Continued our Ritual series this weekend. Talked about a 4000 year-old ritual called tithing that traces all the way back to Abraham. Honestly, I used to hate talking about money. Thought people would think it was a money grab so I was almost defensive about it. But the longer I tithe the more I love talking about it.
We need a paradigm shift. So many people perceive the tithe as an obligation. It's an opportunity! Yes, Malachi 3 says you are "under a curse" if you are not giving a tenth. But what a promise! God wants to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you that you cannot contain.
Here are a few principles I shared this weekend:
1) God can do more with 90% than I can do with 100%
2) U cannot out give God
3) 2 be blessed beyond your ability u need to give beyond your ability
4) When u start tithing, your financial problems become God's problem
5) The tithe keeps money from becoming your master
6) Tithing positions u 4 blessing
7) Tithing = Trusting
In my personal experience, tithing makes finances fun. It infuses me with economic optimism because I'm walking in obedience. I live in holy anticipation to see the way God is going to provide!
9 Comments:
Pastor Mark,
I love your post. I have heard a version of the 4th bullet from Pastor Greg (Seacoast) that goes like this, "you can't expect God to help you with your finances until you get him involved in your finances." I wrote a pretty extensive post on the subject a little over a year ago called Tithing in a Financial Storm. It is sort of our tithing testimony.
Great message. A lot of Pastors would not take this on. Bullet 1 is soooo real.
Tom
Good points, Mark.
The antiquity of the tithe does not mean it is actually binding for the new testament Church. The ancient Babylonians, and Egyptians both practiced the tithing tax. As a matter of fact the tithe was a tax that was imposed on the spoils of war, which explains why Abraham only gave from the spoils and not from his own wealth.
- jared
Tithe,
It's not the antiquity that makes it binding. It's the simple fact that it's biblical. It's practiced throughout the Old Testament and affirmed by Jesus in the NT--Matthew 23:23. But I think the fact that it is such an ancient ritual makes it even more meaningful. You're doing something that has been practiced for 4000 years.
I love to tithe!
Mark
Yes Tithing=Blessing that overcomes the financial storms of life. God is Good!
Warren
Pastor Mark,
I have another "Not Wow" moment you can add to your list. After your tithing sermon last Sunday, I committed to tithe 10% of my paycheck. However, I didn't yet know how much my paycheck was, since I recently started a new job, and my first paycheck was slated to arrive today. Yesterday, I received in the mail a check from the dealership where I purchased my car last November with a note saying I'd overpaid my registration fees. Today, as I'm reading my paycheck, I see that the amount of the dealership check is almost exactly 10% of my paycheck. Very funny, God. I'm looking forward to dropping my check in the collection bucket! Thanks for a great inspirational sermon!
Annie
Pastor Mark,
Thanks for this post. Great, succinct take on the hows and whys of tithing.
I wanted to post a link to a video that shows what a bunch of churches are doing to make the other 90% a discipleship issue as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JfGki00T0c
Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for the post on tithing. Too many pastors are too scared to teach on this subject due to others who have abused it. Nevertheless, it is an important discipline that increases our faith in our Provider.
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