour God with my first and my best He takes care of the rest

TITHE Tenth part, especially as offered to God.

Abraham presented a tithe of war booty to the priest-king of Jerusalem, Melchizedek (Gen.

14:18–20).

Jacob pledged to offer God a tithe of all his possessions upon his safe return (Gen.

28:22).

The tithe was subject to a variety of legislation.

Numbers 18:20–32 provides for support of the Levites and the priests through the tithe.

G

:10

Offerings - I honour God with planned seasonal offerings

Offerings - I honour God with planned seasonal offerings

Burnt Offering.

Form of Israelite sacrifice in which a choice animal offered to make atonement for sin was completely consumed by fire (Lv 1).

Terminology

The Old Testament uses two general terms for offerings (NIDOTTE 3:980):

1. “that which is brought near” (קָרְבָּן, qorban), which is most common in priestly materials; and

2. “gift” (מִנְחָה, minchah), which is most common in non-priestly materials

Sacrificial Offerings

Almost all biblical instructions on offerings are incorporated in instructions for sacrifice, which appears to have been the preferred form of offering

Non-Sacrificial Offerings

The Bible provides few regulations for non-sacrificial offerings, possibly due to their cultural commonality and largely unregulated nature.

Non-sacrificial offerings are most often found accompanying a sacrifice.

Here are some of the Offerings people prepared for ...

Burnt offerings - a sacrifice of atonement or thanksgiving in Israel

Grain or Cereal offerings ( with or without animal offerings)

Drink offering - an offering of wine poured on the alter

Elevation, Wave or heave offering- an offering that was lifted up and waved

Evening Offering and Morning Offering -

Guilt or Sin or Trespass offering- Sacrifice made to God for violating God’s order in the world

Jealousy Offering - An offering brought by a man who suspects his wife of having an affair.

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Meat offering or Meal offering- an offering not completely consumed by fire, a portion was eaten

Peace offering- A sacrifice made to God for restoring fellowship with God and fellow worshipers.

Sacrificial Offerings - animals and grains sacrificed according to the Levitical code

Regular Burnt Offerings- the priest sacrificed a bull once a day, and a lamb morning and night

Free Will Offerings - Unexpected but all in!

FREEWILL OFFERING Gift given at the impulse of the giver (Exod.

35:21–29; 36:3–7; Lev.

7:16).

The distinctive mark of the freewill offering was the “stirred hearts” and “willing spirits” of the givers.

The tabernacle was constructed using materials given as freewill offerings (Exod.

35:29).

The people’s desire to give was so great that Moses was compelled to ask that no more gifts be given (Exod.

36:3–7).

Freewill offerings were traditionally given at Pentecost (Deut.

16:10).

See Sacrifice and Offering.

Exodus 35:

Exodus 35:4-

Ex 35:

Ex 36:

Ex 36:

36 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”

2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.

3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary.

They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.”

So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Exodus

Alms - Care for the needs of others in Jesus name

Alms - Care for the needs of others in Jesus name

ALMS Gifts for the poor.

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter.

He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come.

Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Three Blessing Blockers

Acts 10:30-

Poverty mindset (Poverty Spirit)

Fear of not having

or

Fear of loosing what I have

With holding mindset (Spirit)

Josh 6:19

Josh 7:19-

Earthly (Fleshly) Mindset

I can plan it , I can do it on my own strength

Deut 8:10-