Pillars (7)

Giving Monetarily

AS I stated before this pillar contains principles. Giving is a principle that even the unsaved financial savvy understand.

But I want to preach this in a way you more than likely never heard it. So my prayer for you is that you will listen to what God has to say with an open mind.

First understand-God doesn’t need your money.

Matthew 17:27 ESV

27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

This verse is much deeper than how I am using it today, but understand God doesn’t need your money to advance the kingdom of God. Tithing isn’t about your money.

He provided for Israel with manna from Heaven. He fed a prophet by using a bird.

Tithing is about YOU

Malachi 3:8–10 (ESV)

8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

So there are several things we need to understand.

Yes this is OT, but this is a principle not a law. Meaning it transcends into the NT. Jesus fullfil this one like he fulfilled the Levitical law. This is still true today.

Storehouse always means local church body. For the Jews it was the temple. There is a difference between tithes and offerings. Tithes are 10% of your income (first fruits) and offerings are anything above that. Tithes, biblically, go to the local church in which you gather at. Offerings can go anywhere God directs you to put it.

So lets look at a few things here:

Your money is under a curse when you don’t tithe, but what we need to understand is this: all of these saying God uses mean the same thing

1-You’re robbing God

2-You’re cursed

3-You’re finances are being devoured

They all mean the same thing.

Understand this you aren’t robbing God financially. This is the truth you need to hear because some of us who have grown up in church have been brow beaten with this verse and it’s out of context. If you understand that God doesn’t need your money than you can’t take money away from God.

So what are you stealing from God?

His opportunity to Bless You

Malachi 3:10–12 ESV

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

But you have to understand the Principle of Firsts. God must receive the first fruits. It means you must give to him first before doing anything else.

But Pastor I get paid Friday, not Sunday.

That’s ok. Is the first thing purposed in your heart to give God what belongs to God?

We see this all throughout the OT.

Is 28:4, Jeremiah 24:2, Micah 7:1, Exodus 13:2-16, Numbers 3:12-16

And biblically to consume or take the first fruits is to profane or curse it and the rest of that which was supposed to be given.

NT Jesus is considered to be the First fruit-That sacrificed so that the remaining is blessed

1 Corinthians 15:20 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:23 ESV

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Tithing is a test!

Are you passing or failing this test?

tithing means a 10th it’s where we get it from and the number 10 refers to testing.

How many plagues.testing of Pharaoh’s heart? 10

How many commandments are there? 10

How many times did God test Israel in the wilderness? 10

How many times was Daniel tested? 10

How many virgins were tested in Matthew 25? 10

How many days of testing is referenced in Rev. 2:5? 10

Here’s the truth.

It’s a test. You may not go to hell because you don’t tithe, But God cannot protect your finances either if you don’t tithe. Promise doesn’t stand if the action isn’t full-filled.