Sermon Cloud

Committed to Returning God's Tithes

Core Value - Build strong stewardship values and personal accountability

Malachi 3:6-12

6) "I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

7) Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.

    "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'

8) "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.

9) You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me.

10) 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.

11) I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. 12) "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.

            Would you be more encouraged to attend our church, Bible Church International, if we don't have the collection of tithes and offerings? You see, there are some people who have the tendency to think that the sure way to fill up a church is to avoid the teaching of tithing. However, personally, I would do my best to avoid a church that does not teach me how to be obedient to God and keeps me from experiencing God's blessings.

            This is the reason why I teach tithing without apologies. I really believe that God has taught this truth in the Bible. If you read our text this morning specifically verse 8, you have a mention of this word. In the Bible, the tithe is a tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes.  In Leviticus 27:30 -32, God has commanded the tithe to be surrendered back to Him.

Leviticus 27:30-32

30) " 'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.

31) If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.

32) The entire tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the Lord.

            So back in the Bible times, people gave 10 percent of their harvest or 10 percent of their herds, cattles or animals. For us today, it would be 10 percent of our income.  I know that there are people who are saying that this was only for people who live under the Law of Moses. But what these people fail to see is the fact that even before Moses, God was already teaching the practice of tithing as shown in the life of Abraham and Jacob:

Genesis 14:20 (Abraham)

20) And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Genesis 28:20-22 (Jacob)

20) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear

21) so that I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God

22) and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

            I firmly believe that we are not exempted from this responsibility. And it is for our personal advantage to keep obeying it. This is the reason why it is one of our core values.  In BCI, we practice tithing. Now, what can help us be faithful in this responsibility? Here are some key  truths in our text:

I           THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD'S POSSESSIONS

            One of the most basic concepts every believer must take to heart is stewardship. The Greek word for steward (oikonomos, from which we get our word economy) means "one who manages a household."  In other words, a steward is an appointed manager or caretaker.

            On the same token, we are all stewards because God has entrusted His possessions to us. The Bible is so clear about God being the ultimate owner of everything:

Psalm 24:1

1) The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Haggai 2:8

8) 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty.

            If we acknowledge this, we won't have any problem  with tithing because whenever we give the tithes, we are simply returning God's share. It is our way of expressing our gratitude to Him who gave us the privilege to enjoy what belongs to Him. This is the very reason why giving is part of worship. It is our way of honoring our Great Benefactor.

            It is within this concept that you have to understand the words in our text specially verse 8, where God is accusing His people of being robbers.  Then, according to verse 9, they are under a curse because of this.

            Would you agree with me that only fools will try to rob God? Why? There is no way we can get away with it.  There is no way we can hide from Him.  But, I hope you don't just give out of fear. Again, you must give out of thanksgiving for God's generosity in allowing you to enjoy His rich provisions.  

            No wonder, Paul reminded the believers in Corinth:

2 Corinthians 9:7

7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

            We must not give out of obligation, but out of our love for God. Not reluctantly or  with a heavy heart, but we must give cheerfully or with joyful willingness. Beloved, tithing is a privilege, not a duty.

      Listen to the testimony of the late John P. Rockefeller, Sr.:

Yes, I tithe, and I would like to tell you how it all came about. I had to begin work as a small boy to help support my mother. My first wages amounted to $1.50 per week. The first week after I went to work, I took the $1.50 home to my mother and she held the money in her lap and explained to me that she would be happy if I would give a tenth of it to the Lord. I did, and from that week until this day I have tithed every dollar God has entrusted to me. And I want to say, if I had not tithed the first dollar I made I would not have tithed the first million dollars I made. Tell your readers to train the children to tithe, and they will grow up to be faithful stewards of the Lord.

II         THE SUPPORT OF GOD'S PROGRAM (v. 10a)

            Another significant reason why we have to return God's tithe is because God has apportioned this for His program of bringing the lost world back to Himself. His design is for His people to return a portion of what He has invested on them, so it could be invested on people who do not know Him yet.

            Notice the first part of verse 10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Back in the Old Testament, the storehouse refers to a special room in the temple for keeping tithed grain.  The tithes from the people were stored in the temple as provisions for ministries and ministers of the temple:

Nehemiah 10:38

38) A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.

            Obviously, in the New Testament, the church is the counterpart of the temple.  We bring God's tithes to the church to support her mission.

            I trust that by now, we all understand that the church in order to stay healthy and effective must have sufficient finances. God knows this, and so He has established a structure to do so - through His tithes. Think of BCI for a moment. We have to keep a staff in order to effectively carry out our ministries.  Of course, with these different ministries, we have to anticipate expenses. Take for example the musicals we do every Easter and Christmas time. We have to set aside a budget in order for these events to take place. In the past, we had to rent a hall for $2,000 a night. With our move into this facility, we no longer have to worry about that. But with this facility, we have the challenge of meeting the monthly mortgage and its utilities. Just like in your own households, the church has bills to pay. Who do you expect should carry the burden of paying these bills? The answer is obvious - all of us who benefit from this church.

            You see, God's design is for all, not just some, but all who have received God's blessings must take the responsibility. God in His wisdom designated 10 percent of our income, so that it would be unequal gifts, but equal share because it is based on how the Lord has prospered us. Clearly, Paul's instruction in the New Testament was our giving must be in keeping with our income:

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

1) Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

2) On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

            Therefore, if God has blessed you with a bigger income then your tithe will naturally be bigger compared to the one whose income is lesser. But, as long as both of you gave your tithes; you have equal gifts to God.

            Going back to supporting God's mission, there is a truth that Jesus himself has taught that we should not miss. By giving to God's work, we are making an eternal investment.

Matthew 6:19-21

19) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

            You see, when you give to God's work, it is not a giveaway; it is an investment. This is the very sentiment of the statement of the great missionary Jim Elliot - "He is no fool who gives  what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose."

III        THE SUPPLY OF GOD'S PROVISIONS (vs.10-12)           

            Do you believe that faithfulness in tithing produces God's abundant blessings? God has clearly challenged us to test Him -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.           

            I always believe that our faithfulness to God is dependent on our willingness to believe His promises. Do you believe in your heart that every time you give to God, it is not a subtraction but a multiplication of your blessings? Faith is important. A perfect illustration is the widow in Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:7-16. God sent Elijah to ask for their last meal because God was desirous of sufficiently providing for her and her son during the time of famine in Israel. It was a test from God whether she would prioritize God in her life. Obviously, if she did not believe in God, she would not prioritize Him, and it turn miss out on God's provisions.  

            Are you familiar of  God's name - "Jehovah-Jireh?" This means the Lord will provide. Abraham discovered the reality of this name after He showed to God that He was more important than his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19).  With the same emphasis, Jesus said: Matthew 6:33

33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

            Unfortunately, there are believers who think they're going to have more when they keep God's tithes to themselves. Big mistake! Keep reading verses 11-12. Our abundance (v.11) and blessed refutation (v.12) can only come from God. Returning God's tithes is the sure way to God's blessings.

Proverbs 3:9-10

9) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10) then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.