I preach on tithing at least once a year for several reasons.
(1) Because I am a Bible preacher. This is what God has called me to do…PREACH HIS WORD.
But I preach on tithing for another reason because I want
(2) I want the blessings of God on your life not God’s curse.
Many of us if not all of us have heard the saying, "The proof is in the pudding."
This is an expression that is used when we want to prove something.
Illus: For example, one of you ladies could make some chocolate pudding, and when you got through it looked delicious!
But just because it looked delicious does not mean it is delicious.
Let me illustrate…
Illus: I remember when I was young and my parents were working and six of us children we were home alone. My sister who was a teenager decided she was going to cook a cake. And when she got through it looked like a cake you would buy at the bakery.
I was proud of her and did not know she had such cooking skills.
She asked me if I wanted a slice of her cake and I Looked at it and it was a lovely cake covered with white icing and I said, “Sure, cut me a big slice I am hungry!”
She did just that and served it to me and as I took my first bite I recognize she did not know the first things about cooking. (Not the first!!!) What she had done was cooked a bunch of pancakes, stacked them on top of each other about five inches tall and covered them with white lard.
What looked good was not good!!!
That is where we get the expression, THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!
Not only is that true about pudding, but that is true also about other things.
For example, you can ask some folks if they love the Lord, and they will immediately say, “I certainly do.”
WHERE IS THE PROOF!!!
Anyone can say, “I love the Lord!”
The Lord is not impressed with words only. He says IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WILL KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.
In other words the proof we LOVE THE LORD IS IN US OBEYING HIS WORD.
Since this is the PROOF IN THE PUDDING IF WE LOVE THE LORD LET’S LOOK AT ONE OF THE COMMANDMENT IN THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT OBEYING THE LORD.
Did you know the Bible teaches tithing from cover to cover?
• Yes from cover to cover!!!
• It is one of the commandments of God.
Since the proof of something is in the pudding WHAT DOES TITHING PROVE TO THE LORD…
I. THE TITHER PROVES HE BELIEVES GOD'S WORD
Some would have you to believe that tithing is an Old Testament commandment and does not apply to us today.
It is true there are things under the Mosaic Law that does not apply to us today.
For example:
• The ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were fulfilled by Christ’s sacrifice. That is we do not bring a sacrifice to church because Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices.
Another thing we do not obey from the scriptures today is…
(2) The Priesthood.
This change does away with all human priests and recognizes only Jesus as our High Priest (see especially Hebrews 7:12 - 16, 23 - 28, 10:12 - 14).
Also we no longer observe…
(3)Feast days and the Passover because they have been fulfilled.
If we had the time I could continue to show you from the scriptures there are many things in the BIBLE that applies to us and does not apply to us today.
SUCH AS THE PRACTICE OF TITHING APPLIES TO US TODAY.
The teaching of tithing is interwoven throughout scripture in the Old Testament and the New Testament in the lives of Bible characters.
For example:
A. ABRAHAM PRACTICED TITHING
Look at Genesis 14:20, we read, "And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he (Abraham) gave him (Melchizedek) tithes of all."
Illus: During the days of Abraham, he had to come up against his enemies, and when he defeated them, he was left with all their wealth and he made sure that he tithed of all that God had given him.
B. JACOB VOWED THAT HE WOULD TITHE
Look at Genesis 28:22, we read, "And this stone, which have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."
Jacob vowed to tithe of all that God gave him.
C. THE LAW COMMANDED IT
Leviticus 27:30-34, we read, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: (Whose?) it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai."
But tithing is not only taught in the OLD TESTAMENT it is also taught in the NEW TESTAMENT.
D. JESUS HIMSELF ENDORSED TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Look at Matthew 23:23, we read, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE."
Notice these scribes and Pharisees tithe off of everything and the Lord said, these ought ye to have done, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE."
They had many faults that the Lord was displeased with. But notice, when it comes to tithing, they were so careful to tithe off of everything, that the Lord said, "...THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE..."
If this was not to be a continuing practice in the New Testament, He would not have given the endorsement that this is something they should continue to do.
E. PAUL SHOWS THE NEED FOR TITHING in the New Testament.
Look at 1 Cor. 9:13-14, we read, "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
Notice that that the Lord hath ordained that through tithing a preacher is supported.
Let me read it to you again…Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
Through tithing the work of God is supported.
If all Christians were like these who profess to be saved but do not obey God’s commandment to tithe:
• There would be no churches to worship in
• There would be no missionaries to go abroad and spread the gospel
• There would be no Sunday school classes
•There would be no Sunday school literature.
• There would be no VBS materials
•There would be no denominational headquarters
• There would be no full time preachers if everyone was like these who do not believe in tithing, there would be NO CHURCHES!
• There would be no full times pastors.
Paul is saying that if a man is going to spend his life studying and preaching the gospel,
“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
Paul believed in tithing.
Illus: In the Old Testament, God told the farmers that if they were going to plow with an ox, they should not muzzle the ox while plowing with him.
Look at 1 Cor. 9:9 we read, "For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?"
God was displeased with farmers who wanted to work an ox from morning till night, and not allow him to receive part of what he was laboring for.
God made provision that the ox would be cared for, and God also made provision that His preachers are to be taken care of.
The person who practices tithing, which is taught throughout God's Word, is PROVING THAT HE BELIEVES GOD'S WORD.
I remind you the Lord said one of the proofs that we love the Lord is that we are willing to OBEY HIS WORD.
THE TITHER PROVES HE BELIEVES GOD'S WORD
Also a tither…
II. PROVES HE CAN BE TRUSTED.
The practice of tithing proves TITHER KNOWS WHO THE TITHES BELONGS TO
Look at Lev. 27:30, we read "...the tithe...is the Lord's..."
When Christians tithe, they are acknowledging that GOD OWNS EVERYTHING!
Look at:
• Psalm 24:1, we read, “The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
• Psalm 50:10, we read, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
• Psalm 50:11, we read, “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.”
• Haggai 2:8, we read, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.”
• 1 Cor. 6:20, we read, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
God owns everything and we are merely stewards of His possessions.
• That house that you live in God created those trees that it is built by.
• That car that you drive God is made the metal he placed in the ground
God OWNS EVERYTHING!!!!
Illus: Often we hear well-meaning Christians as they pray for the offering, say, "Lord, we give our tithes to you..."
The fact is, that is not correct!
We cannot give something that does not belong to us.
In Leviticus 27: 30, we read, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.”
Notice when we tithe the Bible tells us the TITHES IS HOLY UNTO THE LORD.
Illus: When a person take God’s tithes and spend it on themselves they might as well take money out of the offering plate each Sunday and spend it on themselves…THEY DO NOT KNOW THE TITHESE IS HOLY UNTO THE LORD!!!
Would you do that!
Well if you take the tithes that belong to God and spend it on yourself you are proving you cannot be trusted with God’s tithes.
When we tithe each Sunday, what we are doing is showing God has entrusted us with HIS TITHES, and we are making sure He receives what is His.
We recognize that we are stewards of God’s money.
We see a good example of this kind of trust in the life of Joseph.
Illus: Potiphar had made Joseph master of His house.
In Gen 39:4 we read, "And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand."
When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he reminded her he had been entrusted with his household.
And he also reminded her that he could not submit to what she wanted him to submit to, because she belonged to her husband - not to him.
That is exactly what God has done with us.
The Bible clearly says, "...the tithe...is the Lord's...", and God is trusting us to give Him what belongs to Him.
Illus: That is more than Uncle Sam will do. Because Uncle Sam does not trust us, every now and then we are called in to be audited.
Why?
Because Uncle Sam wants to see our records and receipts because he does not trust us.
THE TITHER PROVES BY HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD, that he recognizes:
• The tithe belongs to The Lord
• We have been entrusted to make sure that God receives that which belongs to Him
THE TITHER PROVES…
I.THAT HE BELIEVES GOD'S WORD.
II.PROVES HE CAN BE TRUSTED.
Also the tither...
III.PROVES HE BELIEVES GOD'S PROMISES
The scripture contains many promises that God has made to His people. But listen, one of the greatest promises that can be made to a mortal man is made concerning tithing.
Look at Malachi 3:10-11, we read, "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."
Notice, THIS IS A PROMISE, but it is a CONDITIONAL PROMISE. God is saying IF YOU DO THIS I WILL DO THIS!!!
When a Christian tithes, he is saying, "GOD, I BELIEVE IN THE PROMISE YOU MADE TO ME, and I ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS YOU REQUIRE!"
Notice, THERE ARE TWO CONDITIONS.
1. BRING YE ALL THE TITHES
In the first part of the condition, look at the word, "ALL."
God’s Word says, "Bring ye ALL the tithes into the storehouse…”
The word “Tithe” is derived from the Hebrew word “Asair” which means to give one-tenth. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
A lot of folks do not realize this, but we do not tithe until we have given at least ten percent of what God has blessed us with.
God is such a gracious and generous God.
Look at the percentages:
• He lets us keep 9/10 of what He gives us
• He only asks for 1/10, that it might be used to care for His work
Illus: A hobo asked a man for $10.00. Ten dollars was all that the man had. He was gracious, and he said, "I will give you nine, but I must keep one for myself." The hobo agreed, but as the man walked down the street the hobo jumped him from behind, hit him over the head and also took the one dollar he kept for himself.
Now wouldn't you consider that hobo to be a real evil person to do such a thing?
Be careful how you answer that because you might be judging yourself.
Well, isn't this what a man does when he robs God of the tenth that belongs to Him?
Some ask, "Why should I give God any money?
I earned it all by myself!"
REALLY?
What if God had not given you:
• THAT JOB
• THE STRENGTH TO WORK THAT JOB
• THE WISDOM TO WORK
• THE AIR YOU BREATHE TO WORK THAT JOB
In fact, if God had not helped you, you would not be around to even collect your pay check!
God’s Word tells us to bring ALL OF HIS TITHES unto the house of the Lord.
Illus: A lot of Christians will say, "I will tithe of my NET INCOME BUT NOT MY GROSS INCOME.”
I do not feel that I should have to tithe what Uncle Sam gets. I do not get any benefits from that!"
REALLY?
What about:
• Those roads that you ride on each day
• The schools where your children and grandchildren are educated
• The military that keeps this nation free
• The police who protect your neighborhood
• The fire department that is available to you twenty-four hours a day
• The road service that maintains highways for you to travel on,
The first condition you must meet to have God fulfill His promise in your life, is to "Bring ye ALL THE TITHES into the storehouse…”
2. He also tells us WHERE TO BRING OUR TITHES!
Illus: You would be surprised at how many folks think they are tithing when they send $50.00 a month to a television preacher, who promises to send them a piece of costume jewelry (worth about $2.50) if they will make that $50.00 "contribution." That is not tithing! That is being dumb!
Illus: All you did was pay fifty dollars for a piece of jewelry that was worth $2.50. If you took that same $50.00 downtown to any Jewelry store, you would get a lot better deal than that.
Many folks have been tricked into believing that they could send tithes off to different places, and receive the blessing promised for tithing. NOT SO!
God says BRING, not SEND!
The blessing is promised to those who would bring God’s tithes"...into the storehouse..."
WHERE IS THE STOREHOUSE?
It is where you receive your spiritual food.
Illus: You would not go to a Winn Dixie store and get your groceries, and walk out and go down the street and pay for them at the Food Lion. WOULD YOU?
No! You pay at the store where you get your groceries.
Some might be saying, “Preacher, when I watch some of these television ministers I get fed spiritually.”
Illus: There are some who do preach the Word of God on television. Dr. Charles Stanley, and men like Dr. Adrian Rogers preach the Word of God faithfully.
And it is commendable that their churches voted to go on national television and spread the Word of God around the world.
But listen, that was their church decision THAT MADE THAT DECISION.
And with that decision come their responsibility to finance what they voted to do. We had no part of making that decision, and we do not have any responsibility to finance what they voted to do.
If they are going to take the tithes people send to them, then they should be the ones to:
o Come and marry the young couples
o Come and conduct the funerals
o Come and visit the sick in the hospitals and nursing homes
o Come and bury the dead
o Provide a place for you and your family to worship
o Provide a full time preacher to be at your disposal whenever you need him, day or night
o Provide electricity so that you can worship in a comfortable atmosphere, summer and winter
o Provide for an organ and a piano so that you will have instruments to sing with during the worship service
o Provide the money to send missionaries around the world to preach the gospel
o Provide the money to buy Sunday school literature.
But the fact is, many of these “Hucksters” will take the tithes that are for the purpose of spreading of the gospel, and –
• Build air-conditioned dog houses
• Wear jewelry on their hands worth more than some people pay for their houses
• Buy yachts to travel on
• Buy thousand dollars tailored suits
• Buy expensive cars
• Buy houses all over the country
• Buy jets to travel in and not give back one dime to the local church.
Illus: People never cease to amaze me. If I got up before the congregation before we took up the offering, and said, “Make your check out to me”, you would run me out of the church.
But that crowd of “Hucksters” can get up and say, “Make your check out to _________________,” and people reach for their check books.
Decency and fairness requires that you do as God’s Word says, BRING GOD’S TITHES TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU RECEIVE YOUR SPIRITUAL FOOD!
He asked the rhetorical question, “WILL A MAN ROB GOD?”
And the answer to that question is…Yes!
Illus: More robberies take place on Sunday morning than any other time of the week.
Listen, man should never rob anyone, but especially not God.
He then shows us how a person can rob God, “In tithes and offerings!”
But a man that loves the Lord will not rob God of His tithes and offerings. He loves the Lord to much to do such a thing!
He brings the tithes that belong to the Lord to the STOREHOUSE OF GOD.
Illus: People who want everyone in the church to provide these things for them, and are not willing to be trustworthy stewards of God’s money, remind me of people in this society that want the tax-payers to do all the sacrificing, while they sit back and do all the reaping. The same principal applies spiritually.
Look at the marvelous promise God has made to the tither.
Illus: When this was written, most of that society was made up of farmers, and depended upon what they raised for their livelihood.
He told them in Mal. 3:10-11, to bring all the tithes to the "storehouse," and they would receive many blessings. We read ...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."
God tells us in His Word that we prove we love Him by KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS.
I have showed you ample proof that tithing is one of the commandments of God.
One of the proofs we love God can be found in TITHING!
I. THE TITHER PROVES HE BELIEVES GOD' WORD
II. THE TITHER PROVES HE TRUST IN THE PROMISES OF GOD
III. THE TITHER PROVES HE BELIEVES GOD'S PROMISES
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!!!
Can you say that you truly LOVE GOD?
I told you that I did not expect to hear many amen in this sermon but I appreciate the ones I got.
But I also told you that I hope this sermon would get some results. I have told you what God’s Word says and NOW YOU MUST CHOOSE TO BE UNDER HIS CURSE OR HIS BLESSINGS.
