wealth and eternity part 3: god's instructions

Money Possessions and Eternity Part Three:

God's Instructions on How to Use Our Money

Bible Readings:Malachi 3:6-18 (Page 677)

Luke 16:1-15 (Page 741)

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Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Money and possessions are a fundamental part of our lives.

We need to know what the Word of God has to tell us about how we are to use them.

There is a strong relationship between the way we use our money and possessions and our relationship with God.

Our attitude toward money and possessions and the way we use them has eternal consequences.

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Jesus’ Teaching

We must choose to store up treasures in heaven by good deeds and generous giving.

If our eyes are good we will look at this life the way God sees it: good deeds and giving are investments into eternity.

If we don't choose to serve God with our money, money will become the master of our lives by default.

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The Bible’s Teaching: Giving is a lifestyle.

People can live their lives in one of two ways:

Trying to get the most out of life for themselves.

Seeking opportunities to give of themselves.

For an inward self‐focussed life giving is an unnatural action.

For a outward generous life, giving is a natural action.

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Lima shanty town of Pamplona5


“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” (Leviticus 27:30, NIV84)

A tithe means one tenth part, 10%. Ten percent belongs to the Lord and is therefore holy.

First tithe supported the priests and the Levites so that they could devote their time to serving the Lord in the Temple.

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Three Tithes


A second tithe was to be eaten at the sacred festivals

“You must not eat in your own towns the tithe of your grain and new wine and oil, or the firstborn of your herds and flocks, or whatever you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts. Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the Lord your God at the place the Lord your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to.” (Deuteronomy 12:17–18, NIV84)

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Three Tithes


A third tithe was collected once every 3 years for social welfare.

“At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 14:28–29, NIV84)

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Three Tithes


Tithing began long before God gave Moses the Law.

Abraham, after he had successfully recovered his possessions from a raiding party, tithed to the High priest Melchizadek.

“And [Melchizedek] blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, Who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:19–20, NIV84)

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The 10%


Jacob fled his father's house and encountered God in the desert. He promised to give the Lord 10% in return for His blessing and protection.

“And this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will give You a tenth.” (Genesis 28:22, NIV84)

Ancient Egyptians, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans and Arabians tithed.

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The 10%


The 10% belonged to God. In the Old Testament people didn't “give” a tithe but repaid it to the Owner of all things.

The OT speaks of “bringing”, “presenting” or even “paying” tithes, not “giving”.

Giving was different, a “freewill offering”.

“All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.” (Exodus 35:29, NIV84)

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The 10%


Freewill offerings were over and above the tithes.

Some were purely spontaneous acts of giving something extra to the Lord because you were so grateful.

Some were were for a specific purpose such as the construction of the tabernacle.

The Israelites got so carried away in the excitement of giving materials and gifts for the Tabernacle that Moses had to stop them because they had more than enough to do all the work.

The freewill offering is an act of worship that defies logic.

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Freewill Offering


When the Israelites’ faith and commitment to God fell away so did their tithing and their freewill offerings.

When revival happened so the tithes were paid and the temple worship was able to be restored.

Through Malachi the Lord challenged the Israelites to pay their tithes to Him. Then they would experience a renewal of faith.

By taking the first step of paying to God what was rightfully His, their faith and joy in the Lord would be renewed.

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Faith and Tithing


All the sacrificial laws were completely fulfilled by Jesus.

Principles of moral behaviour and human relationships remained.

Jesus insisted that His disciples’ behaviour should exceed the demands of the Law.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement. (Matthew 5:21–22, NIV84)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28, NIV84)

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New Testament Tithing


The principle of that 10% of your earnings belong to the Lord predates the Law and so remains relevant.

Jesus assumed that His disciples paid their tithes.

When He spoke about “giving to the poor” He was teaching about what we give beyond that basic obligation to God.

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Jesus challenged His followers to live a self‐giving life style that was far beyond the requirements of the Law.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:24–26, NLT)

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The first Christians tithed and gave with great generosity. (Acts 2:45)

In the early church (100 ‐ 400AD) tithing 10% to the local church was an unquestioned fact of Godly living.

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In the second letter to the Corinthians,Paul's instructions about giving were how to give and collect a special offering.

Paul collected the offering for the Christians in Jerusalem at the time of a great famine.

This was a freewill offering for a specific purpose which had nothing to do with their basic obligation to give to God the 10% that belonged to Him.

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“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–8, NLT)

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