Statute, Obedience and Blessings

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Statute, Obedience and Blessings

• Malachi 36-12

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Introduction

• The biblical teachings on tithing, offering and
  giving.
• Ignorance and inadequacies.

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Mal 36-12

• I the LORD do not change. So you, the
  descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever
  since the time of your ancestors 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 mere mortal rob God? Yet you
  rob me.  But you ask, How are we robbing you?
   In tithes and offerings. You are under a
  curseyour whole nationbecause 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. I will prevent pests from
  devouring your crops, and the vines in your
  fields will not drop their fruit before it is
  ripe, says the LORD Almighty. Then all the
  nations will call you blessed, for yours will be
  a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty.

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What are giving, tithing and offering?
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I. Giving

• Giving / donations (??, ????)
• 2Co 97-9 Each one, as he purposes in his heart,
  let him give not of grief, or of necessity, for
  God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able
  to make all grace abound toward you, that in
  everything, always having all self-sufficiency,
  you may abound to every good work (9) As it is
  written, "He scattered he has given to the poor
  his righteousness remains forever."
  ??????,??????,?????? (7) ??????????,????,????,??
  ????????????? (8) ???????????????,?????????,????
  ????

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I. Giving

• Christians have a moral obligation to help those
  in need
• Christians and non-Christians
• Charities Salvation Army, children's home,
  hospitals schools.
• Disasters Tsunami Katrina, tornados
• No amount stipulated, but strongly encouraged

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II. Tithing

• Malachi 38 Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you
  rob me.  But you ask, How are we robbing you?
   In tithes and offerings. ???????????????????????
  ?????????????????????????????????????

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II. Tithing ??

• Tithing ????
• Not tithe and make offering as necessary is
  violating God's decree/statue/law and same as
  robbing God.
• 10th of one's income
• Used for in support of ministries, personnel and
  materials

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II. Tithing ??

• The necessity of tithing
• Our own worship needs
• Personnel needs
• Equipment and uses

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II. Tithing ??

• Things we should know church finances (??)
• Non-Profit
• Management
• Pastor does not control finances
• Managed by committee and the deacon board
• Large expenditure has to be approved by
  congregation
• Transparent
• Open to inspection and review and questions.
  E.g. The semi-annual meeting.
• Accountable
• The finance and accounting is open and available
  to church members
• All the expenses are documented
• Lawful IRS requires good accounting

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III. Offering ??

• Offering (Worship and Faith offering)
• As worship, free offerings, special offerings,
  and vows
• Offering that one makes (generally voluntary)
• In required worship (compulsory and fulfilled by
  Jesus)
• In appreciation (personal worship)
• In vowing (vowing)
• In giving the Lord willingly (faith offering)
• Biblical example Gen 2820-21

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III. Offering ??

• Deu 2321-23 When you shall vow a vow to Jehovah
  your God, you shall not wait to pay it, for
  Jehovah your God will surely require it of you,
  and it would be sin in you. (22) But if you
  shall cease to vow, it shall be no sin in you.
  (23) That which has gone out of your lips you
  shall keep and perform, even a free-will
  offering, according as you have vowed to Jehovah
  your God, which you have promised with your
  mouth. ???????????,????????????????????,????????
  (22) ?????,???? (23) ??????,????????????,?????
  ?????????????

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III. Offering ??

• About faith offering
• It is a commitment, a promise to God.
• It needs to be honored.
• Un-kept commitments are wrong and unpleasing to
  the Lord
• Terms of violation
• All that promised must be delivered and a 20
  penalty.
• Lev 61-7

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IV. Appication

• A practice in obedience and therefore in faith
• Source of Blessing
• Protection and reward in the fruits of our labor
• Blessings does not necessarily mean wealth
• Needs and wishes met
• Comfort in peace
• A Testable Blessing (a challenge by God)

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V. Conclusion

• Nature of the giving's
• Giving loving our neighbor
• Tithing meeting our own needs
• Offering Our Worship, appreciation and devotion
• Spiritual Practice
• Obedience
• Faith
• Promised blessings
• It is an avenue of worship, receiving blessings
  and serve, and advancing the kingdom.