Title: Stealing God's Things/Mal 3:7-12
Will you steal the things of God / Mal 3:7-12
In the meantime, we have thought about Malachi chapters 1 and 2 and the first part of chapter 3 five times so far. Chapters 1 and 2 point out the sins of the people of Israel.
He pointed out only typical examples of worship and life. But the intensity of that point of view was very strong. In chapter 3, it is said that the angel of the Lord will be sent who is like a refiner and purifier of gold and silver.
Today's text tells us to return to God for the restoration of the people of Israel (V7).
The word "return" here refers to repentance.
Repentance: Metanoia - Turn around and come back
Have you not listened to me until now? Come back now, don't live like that anymore, and turn around now.
Here the people of Israel ask (V7 below) - "How is it going?" "How should I repent?" is the question.
Guys, what do you think the Lord will say?
(Cry, rip your heart out, pray, fast)
The Bible's answer seems to be completely wrong. (V8)
Talking about money.
It is to repent of what you have eaten and to come back. Talking about money issues. There are people who do not receive grace when we only have money problems at the pulpit or at church. (There are people who smile when they hear only money problems.) But about 20-30% of Jesus' words are about money
Today we know that money can be the most influential and terrifying idol to modern people. It may be the best idol among idols. In that sense, the issue of money has a huge impact on our spiritual life.
So now I am completely silent. →Are you good at this?
Even if there are some difficulties and burdens, you have to tell them. Calvin → The problem in today's churches is not because they teach too much about giving, but because they don't teach about giving right away.
Because that is the way to save the saints and to open the door of blessing.
"What must we do to return?" → mention tithing
The Bible says that the problem of giving is the most basic spiritual problem for us. If this problem goes wrong, everything can go wrong.
Martin Luther said:
“We must have three parts of repentance, the first is the heart and the second is the spirit.
The third is the repentance of the wallet.”
Wesley - The repentance of a person whose wallet is not repentant is unbelievable.
American Baptist Pastor →Your wallet must also be baptized.
Today we hope that there will be a new understanding and resolution for this offering.
Why do you say it was stolen?
Everyone, who owns everything in the universe? → It belongs to God. God has given us that thing. God wanted to mark this given as God's. So 1/10 is the difference. → “Do not touch this.” Haggai 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine.
This is to make them realize that the whole thing belongs to God. Therefore, the tithe is said to have been taken and it is called theft.
(There is a lesson about the tree of knowledge at the beginning of Genesis.)
Sharing tithes and offerings (V8b)
Why? --- Tithing is not an offering in a sense, it is a matter of course
Because it is giving back to the owner what belongs to the owner.
So what is the offering? The remaining 90% is to give to God with a supportive heart.
2 Corinthians 9:6 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
You must pay a full tithe. (V10)
Where should I give it to you? (V10)
"In My Home" --The Church is a mission organization
Tithing is not mine Helping neighbors in need
When you pay your taxes, are you qualified to tell me where to spend it? Helping new churches
Where should I use it?
The principle of tithing in the Old Testament was used to train God's servants.
“It was used to feed the tribe of Levi”
In the New Testament era, the tithe is gone? Matthew 23:23
The History of Tithing in the Bible
①Before the Age of Law / Genesis 14:17--Abraham Melchizedek
28: Jacob Beersheba → Haran V15 → 20-22
②According to the law of Moses / Numbers 18:21~26
Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Once in three years--for salvation
Blessings and Curses on Tithing
1. Curse (V9) → "You are cursed"
(V11)→(Lucifers appear, fruits fall before the due date)
If you do not pay tithes to God, you will lose money elsewhere. No matter how much you sow, you will not reap.)
Why? → Because God is not a God who blesses thieves.
Families that do not tithe are not blessed.
2. Blessing
1) V10 Abundance
Do you want to live with a beggar for the rest of your life? → Don't tithe all your life
"Test me" → "Do you not believe me that much?"
It is an expression of God's longing heart.
Tertullian: Tithing is a product of creation.
·Rockefeller → 40 tithing employees. Starting salary 1$50Cent
·Colgate → British man came to the United States when he was 12 years old, sold soap and poorly traded cosmetics.
·Andrew Carnegy → We live for the fun of tithing.
Warner Maker (Department Store King) → God, please make me the one who pays the most tithing.
It is difficult to pay tithing → However, there are many people who do not pay tithing and miss the blessing.
2) I will protect and protect V11.
Psalm 128:2 "You shall eat according to the labor of your hands."
Galatians 6:7 "As you sow, you will also reap"
3) A life of recognition and praise (V12)
A stranger praises you.
When you tithe, you become a family that others envy.
Don't delay tithing. Those who can't earn 100,000 won can never do it when they earn 10 million won.
The excuse of tithing → When you are poor, you are poor.
| | When I was rich, my tithing was a lot.
| +-- Think about 90% of God's blessings
+-- The reason I cannot tithe is → because of covetousness.
When donating: ① Write your name → Pastors should judge and guide their faith.
In addition, the Bible emphasizes time → The concept of tithing in time.
② Prepare in advance (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
③ Give with joy (2 Corinthians 9:7)
④ Exceeding our strength (2 Corinthians 8:3)