Introduction:    The greatest truth I could share with an unbeliever is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest truth that I could share with a believer is the truth I’ll share with you today; the timeless truth of tithing. The word tithe comes from a word that means “tenth.” The Bible teaches that as believers we are to take a “tenth” of our income and bring it to the Lord’s House. The word “tithe” is first found in the Book of Genesis (28 times in the O. T. & another 2 times in the N. T.). I’d like to show you today from the Word of God why every child of God should tithe to the “storehouse” which is the local Church!

I.          TITHING IS A COMMAND OF SCRIPTURE

            A.        A Command Often Confused.

·       Some will say, “Tithing is under the law.” (Illus: Pre-law - Abram (Gen. 14; Heb. 6:20 ) – Jacob (Gen. 28) – Under law - Jesus (Mat. 23:23 ) – Post law - the early church gave beyond the tithe (Acts) – How can I give less under grace than the early church did under law?)

·       Some are not sure that the Church is the store house. (Illus: O. T. the “storehouse” served a three-fold function. (1) Financially supported the Levites that led the people in spiritual worship (2) took care of the Hebrew widows and orphans (3) assisted the Gentile poor. In like manner the N. T. Church (1) Financially supports its Pastors so they can give themselves fully to the ministry of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (2) Has a benevolent ministry to help those in the body that cannot help themselves (3) Like in the O. T. the Gentile poor represent those lost and outside the covenant of God. Unbelievers today are spiritually poor and it is the ministry of this church to share the gospel with those with no righteousness so they can come into the riches of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!) So I say that the church is God’s “storehouse” (see 1Cor. 16:1-2)

B.        A Command Often Neglected.

Why don’t Christians obey this command? If God said it that settles it! People refuse to obey for one of 3 reasons.

1.     Unbelief – They don’t believe God can take care of them. A lot of folks believe, “I’ve got to take of myself!” (Illus: God is not #1 in your life; since you’re responsible for everything (you must hold on to everything) you do not believe God will do what He says He will do).

2.     Pride – you don’t want to let go of anything because you are the king of your little kingdom.

3.     Greed – needing more and more – (Illus: greedy man and box of money in the attic…should have put it in the basement). At the end of life’s way the house, the car, the clothes, and your other stuff will not be important! Let me tell you where the real riches are; the true treasure that is real and lasting is up there in heaven. When you die you’re going to leave the money behind; the only thing you’ll take out of this world is your soul and it’s gonna go to heaven or hell!

II.         TITHING IS A CONFESSION OF LORDSHIP
“Return unto me” (v.7) = you’ve left me; I’m not ruling your life and an evidence of that is that you are not tithing! Why do we tithe? God has always required a confession of His Lordship!

·       The tree in the garden (Gen. 3) – Adam could eat of all but this tree. That tree is a constant reminder that I own everything here. Your testimony is that you recognize My sovereign right to rule over everything!

·       The Sabbath day – you can work every day but this one. That day when you worship Me will be a reminder that you recognize My sovereign right to rule over every day of your life!

·       The Sabbath year of land rest – work the land 6 years but every 7 years you let the land rest. That Sabbath year is a testimony that you confess that I am the sovereign ruler over your life! And you recognize My ownership!

·       The city of Jericho – as the children of Israel came into the Promised Land the first city they came upon was Jericho . Everything in that city was accursed (don’t touch it) I devoting it to me (first-fruits). You may have other cities, but this first city is a testimony that My right to rule is recognized by my people.

·       Then God says, “I’m going to give you a pay-check – I want you to take10% and bring that to the storehouse as a confession that you recognize My Lordship in your life and that I rule you and that I own it all; that everything you have is simply a trust from Me.

That is why the offering ought to be exciting and thrilling because when we put our tithe in the offering plate today what we were saying is that I recognize that there is one king and His name is Jesus! I recognize He is Lord! I own nothing and He has everything! I recognize that He is the sovereign ruler of me and I give and I worship Him with my tithe!

Application: What happened when they touched that tree? They got cursed. What happened when they disavowed the Sabbath day? They got cursed (70 Sabbath years in captivity 1 year for every Sabbath year - 70 years). What happen when Achan took spoil from Jericho ? He was cursed and if affected everyone else. What about your spiritual life my friend (you do the application) if you take a tenth of your income and you do not bring it into the storehouse when that tenth is to be your confession of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life; when you take that tenth and you do with it whatsoever you will…what’s going to happen to you
 

III.       TITHING IS A CATALYST OF BLESSING
This is what I’m excited to tell you. What is going to happen when you tithe? When you tithe as an expression that Jesus is the Lord of all that you have you trigger a blessing response from God.

            A.        God Is Going To Supply You (v.10)

            B.        God Is Going To Protect You (v.11)

(Illus: I believe what the Word says! I believe that when I give there is not only an open window above me but there is an invisible army around me).

            C.        God Is Going To Use You (v.12)

When somebody says I recognize that Jesus is the absolute Lord of my life; I will give a tangible expression of the fact that He s the Lord of my life; Almighty God will not only open the windows of heaven; not only encamps around them with an army; He put His influence and favor on them and sometimes without talent or ability God uses them to do amazing things for the glory of God!

Conclusion:     Why you shouldn’t give: Out of guilt; to get things; or to get attention. Why should I give? Obedience and gratitude, and because I want to express that Jesus Christ is the absolute Lord of my life. (Illus: filling a wide mouth jar with rocks, sand, then water…rocks first or not at all) If Jesus isn’t first in your life He will be last. This message has been all about putting Jesus first in your life.