GIVING
TITHINGMORE!All day and night we’re bombarded by the prophets of MORE – Use me, Buy me, Drive me, Wear me, Eat me, Drink me, Try me! Matthew 6: 24 There’s not room for two monsters in a single human heart. Some of wealthiest people have been the saddest. “I am the most miserable man on earth” J.J. Astor “I have made millions but they have brought me no happiness” John D. Rockefeller “I was happier when doing a mechanics job” Henry Ford Two kinds of richness in life – Richness of Having Richness of Being Most of us seek Richness of Having but what we really want is Richness of Being. What does it take to tame the monster of More? What does it take to transform a heart from greed to generosity ? We need to train our heart What we need God has provided It’s called TITHING What came into your mind as you read the word TITHING? An obligation? An impossibility? A way to raise money? What did God have in mind? Leviticus 27: 30 Tithe is a tenth part. First fruits Proverbs 3: 9 The message of first fruits is not complicated. God deserves the best not the left-overs.
The tithe is not a tip Every time I tithe I declare “I will trust You God, even when trusting is not easy”
A link between Tithing and Spiritual Life Exodus 36: 5-7 As their hearts went, so went their giving. As their giving went so went their hearts Tithing – an Old Testament idea? Matthew 5: 17 Jesus came to fulfil the Law through Grace. Seen in the early church. Grace filled hearts led to open hands. Acts 4: 32-34 By not tithing we’re dishonouring God and causing Him pain. Malachi 3: 8-10 God asks us to test Him on this issue. God promises to pour out blessings on you Will we respond? Our giving must come from a heart touched by God’s grace 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
1 Chronicles 29: 10-18 One day we’ll have to give an account for what God entrusted to us. This will be an occasion for joy or deep regret.
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