Why Should We Give?

Introduction:

Please open your Bibles to Malachi 3:6-12

Message:

Leviticus 27:30

Leviticus 27:30 NASB95

30 ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.

Rebellion From God 3:6-7

Malachi 3:6–7 NASB95

6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

God does not change

God is a loving God

God promised to make a great nation out of Israel

Return to Me I will return to you

Robbing From God 3:8-10A

Malachi 3:8–10 NASB95

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Tithes and offerings

Priority of God in Life

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1843 Robbing God

1843 Robbing God

Billy Graham, in his sermon “Partners with God,” says: “One of the greatest sins in America today is the fact that we are robbing God of that which rightfully belongs to Him. When we don’t tithe, we shirk a just debt. Actually we are not giving when we give God one-tenth, for it belongs to Him already (Levt. 27:30). This is a debt we owe. Not until we have given a tenth do we actually begin making an offering to the Lord!”

First Fruits

Cursed

New Testament Gospel of Matthew - Sermon on the Mount - YOU HAVE HEARD - BUT I SAY

Matthew 5:21-22 - Murder - Angry

Matthew 5:27-28 - Adultery - Lust

Matthew 5:43-44 - Love neighbor hate enemy - love your enemies

Matthew 5:21–22 NASB95

21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Matthew 5:27–28 NASB95

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:43–44 NASB95

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Reward From God 3:10B-12

Malachi 3:10–12 NASB95

10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

Blessing from heaven

3:10 - Only place in Scripture where God says to “TEST” Him

Rebuke of the devourer

Interview with Rhonda Williams about her choice to increase her giving.

God is able to make all grace. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 NASB95

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

Blessed for all to see

Testimony to others

Conclusion:

Tithing Shows our priority of God in our life.

Tithing Shows our faith in God.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1845 Tithing Surprises

1845 Tithing Surprises

The Christian who tithes will be surprised:

(1) At the amount of money he has for the Lord’s work,

(2) At the deepening of his spiritual life in paying the tithe,

(3) At the ease in meeting his own obligation with the nine-tenths,

(4) At the ease in going from one-tenth to a larger percentage,

(5) At the preparation this gives to be a faithful and wise steward over the nine-tenths remaining,

(6) At himself for not adopting the plan sooner!