Sermon Tone Analysis
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Who says it's more blessed to give than to receive?
Jesus says so!
So the question is really,
How blessed do you want to be?
In Malachi 3:10, God says if his people give him a tenth, he will pull out all the stops to bless them physically.
God actually gives his people permission to test him in their giving.
The Hebrew word for test means "examine."
God says to check him out and see that his word is reliable.
Jesus repeats God's promise of blessing in Luke 6:38.
Jesus says "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap"-that's a big blessing!
Jesus says the "measure" you use to give "will be measured to you," indicating God returns blessings in proportion to the amount you give (the more you give, the more you will receive).
If this is so, why doesn't every Christian tithe?
Some may be afraid God won't really keep his word.
Few actually admit this, but actions indicate attitude.
Others are opposed to the "health and wealth gospel" (giving to get).
Malachi 3:10 and Luke 6:38 were not written to encourage manipulating God through selfishness.
(He knows our hearts!)
Passages on the rewards of giving show that God wants to work through us, but we must trust him to provide.
Some Christians aren't convinced tithing is still part of God's plan.
But it is.
Tithing Is Still God's Plan for Today.
Tithing was common to first-century Christians.
BothJewish Christians and Gentile converts practiced the Old Testament teaching of tithing.
Tithing refers to the practice of giving a tenth of a person's income, including money, crops, and animals.
"Tithing" is referred to over 50 times in the Bible ("Tithe" is found 13 times, "tithes" 13 times, and "tenth" 25 times).
The New Testament refers to tithing in the life of Jesus (Luke 18:12), with the Pharisees (Matt.
23:23), and with Abraham (Heb.
7:2).
The impact of Old Testament teaching for us shouldn't be ignored today.
We're not "under the law," but Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is inspired and useful (2 Tim.
3:16).
The Old Testament gives examples for instruction and encouragement (1 Cor.
10: 6,11).
When used correctly, the Old Testament gives valuable insights tot Christians
Tithing was not limited to the Law of Moses.
Tithing was instituted before the Law of Moses.
Abraham (Heb.
7:2) and Jacob (Gen.
28:22) tithed before Moses.
Many pagan cultures tithed-Egypt, Babylon, Assyria.
People tithed because of its great spiritual significance, not just because a religious law commanded it.
Tithing symbolizes gratitude to God.
Giving a tenth symbolizes that God actually owns the whole.
Tithing demonstrates our faith in God to control our finances.
Giving a tenth back to the source of our blessing signifies gratitude.
In many cases, immediately after the first harvest, the owner gave a tenth to God ("first-fruit" giving).
Examples of first-fruit giving may be found in Exodus 23:16; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Proverbs 3:9.
First-fruit giving showed trust in God to provide the rest of the harvest.
Tithing strengthens our devotion to the Lord.
The discipline of tithing helps eliminate unwise spending habits.
Tithing expands the amount of good we do for the Lord.
Tithing helps us stay on track spiritually.
When we put our treasure where God wants it to be, our heart will follow (Matt.
6:21).
Tithing Assures Great Blessings from God.
God pours out blessings from heaven as we obey him by tithing.
God promises abundant physical provision (Mal.
3:9, 10)
Jesus promises to care for physical needs when we put him first (Matt.
6:31-33).
If everyone tithed, the Lord's work would thrive.
The average contribution in American churches is approximately 2.5 percent.
Tithing could increase every congregation's budget by 400 percent.
Imagine the attitude and excitement of a church where a generous spirit is common; the building would be full in no time!
God encourages us to test him by tithing, and he warns us to be prepared to receive unbelievable blessings.
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