of Promise “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” No wonder Jacob got rich—He tithed! In the same way today, God’s laws are in place to reward you. God in Mal. 3:9-11a says if His people give Him a tenth, He will pull out all the stops to bless us! He says “test me now in this…if I will not open….and pour out…”
1.Tithing and First Fruits Offerings are the clear method to show God’s ownership of our life. “Tithing” (“the first 10th of all your produce”) as stated in Prov. 3:9 is referred to 50 times. Tithing began 500 yrs before the Law of Moses by people wanting an intimate relationship with God. Is that what you want? Put God first in all your life! Godis ready to multiply your giving as you see it is NOT an Expense, its an Opportunity! Your faithful giving opens up heaven’s account and releases God’s favor.
2.Tithing and First Fruits Offerings demonstrate our faith in God to provide for us and control our finances. Tithing strengthens our devotion to the Lord, and helps us eliminate unwise spending habits. Jesus actually taught His followers to live by a higher standard than the one given in the O.T.! Jesus said in Matt. 5:17 “I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” and for those who say Tithing isn’t in N.T., Jesus says to Pharisees in Luke 11:41-42 “Give charity…for you pay Tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb…these things you should have done without neglecting other types (like first fruits giving). Paul instructs us in I Cor. 16:2 “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside…as he may prosper…”
3.Tithing rebukes the spirit of
situation …you can attack lack and gain the blessing God has designed for you to enjoy!
C.CONFESSION of God’s Word can change your circumstances. Your confession releases God’s hand regarding salvation in Rom. 10:9 and in I Tim. 6:12-13 we are told to “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses, and in presence of God, who gives life to all things…!” Once you understand how powerful your confession of God’s Word is to bring change, you will use it to Attack Lack. In Luke 4:4 Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”. So…trust God, confess His Word and give your way out of lack, looking to God’s Word as final authority on your situation! Speak God’s Word to your circumstances as you…
III.CREATE A CLIMATE TO HOST THE FAVOR OF GOD
A.Seek God and His Promises, because He Watches over His Word to Fulfill It! Jer. 1:12 God says, “I am watching over My Word to perform it! There are thousands of God’s promises in the Bible and stories like Jacob in Gen. 28:15 that inspire us. In Gen. 28 God says “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Jacob took God at His Word and 7 verses later in Gen. 28:22 Jacob tells this God