November 8-9, 2003     THE PROMI$E!      Malachi 3:7-12, Selected

A TEST WE’D BE FOOLS TO FAIL!

*** Malachi 3:7-12 “Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty."But you ask, 'How are we to return?' "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me." But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'" In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--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 you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.”

 [New International Version]

& THE FIRST STEP TO SPIRITUAL RENEWAL IS TITHING!

& WHAT IS A TITHE? TEN PERCENT!

*** Leviticus 27:30 "One-tenth of all crops belongs to the Lord, including the crops from fields and the fruit from trees. That one-tenth is holy to the Lord.”

[New Century Version]

*** Malachi 3:10 “Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” [Message]

HOW DOES TITHING PASS THE TEST?

1. BY DEMONSTRATING MY LOVING DEDICATION!

*** 2 Cor. 8:7-8 “Since you excel in so many ways…now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.”

[New Living Translation]

*** Philip. 4:18 “…I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” [NIV]

ä WHEN GOD SEES MY GIVING EACH WEEK DOES IT PLEASE HIM?

2. BY DEMANDING MY ACTIVE DISCIPLINE!

*** Malachi 3:10 “Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn….” [NCV]

*** Proverbs 17:16 “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” [NIV]

EVERY HOUSEHOLD NEEDS TWO THINGS:

A. Budget!

*** Pr.21:5 "If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty….” [Contemporary English Version]

*** Pr.27:23-24 "Be sure you know how your sheep are doing, and pay attention to the condition of your cattle, because wealth and honor don't last forever.” [NCV]

B. Discipline!

*** Pr.13:18 "He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored." [NIV]

*** Proverbs 24:27 “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” [NIV]   

! CHALLENGE: 10% [GOD] 10% [SAVING] 80% [LIVING] PLAN!

*** Malachi 3:10 “Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury…. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” [Message]

ä WOULD MY LIFE BENEFIT FROM ACTIVE FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE?

3. BY RELEASING GOD’S BLESSINGS!

“Tithing is how you get under the spout where the blessings come out!”

Barry Cameron

*** Luke 12:31 “Put God's work first, and these things will be yours as well.” [CEV]

ä IS MY GIVING RESTRICTING OR RELEASING GOD’S BLESSINGS?

4. BY RESULTING IN GOD’S PROTECTION!

*** Malachi 3:11 “I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty.” [NIV]

*** Psalm 128:1-4 “The Lord will bless you if you respect him and obey his laws. Your fields will produce, and you will be happy and all will go well. Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children. That is how the Lord will bless everyone who respects him.” [CEV]

*** Proverbs 8:17-21 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Riches and honor are mine to give. So are wealth and lasting success. I give wealth to those who love me, filling their houses with treasures.” [NCV]

ä WOULD I LIKE TO KNOW THAT I’M COVERED BY DIVINE PROTECTION?

5. BY ECHOING GOD’S PRAISE!

*** Malachi 3:12 "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord Almighty.”

[Living Bible]

ä DOES MY STANDARD OF OBEDIENT GIVING AND LIVING

BRING PRAISE TO GOD?

“Now in this way those who are trusted with something valuable must show they are worthy of that trust.”

1 Cor. 4:2 (NCV)