The Trust Test- Part One
By tithing we learn that we can rely on these promises. We learn we can count on God to do what He says He will do—and God says if we tithe—He will provide for our needs—provide like only God can.
We can trust that as we give. God will meet our needs and He is better equipped to do this than we are on every level!
1 Timothy 6:9 (NASB)
9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Numbers 18:21 (NASB)
21 “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.
Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NASB)
22 “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. 23 You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
Deuteronomy 14:26 (NASB)
26 You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NASB)
6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;9as it is written,
“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESSENDURES FOREVER.”
10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.12For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.13Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,14while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.15Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Deuteronomy 14:29 (NASB)
29 The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Malachi 3:8-10 (NASB)
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.
Leviticus 27:30 (NASB)
30 ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.
Romans 12:1 (NASB)
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NASB)
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
John 10:18 (NASB)
18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Psalm 37:25 (NASB)
25 I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
Matthew 6:31-33 (NASB)
31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Discussion:
What is Paul asking the church in Corinth to do? Is this a requirement? Why or Why not?
What is Paul promising to those who participate in his invitation?
When it comes to giving what does God want from church members?
What statement does a church member make to God when they give?
What is the response of a gift to the ministry of the Church?
Application:
How do we give cheerfully and not begrudgingly?
When you give to God through the church you are responding in
a. obedience.
b. trust.
c. thanksgiving.
d. a & c.
e. All of the Above.
Why?
What is the first step in deciding how much to give God?
Why should inspire or motivate you to give? (1 John 4:19)
Do you regularly give? Why or Why not?
Will you start this week?
Prayer:
Pray through the Hymn Take My Life and Let It Be
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use