Spiritual Disciplines – To Tithe
January 8, 2012
Introduction
Toddler – Favorite words: “No” “Why” “Mine!”
Ø Phin (my son) has quickly learned the Possessive.
§ My Dad, My mom, My Jason, My doggy…
Story of French Fries
Ø Adult asks for one, but the child doesn’t share.
· When they do share – We get super excited
· We give lots of praise for “doing the right thing”
§ Because ultimately the fries were purchased by the adult
§ given to the child
§ And we simply want to be shown gratitude, and love.
Makes me think of the passage of Scripture from Paul
v Where he tells the Corinthians they are still infants
§ They are still living on milk, when they should be eating meat
¨ They haven’t matured
¨ They still function like toddlers
Coming out of the Christmas Season – a season of giving
v I’m reminded of our “practices” when we Go to a friend’s house
§ We want to bring something…
· We want to give a gift.
§ Perhaps a plant, or food, or drink to share.
Ø Why?
§ In many ways, coming to worship was and is much like that
Ø We gave because it was such a joy, such an honor, such a privilege to be invited. We wanted to come, We wanted to give, we wanted to bring something
“The worship that is empty handed is simply not worship at all. The bringing of an offering to God is pictured in the Scripture as a high and inestimable part of worship.” – Ralph Cushman (pg 61 – The Tithing Principle)
Sermon Series
Today first Sunday of a series on Spiritual Disciplines;
Tithing, Service, Prayer/Meditation, Fasting, Study, Worship
As we start this New Year and new sermon series: I want to talk to you about a topic that is pretty controversial; MONEY.
If I’m honest, I don’t really want to talk on this Subject.
I remember visiting BCCF in the 90’s – there was a giving box in the back.
· There was no offertory, there was no special emphasis
· In many ways there was an expectation that you function like the Christians in Macedonia(pg 70)
· Just do it.
But – often we don’t do it… at least not well – or to the degree God has called us to
Actually statistics say on average in the US
o Christians only give 3%
o 20% of the people give 80% of the money/resources.
But – I believe Tithing is part of our Biblical Christian disciplines/exercises…
Stewardship
God has given us some very clear guidance in this area.
v As God’s people, we need to live our lives in obedience to what God says to us.
§ And there are some very clear principles in scripture about how to order our lives and finances.
¨ We call this area Stewardship.
v One of the first, most basic concepts seen in the Bible concerning stewardship is the concept of the tithe.
v The word “tithe” means “tenth.”
· The Bible teaches that the first tenth of what we earn belongs to God, and that we have no right to withhold it or use it in other ways.
· Leviticus 27:30 (NIV) 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.
· Malachi 3:10 (NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Ø The storehouse that this scripture talks about is the storehouse of the temple.
Commands and Promises
Leviticus 27:30-33 (NIV) “‘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 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”
Here we see God is serious and clear about our obligation to give to him
And to give to him our tithe… our tenth.
v Yet, often we tell ourselves “I can’t afford to tithe.
§ We operate on such a fixed budge that we can’t imagine giving away 10%.
¨ Perhaps this is where the call to giving our “first Fruits” comes into play. (Ex 23)
There are not only commands in scripture, but promises too.
v Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
¨ There will be enough in the storehouse.
¨ God will enable the church to meet its needs if you will tithe.
¨ God says he will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.
Here’s a promise from 2 Corinthians 9:6 (the Message) Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God will bless you in proportion to the generosity of your giving.
THE CHALLENGE
v In Seattle – part of what we did at Mosaic, the coffee house we ran, was give 10% of what we brought in each month…
§ We gave that 10% to an outside organization.
§ We gave, and we were blessed.
· People began coming in simply because we were a giving organization.
· People wanted to be a part of something that gave.
Malachi 3:10 (NIV) “Test me in this...”
¨ There will be enough in the storehouse.
¨ God will enable the church to meet its needs if you will tithe.
¨ God says he will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.
§ Perhaps the only place in Scripture God calls us to test him.
“Try it! Put me to the test!”
Ø I challenge you – Try It!
§ How would you like to be overflowing?
v We as a church are doing it!
§ In spite of a looming Parking Lot Lease
· the BCCF Admin team has decided to participate in our denominational obligations
§ We are giving 10% to the furthering of the kingdom… local and abroad.
v Is it a difficult decision?
§ Of course! Because we often still function as infants & toddlers. Exclaiming “MINE”!
Malachi 3:10-12 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe. Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven
Scripture tells us:
Ø There will be enough in the storehouse.
Ø God will enable the church to meet its needs if you will tithe.
Ø God says he will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.
As you go, May you withhold nothing which is the Lord - but freely and joyfully give. Go and Love!
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