Malachi 3:8-12
Introduction
A Bible salesman came to the door of the house of an elderly woman and asked if he could sell her a Bible.
“My goodness!” she exclaimed. “We have more Bibles than we can use now. We have an Old Testament Bible, a New Testament Bible, a Holy Bible, and we even have the Reversed Version Bible.”
I am afraid that many of us have made the same mistake as this lady. We have reversed the biblical teaching of tithing. We have assumed that tithing is the church’s way to get our money, so we draw up our defenses whenever the word is mentioned. But that is the reverse of what the Bible says. Tithing is for our own good. It is God’s will. It will strengthen our faith, increase our joy, and revolutionize our church. It is not a burden, but instead a tremendous blessing.
Tithing Is God’s Will
Tithing Strengthens Our Faith
A church member was having trouble with the concept of tithing. One day he revealed his doubts to his pastor: “Pastor, I just don’t see how I can give 10 percent of my income to the church when I can’t even keep on top of our bills.”
The pastor replied: “John, if I promise to make up the difference in your bills if you should fall short, do you think you could try tithing for just one month?”
After a moment’s pause, John responded, “Sure, if you promise to make up any shortage, I guess I could try tithing for one month.”
“Now, what do you think of that?” mused the pastor. “You say you’d be willing to put your trust in a mere man like myself, who possesses so little, but you couldn’t trust your Heavenly Father Who owns the whole universe!” The next Sunday, John gave his tithe, and has been doing so faithfully ever since.
Tithing Increases Our Joy
“It is in giving that we receive.” Our hands must be empty in order to receive many blessings from God.
Tithing Makes Our Church an Exciting and Fulfilling Place
There is a by-product of tithing. I tis not the primary reason for tithing, but it comes along with the deal. When people in a church tithe, there is more money, and money can cause some exciting things to happen in a church. Financial resources can be used for missions, outreach programs, worship hymnals, nurture, and benevolence. All of these things cause a church to grow and be filled with excitement. But all of these things cost money.
The next time you wonder how your church could be improved, start by asking, “Am I tithing, praying, and ministering?” Tithing is a start to changing our church for the better.