Trusting God Through Tithing: A Spiritual Journey
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to see you all here at First Baptist Church. Today, we have a few announcements, including the upcoming deacon elections and a special celebration for Dean Williams' 90th birthday. As we gather to worship, we invite the presence of our Lord to fill our hearts and inspire us.
I shared a personal story from my childhood about a robbery that took place in our home, which led to a loss of innocence and a heightened sense of caution. This story serves as a backdrop to our main topic today: the concept of robbing God, as discussed in Malachi 3:8-10. The Scripture challenges us to examine our relationship with God, particularly in the area of tithing. Tithing is not just about financial giving; it's a reflection of our faith and trust in God.
Tithing is a biblical principle that dates back to Genesis, where Abram gave a tenth of everything he owned. In the New Testament, Jesus reinforces this principle, urging us to give not just our tithes but also our offerings. Tithing is an evidence of a growing faith and a demonstration of our trust in God. It reminds us that everything we have belongs to God and that we are merely stewards of His blessings.
There are several benefits to tithing. It serves as evidence of our faith, reminds us of God's ownership, builds trust between us and God, and shifts our focus from ourselves to others. However, tithing can be challenging, especially if we've never done it before. It requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to trust God with our finances.
Today, I encourage you to examine your relationship with God and consider how tithing fits into that relationship. This is not about guilt or fundraising; it's about faith and conviction. As we trust God with our tithes, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings, as promised in Malachi 3:10. Let's commit to being faithful stewards of what God has given us, trusting that He will provide for all our needs.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Loss of Innocence and Trust: The story of my childhood robbery illustrates how a single event can change our perception of safety and trust. Similarly, when we rob God by withholding our tithes, we lose a sense of spiritual innocence and trust. This act affects our relationship with God, making us more cautious and less trusting. [39:36]
2. Biblical Foundation of Tithing: Tithing is deeply rooted in Scripture, from Abram's offering in Genesis to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. It is not merely a financial obligation but a spiritual discipline that reflects our faith and trust in God. By giving our first 10%, we acknowledge God's ownership of everything we have. [50:21]
3. Trust and Stewardship: Tithing builds trust between us and God. Just as my father expected me to return the change when he gave me money, God expects us to be faithful stewards of His blessings. When we are faithful in small things, God entrusts us with greater responsibilities. [57:58]
4. Shifting Focus from Self to Others: Tithing helps us shift our focus from ourselves to others. It prevents us from becoming greedy and self-centered, reminding us that everything belongs to God. By giving back, we fix our eyes on Jesus and align our actions with our faith. [01:00:29]
5. God's Abundant Blessings: When we tithe, we open ourselves to God's abundant blessings. Malachi 3:10 promises that God will pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. This is not just about financial blessings but a transformation in our perception and experience of God's provision. [01:05:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:26] - Announcements
[09:23] - Opening Prayer
[37:49] - Personal Story: Childhood Robbery
[41:44] - Introduction to Malachi 3:8-10
[44:12] - The Importance of Tithing
[46:17] - Relationship with God
[48:29] - Stories of Faithful Tithing
[50:21] - Biblical Foundation of Tithing
[52:19] - Evidence of Faith
[54:10] - Trust and Stewardship
[55:57] - Ownership and Responsibility
[57:58] - Trustworthiness
[01:00:29] - Shifting Focus from Self to Others
[01:05:20] - God's Abundant Blessings
[01:10:26] - Conviction and Grace
[01:12:28] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV): "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
#### Observation Questions
1. What event from the pastor's childhood was used to illustrate the concept of robbing God? ([39:36])
2. According to Malachi 3:8-10, what are the consequences of robbing God by withholding tithes and offerings?
3. How does the pastor describe the act of tithing in relation to our faith and trust in God? ([46:17])
4. What are some of the benefits of tithing mentioned in the sermon? ([52:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the childhood robbery relate to the spiritual consequences of robbing God? ([39:36])
2. In what ways does tithing serve as evidence of our faith and trust in God, according to the sermon? ([46:17])
3. How does the pastor explain the concept of stewardship and God's ownership of everything we have? ([55:57])
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that tithing shifts our focus from ourselves to others? ([01:00:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a loss of trust or innocence. How did that experience shape your relationship with God and others? ([39:36])
2. How can you begin to incorporate the practice of tithing into your financial planning if you haven't already? What steps can you take to start this week? ([46:17])
3. Think about your current financial situation. How can you demonstrate trust in God through your giving, even if it feels challenging? ([57:58])
4. In what ways can you shift your focus from yourself to others in your daily life? How can tithing help you achieve this shift? ([01:00:29])
5. The pastor mentioned that tithing opens us up to God's abundant blessings. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's provision in a surprising way? How did that impact your faith? ([01:05:20])
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to understand the importance of tithing and stewardship? What practical advice can you offer them? ([46:17])
7. What specific actions can you take this week to remind yourself that everything you have belongs to God? How can this mindset change the way you handle your resources? ([55:57])
Devotional
Day 1: The Loss of Innocence and Trust
When we experience a significant loss, such as a robbery, it can alter our perception of safety and trust. This loss of innocence can make us more cautious and less trusting, not just in our physical lives but also in our spiritual lives. When we withhold our tithes from God, we are essentially robbing Him, which affects our relationship with Him. This act of withholding can lead to a spiritual loss of innocence and trust, making us more guarded and less open to His blessings. Reflecting on this can help us understand the importance of maintaining trust and innocence in our relationship with God. [39:36]
Malachi 3:8-9 (ESV): "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt a loss of trust, either in your personal life or spiritual life. How did it affect your relationship with others or with God? What steps can you take today to restore that trust?
Day 2: Biblical Foundation of Tithing
Tithing is a principle deeply rooted in Scripture, starting from Abram's offering in Genesis to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. It is not merely a financial obligation but a spiritual discipline that reflects our faith and trust in God. By giving our first 10%, we acknowledge God's ownership of everything we have. This act of giving is a tangible expression of our faith and a reminder that we are stewards of God's blessings. Understanding the biblical foundation of tithing can help us see it as an integral part of our spiritual journey. [50:21]
Genesis 14:19-20 (ESV): "And he blessed him and said, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!' And Abram gave him a tenth of everything."
Reflection: Reflect on your current practice of tithing. Do you see it as a financial obligation or a spiritual discipline? How can you shift your perspective to view tithing as an act of faith and trust in God?
Day 3: Trust and Stewardship
Tithing builds trust between us and God. Just as a parent expects their child to return the change when given money, God expects us to be faithful stewards of His blessings. When we are faithful in small things, God entrusts us with greater responsibilities. This principle of stewardship is crucial in our spiritual growth, as it teaches us to manage God's resources wisely and faithfully. By being trustworthy stewards, we demonstrate our faithfulness to God and open ourselves to greater blessings and responsibilities. [57:58]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you can be a better steward of God's blessings. What small steps can you take today to demonstrate your faithfulness and trustworthiness to God?
Day 4: Shifting Focus from Self to Others
Tithing helps us shift our focus from ourselves to others. It prevents us from becoming greedy and self-centered, reminding us that everything belongs to God. By giving back, we fix our eyes on Jesus and align our actions with our faith. This shift in focus helps us develop a heart of generosity and compassion, making us more attuned to the needs of others. It also reinforces the idea that we are part of a larger community and that our actions can have a positive impact on those around us. [01:00:29]
Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can shift your focus from yourself to others today. How can you use your resources, time, or talents to bless someone in need?
Day 5: God's Abundant Blessings
When we tithe, we open ourselves to God's abundant blessings. Malachi 3:10 promises that God will pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. This is not just about financial blessings but a transformation in our perception and experience of God's provision. By trusting God with our tithes, we allow Him to work in our lives in ways we may not have imagined. This act of faith opens the door to experiencing God's generosity and provision in new and profound ways. [01:05:20]
Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's abundant blessings in your life. How did it change your perception of His provision? What steps can you take today to trust God more fully with your resources?
Quotes
1. "My purpose is, is talking about our relationship with God. My purpose is, how do I relate to a God who has a high expectation of me? Now, God welcomes us all. God calls us home. God brings us. And to His presence. He doesn't ask us to change, to come to Him. But God inspires us. And He wants us to have a faith. And He wants us to walk with Him. And walking with Him is about a theology that we have, that we live, believe, and act on." [46:17] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Tithing is the understanding that we give back 10% of our relationship with God. And I ask, if you can, I can tell you a number of stories. Some of those go back in time a little bit. But a number of stories of going and making visits to people who are no longer able to come to church. And there wasn't a whole lot in those envelopes that they handed me. But they wanted to make sure I got them because it was their tithe that they gave to the church." [48:29] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Martin Luther, the great theologian, said that there are three conversions that we as Christians experience. The first one is with our heart because we emotionally have to say, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. The second one is with our mind because we come to the realization that it becomes a choice to follow Jesus and to follow after Him. The third one, and he says it's the hardest one, is the conversion of our wallet." [49:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Tithing is about an evidence of, who we are and what we believe. Tithing is the evidence of a faith that is growing. It is something that we take and that we live and that we express. You know, this is coming up this weekend, it'll be first UT football game, and you're going to see a lot of orange this week. A lot of people will be supporting their colors. Tithing is not about visible support, but tithing is an evidence not just of what you believe, but of what you believe. But what you do and how you act, not done in public, but a demonstration unto God of what you believe and what you do." [52:19] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The second good thing that could come out is it reminds us who owns everything, who the owner is, the ownership that we have, because in our stewardship understanding, all belongs to God. And we are simply stewards of what he has given to us. When you walk out those doors right there, we don't own that view, do we? God does. But do we get to glory in it? Do we get to celebrate that wonderful, incredible view?" [55:57] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God wants to trust us. God wants to trust us as his, as his children and to give us more and more responsibility. And scripture tells us that when we are faithful in the little things, he will be faithful to us in the big thing. We give so he can trust us. That is part of the good things. And then the last good thing, that tithing does, tithing takes the focus off ourself and it focuses it on someone else. It's not about me, but about somebody else." [57:58] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "To be a tither and have never been a tither let me tell you it's a shock to the system there's no doubt about it there is a shock to the system and sometimes it takes time to be able to get to a figure or a number sometimes it has to be done over time sometimes we have responsibilities sometimes those responsibilities overwhelm our sense of what we want to do and today I don't want to be legalistic here by any form or shape but what I do want to tell us is that we as children of God as a confessing church as a church that sings and waves our arms and sings praises to God as a church and as a people that is called to give back to God and it is not a call to some people it is a call to all of us not some but to all" [01:02:46] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you cannot be trusted with worldly wealth, how can God trust you with riches? So I ask you to step back today and simply say that there is a connection between our faith and how we spend money. There is a connection between what we love in Jesus and what we love in Jesus. And how we live. And I ask you today, where are you with God? If Scripture talks about one out of every eight verses, talks about how we spend our money, shouldn't it be important enough that we examine that as well?" [01:08:01] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We've gathered for church and now we go. And as we go, let his light shine in our lives so that others may see him. Let him shine in us and glorify not us but our Father who is in heaven. We've gathered for church. Let's go live like Christians." [01:19:07] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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