The Plan For Generosity
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Who says it's more blessed to give than to receive?
Jesus says so!
35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
So the question is really,
How blessed do you want to be?
How blessed do you want to be?
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!
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.
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
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 Is Still God's Plan for Today.
Tithing was common to first-century Christians.
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).
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.”
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 not limited to the Law of Moses.
Tithing was instituted before the Law of Moses.
2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.”
22 And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.”
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.
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.
16 “Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. “Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields.
5 When the people of Israel heard these requirements, they responded generously by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a large quantity—a tithe of all they produced.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
First-fruit giving showed trust in God to provide the rest of the harvest.
Tithing strengthens our devotion to the Lord.
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).
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Tithing Assures Great Blessings from God.
Tithing Assures Great Blessings from God.
35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
God pours out blessings from heaven as we obey him by tithing.
God promises abundant physical provision (Mal. 3:9, 10)
9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 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!
Jesus promises to care for physical needs when we put him first (Matt. 6:31-33).
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
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.