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For the next few weeks of our series, God, Money and You, we are going to turn our attention to tithing.

Tithing is the most basic form of biblical giving there is. Tithing is the most consistent way of dealing with our sins towards money; sins like greed, hoarding, self sufficiency and the like.

Tithing is a weekly, or for some of us, a monthly action that keeps drawing our hearts back towards Kingdom of God ministry.

Testimony:

At first I thought tithing was just a ministers way of getting rich. As I began to study the Bible and started learning about how tithing benefited the giver as well as the receiver, I was amazed. I used to give ‘somewhat,’ and therefore all I got was ‘somewhat’ results. Lesson learned! Now I tithe a full 10% of my gross income and all other channels that flow in. I believe tithing was responsible for obtaining my new apartment despite my tarnished credit history. I am starting over from scratch with not a stitch of furniture, but I’ve already been asked by people what I need. I believe that God’s going to help furnish my whole apartment. Tithing is a MUST for me….I am afraid not to tithe now. The blessings just keep coming and trust me, I am not about to stop them!

The standard classical passage on the subject of tithing is found in Malachi.

Malachi 3:1 – who is being prophesied about here? John the Baptist.

So what time period is the Old Testament Prophet Malachi pointing towards? The day of Jesus Christ. The birth of the New Covenant. The birth of the Church.

There are many people who look for tithing loopholes like tax loopholes. They claim tithing is not for today. That’s not what the Prophet Malachi said.

Malachi 3:2-3 – Notice the focus and subject matter = “offerings”

Malachi 3:4 – Does God care about our offerings? Does God care about our tithes?

You be the judge. There’s a story about Jesus watching people give their offerings. (Mark 12:41) “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.”

Jesus watched ‘how’ they put their money in, and ‘how much’ money they put in.

Why? Because giving can be a barometer of where we are at in our relationship with the Lord in terms of our obedience, faith, and trust.

But giving is NOT the only thing that God weighs. He watches over every other part of our life too – Malachi 3:5-6.

God said from generation to generation what He expects of us does not change. He still expects righteousness, justice, holy living, and tithing.

1. Tithing Is A Matter of Obedience & Faith – Malachi 3:7a.

Testimony:

Three years ago I had a real health problem that put me way behind financially. I felt it was too hard to tithe as everything I earned was going towards debt. When I did occasionally tithe it didn’t feel good. The breakthrough came when I heard and for the first time understood that tithing is all about my relationship with God and it mattered less about the amount that I gave and more about the Spirit in which I was giving, and for the first time I thought, “I can do this.” That helped me tremendously to get out of my own way and I started to tithe and stopped focusing on the lack and why I could not tithe. Every time I’d do it I would sing that song, “God loves a joyful giver, so give it all you’ve got, He loves to hear you laughing when you’re in an awkward spot, so when the odds add up against you, it’s time to stop and sing. Praise God, to praise Him is a joyous thing!” At this point for me, the feeling of abundance is more present than ever, and even though I’m still in debt I feel less bound by it.

When I don’t tithe I am are saying to God, “I don’t trust Your promise. I don’t really believe that you are going to take care of me.”

2. Tithing Is A Matter Of RETURNING What Already Belongs To God

Malachi 3:7 – Notice the word ‘return.’ 3 times it’s used in verse 7 for emphasis.

Understand this. When I tithe I am NEVER paying God. I am not doing God a favor by tithing. I am simply RETURNING what already belongs to God.

The bottom line is this. Everything I call ‘mine’ is really HIS! God allows me to make a pay check or a profit, and then He gives me 90% to keep for myself and only ask me to return 10%. That’s quite a deal if you ask me!

Here’s the truth. I would not have anything if it were not for God in my life!!

Acts 17:28 states, “for in Him we live and move and have our being,”

The ability to work, to earn, to be creative and build a successful business or run a successful organization is a God-given ability.

Tithing is a weekly acknowledgment of that fact!

And when I don’t tithe I am in reality ROBBING God – Malachi 3:8

3. Tithing Is A Matter Of Removing A Curse To Bring A Blessing

Have you ever had those times in your life when you actually felt like you were under some kind of a curse? Everything seemed to break down. Every thing seemed to go in reverse. Nothing good seemed to come your way.

Tithing helps break that uneasy feeling. But let me be clear. That is not to say that when I tithe there won’t be any lean times. I can actually count on it. There will most definitely be lean times even when I tithe.

What’s the answer? Paul gave it in Philippians 4:12,“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

The difference for the tither is this. When I am going through seasons of need and lack I can with full confidence say, “Lord, I’m a tither. You promised to rebuke the devourer. Help me out here Lord.”
(Here Pastor Ron told a story about Jim’s pickup truck that stopped running.)

The curse is broken by the tithe, and sometimes the curse can be caused by ignoring the tithe and going our own separate way – Malachi 3:9 & 11.

4. Tithing Is A Matter of Corporate Blessing– Malachi 3:9b

Dorene and I don’t tithe just for our own sake. We also tithe for the sake of our kids. But we don’t just tithe for the sake of our kids. We also tithe for the sake of the blessings it brings upon our church.

What would happen to Lakeview Church if every member aligned their lives with the principle of the tithe and we had 100% obedience?

The answer is found in Malachi 3:10. Listen carefully. The windows of heaven are never opened just over your life alone, but they are also opened over the collective Body of believers known as Lakeview Church!

Nationwide the percentage of tithers who give God the full 10% are dismal. George Barna tells us somewhere around 6-7% of born-again people tithe.

Lakeview Church is around 35%. Comparatively speaking, we are doing pretty well. However, we’re still 65% away from 100% windows of heaven!

What would happen in our PERSONAL lives if we all, together, at one time, aligned ourselves with the Word of God?

Malachi 3:12 tells us what would happen – Malachi 3:12.

The Apostle Paul captures my feelings this morning in Philippians 4:17, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”

Does it pay to obey God in the tithe? Does it pay to follow the biblical directive and live our lives in compliance with Kingdom of God principles?

You be the judge – Malachi 3:13-15.

I know there are people who don’t believe in tithing. That’s between you and God. I’ll never stop loving you if you don’t tithe, and neither will God.

But will the fullness of the blessings flow? Will there be a sense in your life of walking under the umbrella of protection and provision from the Lord?

I love the feeling I get when I tithe. Won’t you join me?