Firstfruits of all thine increase: Lesson 2-Tithe Your Time

A. INTRODUCTION

1. What does the Lord expect of us? The tithe.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Host, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10).

a. Who? You.
b. Do What? Bring.
c. How much? All the tithe.
d. Where? Church.
e. Why? For God’s use.
f. Results? Poured out blessing.
g. Motive? To prove God.
h. When. Now.

2. What is our motivation for giving a tithe? Gratitude. "If God will be with me, and will keep me in thy way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on . . . of all that thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" (Gen. 28:20-22).

If we give to get. Bribe.
If we give of necessity. Dues.
If we give partial. Down payment.
But we give according to how much God gives us.

3. Who is receiving our tithe? Jesus Christ. "On earth men that will die receive our tithe, but in Heaven Jesus that lives forever is receiving our tithe" (Heb. 7:8 ELT).

4. What is involved in tithing? Time, Talent and Treasure.

a. Talent: If you work 40 hours, then serve God 4 hours.

b. Time: If you have 168 hours, then give God 16 hours and 30 minutes.

c. Treasure: If you make $400.00, then give God $40.00.


B. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT TIME?

1. "There is a time for every purpose under Heaven" (Ecc. 3:1). God has a plan for every minute, don’t waste time.

2. "A time to die" (Ecc. 3:2). God has a timetable for you.

3. "The days of our life are three score years and ten" (Psa. 90:10). Our average life expectancy.

4. "Teach us to number our days to get the most out of them" (Psa. 90:12 ELT). We will have a better life by using our time wisely.

5. "Save time because evil things will steal it" (Eph. 5:16 ELT). God holds us accountable if we waste time.

6. "Have a good testimony to the unsaved by using your time wisely" (Col. 4:5 ELT). You help others by your wise use of time.


C. TITHE YOUR TIME

1. What did Israel tithe?

a. "Tithes of our ground" (Neh. 10:37). Grow.
b. "Firstfruits of our dough" (Neh. 10:37). Bread.
c. "Tithe of mint, anise" (Matt. 23:23). Garden.
d. "Tithe of all that I possess" (Luke 18:12). Everything.

2. How much of my tithe belongs to God? All. "My time is in Thy hands."

3. How the average American spends his/her week.

Work 40 hours
Grooming 6 hours
Travel/etc. 15 hours
Television 35 hours
Eating 7 hours
Hobby 4 hours
Sleeping 49 hours
Etc. 12 hours
Total: 168 hours in a week.

4. How does God fit in your schedule?

Bible reading-2 hours
Church-7 hours
Prayer-4.5 hours
Christian service-3 hours

5. What will you eliminate to tithe your time to God?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are