2018-08-05 Exodus 22 Tithing

Exodus 22:28–31 CSB

“You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people. “You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me. “Be my holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; throw it to the dogs.

A godly life submits to God’s authority.

(CSB)

28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

Your words reveal your heart? Do your words and heart show that you live under God’s authority and control?

(CSB) 28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

RESPECT FOR GOD

28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

Illus: If there is one sin we all struggle with it is bucking authority.

We don’t like being told what to do, or to see decisions made which we don’t approve of.

Frankly we don’t like being out of control.

God’s call to submit to His authority means that we have to deal with the greatest idol in our lives ourselves.

Who really runs your life.

What are your words like when you don’t get your way?

Does your life show that your are under the authority of God, or does it show that you run the show?

(CSB)

6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

The way you speak of rulers (whether you agree with them or not) shows whether you trust God or not.

(CSB) 28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people.

Illus: I know many of y’all would give a hearty amen because you are a supporter of our current president. Can I ask you a difficult question, were you just as passionate about honoring our former president, or were you the first to gripe and slander him.

You can’t have it both ways? If you believe that the bible teaches that we are to give honor where honor is due, that we should respect the authorities over us, that God places authorities over us, you can’t praise the president you agree with and then tear apart the one you oppose.

Either God places ALL authorities over us, or he doesn’t.

Deep down it is a question of whether or not you trust that God is at work in our nation no matter the ruler.

(CSB)

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

A godly life does not hold back from what God requires.

(CSB)

29 “You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

We all are in debt to God.

(CSB)

29 “You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

Illus: The idea go giving our first fruits to God comes from the story of Exodus. Because of our sin, we should face the wrath of God. God described this in Egypt as all first born males must die.

God provided a way for people to escape this judgment. He said that the blood of the lamb over the door posts of their house could be the substitute for the first born children.

This pointed ultimatly to Jesus whose blood would free us from the bondage of sin.

That said, God instituted a system of giving first fruits to Him our to gratitude for his payment.

When it comes to control, how often is money our security blanket? God wants us to see that He alone is the authority, and that even our money belongs to Him.

(CSB)

12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both people and animals. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.

Tithing is an act of worship in response to God’s generosity.

(CSB)

29 “You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

Illus: As a pastor I don’t know what people give. I purposely choose not to see so that I can love everybody the same.

I mean,

That said, if you are not tithing, you are not under the authority of God completely. If you are not obedient to God with you finances, God is not the boss of your life.

Tithing is more than throwing a 20 in the offering plate every week.

Tithing is an act of worship. It is giving God the first 10 percent of your paycheck. Your first fruits.

I know you might think, there is no way I can do that. I am struggling enough as it is. Perhalps you are struggling because you are not tithing.

If you are not giving, make the step to start giving. If you are not giving a full 10%, sit down with your spouse and see if you can get a plan to get you there. Perhaps raising your giving 1% every year.

When you tithe, i promise you, you will see God’s faithfulness as he provides what you need. When God is the boss of your bank account, he will provide.

(CSB)

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

A godly life trusts that God provides.

(CSB)

29 “You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

31 “Be my holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; throw it to the dogs.

Do you trust that God is in control and that he will provide? Will you put actions to your faith?

Illus: Today’s message is all about control.

Who is in control of your life?

Who is in control of your bank account?

Are you willing to trust that God is in charge, whether politically, economically, or personally? God is in charge.

(CSB)

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”

“How do we rob you?” you ask.

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

“By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. 9 You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. 10 Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

1. How do you talk about political leaders you disagree with? Does that honor God?

2. Are you willing to put your faith in action and give God what He deserves.