God Judges What We Give By What We Keep!

When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt? How about this?" If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests. It's not supposed to hurt there!"

So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there's something wrong. In that case, I say, "My friend, we're in need of the Great Physician because it's not supposed to hurt there."-Ben Rogers

Okay, you've probably guessed the topic of today's message. It's that word which makes many a good Christian cringe, twinge, and possibly even weep. Tithing! For some, this subject is about as much fun as having a root canal procedure, but it is something that needs to be discussed. After all, tithing was a practice among believers before the Law of Moses, as well as during the time of the Law. Jesus reaffirmed the validity of giving tithes. God's word says that "the purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives" (Deuteronomy 14:23).

In a nutshell, the giving of the tithe is the very foundation on which our stewardship of finances rests. It's when we give the 10th to Him before anything else is bought or paid for that we honor Him as Lord of our finances. By giving God the first fruits of our labor, we are investing in a continuous return for our investment.

Why is the tithe so important?  Let me share some pretty good reasons with you...

• It's our response to God's Covenant and Divine ownership in our lives.
• It is a major part in bringing our lives under Christ's Lordship, which is really not an option.
• If the first fruit is holy, the whole lump will be holy. God will bless the 90%.
• It blesses the heart by making it receptive to God's will.
• It brings forth God's blessing in every area of our lives (He rebukes the devourer).
• We are stealing from God when we withhold it.
• It blesses the church by enabling it to carry out a greater ministry.

If you stop and think about it, it’s amazing how little solid teaching is done on the idea of giving and tithing. When I talk about solid teaching, I mean teaching that includes all the principles of the entire Bible, not just part of it. At fault seems to be a focus on me, myself and I. Otherwise known as "What am I going to get out of it?"

Well, what are you going to get if you tithe? Some would say more than you give. In fact, if you give 10%, the Lord will repay you 20% or more… If you sow sparingly, you reap sparingly, and if you sow generously, you will reap generously. So says I Corinthians 9:6, and it’s even better in the book of Malachi.

There the Bible says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” - Malachi 3:10  How can you argue with that?

And so our entire argument for tithing has been that God will give back more than you give to Him. Certain evangelists and television personalities have made a living promising health and wealth for everyone who sends them a check. Others have flat-out played on these beliefs and swindled people out of their money, promising their diseases, sicknesses and infirmaries will be healed if they will give to the Lord. ie… give the evangelist or the healer a large sum of money.

In this sort of environment, giving becomes a means to an end, and our motives become centered around ourselves instead of around the Lord. Why do we give? Because the Lord promises to bless us, haven’t you read Malachi 3:10? More and more, this type of preaching has resulted in the people of the Body of Christ looking for what Christ can offer them in terms of money, material possessions, personal happiness, advancement, and recognition.

The Bible seems to be very clear about the idea of giving to the Lord. It’s comes from a heart that worships God, not a heart that’s looking for something in return. Why? Because giving is then an act of worship and thanksgiving, not just a business proposition. When you give to God, whether it be in the regular offering or a special offering, or just a gift to help someone who is in need, you can give hoping to see a return, but then it’s just a business proposition.

If you’re not careful, your motives might start and end on “me, myself and I.” Or you can give because God has blessed you, giving out of thanks, recognizing that it came from the Lord in the first place…. NOT requiring a return. When you give as a way of telling God thank you, recognizing how He has blessed you, then it’s worship!

"God judges what we give by what we keep."  -G. Mueller

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Luke 6:8; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 20:35; Matthew 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Proverbs 3:9-10; James 1:17; Titus 3:8; Romans 12:8; 1 Chronicles 29:14

Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, Purify my heart to give without expecting anything in return. Clean my intentions and give me the joy of the Lord.  When I release this tithe, bless whoever receives it abundantly. Bring household salvation in any place that it lands. Let this salvation multiply and bless those who have been touched by the love of God, through my obedience. Thank you for rebuking the devourer for my sake, and for supplying all my needs so I can have the ability to help others. You are a good God and I am thrilled to be a part of your family. Let this seed reap a harvest for you. In your name, for your honor and glory, Amen.”

God loves you!

Jessie