ROBBING GOD DOESN’T PAY

            One said to a minister who preached a sermon, after which there was to be a collection, "You should preach to our hearts, and then you would get some money."  The minister replied, "Yes, I think that is very likely, for that is where you keep your money." -Spurgeon

Malachi 3:8, Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

            When this topic of tithes and offerings comes up, we must approach it in a way that is honoring and glorifying to our Saviour. You see the Lord wants us to be cheerful givers. He doesn’t want us to be thinking about the new fishing rod or pair of shoes we could have bought with the money we just put into the offering plate. He wants us to, by faith, give unto the Lord. He wants us to be glad to give to the cause of Christ. He wants us to trust Him and give, not out of abundance but what He asks for.

            Child of God, at the minimum, the Lord asks for ten percent of our gross income. Income is anything that increases your financial wealth. Stimulus checks, a bonus at work, a tip for helping someone change a flat tire, are just some of the ways our financial wealth increases. He then may move upon you to give more. If He does, obey Him. Whatever the Lord has asked of you, trust Him with what He has impressed upon your heart to give. You will be blessed and be a blessing to others in your life when you follow His will. If you don’t, you are robbing God and it will not pay!

SMILE WHEN YOU GIVE

  The problem with our giving is that we give the widow's mite, but not with the widow's spirit. –Anonymous

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

          I heard a preacher once tell the congregation of a story of a man giving his tithe check and he was laughing when he did it. Someone asked him, “Why are you laughing?” He said, “Because God loves a cheerful giver and I want Him to know how much joy it gives me in supporting what He loves! 

            Wouldn’t it be great if we all had that type of attitude when we gave unto the Lord?

SAVE A BIT FOR THE LORD!

Money is an amoral instrument, and like science serves good and evil alike.  There's no such thing as dirty money; the stain is only on the hand that holds it as giver or taker. –Sullivan

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

During the Christmas Season it seems people are less likely to give unto the Lord as they normally would. What do they spend their money on? I’m not sure but maybe Christmas gifts, end of the year taxes, or maybe they finish paying of a business expense for another tax right off.

No matter what they spend it on, if they don’t give the Lord His tithe, it doesn’t please Him. We are still to give the tithe and if we don’t give it willingly, He will get it somehow. Maybe a trip to the Dr, the auto mechanic, or a phone call to your local HVAC Company could be a way He might get our attention.

I am reminded of this verse this morning: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

GIVE IT UP!

It is always right, to give right!

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Luke 20:25

Yes, it’s that time again—tax time! The time of the year when we all go through our boxes to find as many receipts as we can so we can swindle out of paying our “fair share”. (We rob the state and feds every year and we have no problem doing it. Our motto is, “They have enough money!” But yet we sit back and complain about the rich folk who do the very same thing—hypocrites! I think they have enough money as well but what the feds and locals don’t know how to do is spend it wisely! Anyway I digress….)

Friend, Jesus said it was right to render unto Caesar the taxes owed. It is right to provide for our safety (Police, Firemen, Military), our well being (Good Roads, Affordable Energy, Clean Water if needed.), and many other things the government provides. But the government is bloated. It is truly filled with many fat politicians that have forgotten what it means to EARN a dollar! But that doesn’t mean we rob cheat and swindle every nickel we can out of them. No we render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s and God is honored!

The last part of that verse says, “and unto God the things which be God’s.” Give your tithe! As I recently heard in a message from a missionary friend, “He’s going to get it anyway!” It may be with some new tires, a washing machine, or a new engine for a car with only 75,000 miles on it but He will get it out of you one way or another. I am reminded today that God loves a cheerful giver. I don’t know about you but I cannot remember the last time I was changing a flat, swapping out a washer, or headed to the ER singing, “Count your blessings name them one by one.” Naw, we too stinking mad to sing a song such as that! But you let everything be going smooth! Bills have been paid and you have money in the bank. Boy, you’ll strike up the tunes and be singing the Hallelujah Chorus!

Child of God, I do believe scripture says, “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver”—So give it up- Cheerfully! Amen!