An Empty Storehouse
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: This is not a prosperity gospel sermon. I will not sit here and tell you that the more you give, the richer you will become. It is essential to the Christian in their spiritual growth to understand the importance that God places on tithing and it may surprise you to know the staggering number of Christians who don’t know why we tithe or even the difference between a tithe and an offering.
We find starting in Genesis, Abraham giving a tenth of everything he owned to Melchizedek. We see Jacob offering a tenth of his possessions to the Lord. In Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy the different tithes and offerings are broken down and even given special assignments.
The paying of the tithes was an important part of the Jewish religious worship. In the days of Hezekiah one of the first results of the reformation of religion was the eagerness with which the people brought in their tithes (, )
In Nehemiah he realized how they had not been faithful in tithing and this bothered him.
Some will argue that the New Testament doesn’t specifically mention tithing, and while it may not specifically call for it, it is very much alluded to. In 1 and 2 Corinthians Paul speaks about giving as well as many other of his letters.
Tithing is so much more than just putting money in a plate when it is passed around, it’s about worship, it’s about honoring God, it’s about obedience to God!
When we look at what the tithes and offerings were used for we find that it was for the Levites, the priests and the poor.
Put that into today’s world and we see that not much has changed. We use the tithes to take care of the pastor, the church building, and to reach the lost in a community that is hurting!
Without your tithes we can’t carry out our mission completely and successfully!
Turn with me today to
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: For ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
The Problem- Sin Vs 7-8
Usually the first step in a believers road to becoming backslidden is not tithing.
While numbers fluctuate a person’s heart condition affects their giving.
The motive behind giving matters as well. Jesus speaks about this in Luke about the woman who gave 2 mites. That’s about 73 cents in today’s value.
The problem wasn’t that they didn’t have the goods or the money to give, the problem was that they didn’t give they way they were commanded to give!
This displeased God. you are cursed.
When one stops giving, then 2 and 3 and so on it doesn’t just affect the giver, it affects the church!
I can’t afford to tithe, I say you can’t afford not to tithe!
The Test- Vs 10
Notice God says “prove me” or “try me”
this is not a suggestion, this is a command to return to God, to be obedient
CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 3
Although testing God with complaining, rebellion, and unbelief is wrong (v. 15; Ex 17:2–7; Ps 95:8–9), testing his faithfulness with our obedience is not
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 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!
3. The Promise- Vs 11-12
The Promise- Vs 11-12
God will take care of you
rebuke the devourer, FOR YOUR SAKES
HE will not destroy the fruits of your ground
God will use your tithes and offerings to further His kingdom
He will cast out all fear and show you his faithfullness
Instead of cursed you will be blessed.
