God’s Master Financial Plan
Malachi 3:8-12 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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 hosts, 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. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Proverbs 3:6-10 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Sometimes we know what the Bible says about an issue. Many times we still choose instead to follow worldly wisdom. For instance, many Christians ignore the biblical principle of tithing. They rely on secular advice that cautions against generous giving. However, no financial scheme can compare to God’s master financial plan. If you & I tithe faithfully, the Father will abundantly provide all we need.
1.God’s plan differs from the worlds.
Secular wisdom says to accumulate as much wealth as possible for selfish uses.
Like a pond that has no outlet. Thus grows stagnant & slimy. Such an approach to money is unhealthy. It diminishes a person’s quality of life. It often causes friction within families.
2.The Lord wants us to be givers.
We shouldn’t view ourselves as reservoirs. Stockpiling money for our selfish desires, but as channels. Willing to share with others. In God’s plan, believers receive in order to share. Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
You & I can use some of our money for personal needs. But we should also give to our church, missions work around the world.
Yes even to them who are hurting financially.
Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Generous people are not only happier but also more peaceful & secure.
Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
3.The principle of giving and receiving:
In Luke 6:38, Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Jesus was saying here. I will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, & running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Choose to view your bank account as a channel rather than a reservoir. Then sit back & watch the Father abundantly supply all your needs.
4.What are the elements of God’s financial plan?
A.The Amount: Giving ten percent of our income to the Lord is a good starting point for biblical stewardship. Malachi 3:10 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 hosts,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.
Think about this Jesus says BRING to His house (The Church)
Then He said PROVE HIM
Then He goes on gives us a promise IF I WILL NOT OPEN
Then we find more than we can handle NO ENOUGH ROOM
WOW!!!!!!
What a deal. Take care of God’s business & His house. He will make sure you are taken care of in return.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Many a preacher preaches this verse wrong. Many a Christian misunderstand this verse. What is happening here. Paul was saying because you took care of my needs. The man of God. Now God in return will take care of your needs.
On the same lines as Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
B.The Portion: Don’t wait until you have paid all your bills before tithing. God must be first my friends. Again see Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God’s people are to give the first & the best of what we have.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Those who tithe see God’s miraculous provision for their needs. (I PROMISE THIS) The Lord has never let me down. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C.The place: The storehouse mentioned in Malachi 3 is the temple. As believers, we should give to the church.
D.The time: Both the Old & New Testaments mention generosity 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week (SUNDAY) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Ten percent is a good place to start and was not intended as the final goal. The early church not only tithed! They sold their possessions & donated the proceeds Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
I’m not telling you to go out & sell everything to give to the church. I will say this if the need came up. We should be willing to do it.
E.The purposes:
To meet the needs in the temple: The priests needed money to maintain the temple, purchase supplies. Yes provide for their families. Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. The Preacher that has to word to feed his family. He will not be able to give his best for the Lord. So take care of the man of God.
Christians today give to their local church for similar reasons.
To demonstrate God’s faithfulness: When you and I trust the Lord in the area of finances. He provides all we need. Our faith increases and we grow closer to Him. The Lord teaches us about His trustworthiness through the practice of tithing.
F.The results:
1.Prosperity: Abundant blessing results from faithful giving Malachi 3:10 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 hosts, 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.
2.Protection: When God is your financial manager. He guards your supply see Malachi 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. As you give, the Father generously provides all you need.
Again see Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
3.Plenty: If money is tight. Don’t try to figure out if you can afford to give to the Lord. Your budget might not work out on paper. But you will experience His provision if you will be obedient. (I WISH I HAD THE TIME TO TELL YOU HOWW MANY TIMES GOD CAME THROUGH)
4.Personal witness: Following God’s financial plan will bring you contentment, joy, & peace. The changes in your life provide a wonderful opportunity for you to testify about the blessings of obeying Scriptural principles Malachi 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
5.The attitude: Believers should give willingly, not resentfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. Don’t fall into the trap of hoarding money. Having more of it does not guarantee happiness or security.
6.The penalty: You cannot violate the Lord’s commands without experiencing the consequences. When the Jews failed to give ten percent back to Him. God put them under a curse Malachi 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. If you & I decide not to tithe. We can miss out on the four-fold blessing associated with giving: (prosperity, plenty, protection, & a strong personal witness.) Not to mention the old saying;
PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER.
Holes in pocket
5.What’s really going on when we hold back on our giving?
A.It’s Rebellion: The Father’s will is for us to return to Him a portion of what He gives us. We know what God says about rebellion in 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
B.It’s Unbelief: The Lord promises to provide for our needs if we give scripturally. A refusal to do so indicates a lack of trust in God’s promise to provide.
Unbelief is sin as per James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
C.It’s Covetousness: When someone fails to be obedient with finances.
Greed is often a motivator.
D.It’s Stealing: God grants His people the strength, intelligence.
Even the ability to earn & invest His money. When the ancient Israelites failed to give biblically. The Lord considered that equivalent to robbing from Him. Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
May I say that stealing & robbing are 2 different things. STEALING is when you take something that is not yours. ROBBING on the other hand is taking a gun & putting it to someone’s face & taking. So if you don’t tithe. You are just the same as putting a gun in your God’s face saying “I WILL NOT GIVE MY THITHE.”
Conclusion: No financial plan is better than the one outlined in Scripture. When we give cheerfully, generously, & consistently.
The Father blesses us. So put Malachi 3:10 to the test. See if God will not pour out a blessing beyond measure.
The Lord loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Hey do it willing. As if you love the Lord.
