More Than Money

Tithing is about more than money; however, that doesn’t negate us from the responsibility to tithe from our income.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, my name is Martin Marquez. And this is Dive Into Scripture. A weekly devotional teaching life lessons through the eyes of a disabled veteran with the Word of God. This week's devotional will be titled More Than Money. Let us pray before we start. Lord Jesus, I pray that you help my listeners to know that I'm not trying to be mean or convicting. This devotional is as much for me as it is for them. As I stated in my introduction, I will not shy away from topics because they are taboo or controversial. I will give the full truth about what the Bible says in the short time I have here. I pray that my listeners just realize this comes from a place of love and not conviction. If a listener or I am convicted, then they need to think on what that means in their personal lives. Not that I am saying anything wrong here today. I pray, Lord, that this is just a reminder and we can all take in the words of God as truth. I pray that you can use this for your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Today's topic is going to be a sore topic for some people, or will it? The topic on tithing is a necessary but unwanted topic. The problem is that we get attached to our money, as it is hard enough to earn it and get it, that we don't want to part ways with it. The Bible says in Matthew six twenty one, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. And God wants our hearts. There are plenty of verses in God's word that speaks on tithing your money, and I'll quote some, but I want to dig deeper into the topic than that. Numbers eighteen twenty one says, And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the truth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Deuteronomy eight eighteen says, But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy sixteen seventeen says every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, which he hath given thee. Malachi three eight says Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say wherein have we robbed thee and tithes and offerings. Ezra two hundred sixty eight sixty nine says And some of the chiefs of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord, which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place. They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work three score and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests' garments. These and many other verses in the Bible speak on tithing money, but listen to this. Luke twenty one one through four says and he looked up and saw the rich man casting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all, for all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God, but she of her penuri hath cast in all the living that she had. It is clear in Scripture here and elsewhere that God rather you give sincerely than give a lot. It is not about how much you give, but the attitude you give it. God doesn't need our money. For all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all. God would rather have our lives, but of course that does not negate us from our responsibility to tithe from our income. Please don't mistake me. I am not saying don't tithe. I'm trying to go further into what the Christian life is apart from that. Romans twelve one I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is a reasonable service. twenty nine seventeen I know also my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprighteousness. As for me, in the uprighteousness of mine heart, I have willingly offered all these things, and now have I seen the joy thy people, which are present here to offer willingly unto thee. In the twenty nineteen Netflix film Clause, it says a true, selfless act always sparks another. Author Mindy McGuinness in her book In a Handful of Dust says In a world like this you pay it forward 'cause more than likely you didn't deserve it when you got it the first time. If you can't pay it back, pay it forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde. When you learn, teach. When you get give Maya Angelo It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us Jackie Mutchison. God wants our hearts on him. He wants our lives dedicated to him. It's really not that bad a deal, as he promises never to leave us nor forsake us, and he says his thoughts towards us are of peace, not of evil, and of an expected end. What end you may say? A great end with us in heaven with him. Now why should we tithe apart from God commands it? Well, how do you think the church staff pays the rent or mortgage for the building?

unknown 7:51

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 7:52

Pays the electric and water bills, or feeds their families. Tithe helps keep the church running. Yes, I understand the church is the body of believers. But you know that I mean the church building and church services. Second Corinthians two hundred nineteen says for the administration of the service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. The tithes and offerings help pay for church. Why else should you give it? It's not only kind, but God will always give more through you than he gives to you. Luke six thirty eight says Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye meet, withdraw it shall be measured to you again. Now as promised, this is not just about money, so what else are we commanded to give, you may ask? Matthew twenty two thirty nine says, and the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But whoso hath the world's good and seeth his brother hath need, and shutth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Proverbs eighteen nine says, He also that is lawful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Proverbs twenty eight twenty seven says, He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack, but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Haggai one eight says, Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. The Lord God wants our life as much, if not more than our money. After all, he only acquires a tithe, which is ten percent of our gross income. As I read in Romans chapter twelve and verse one, that he wants our lives to be a sacrifice. This doesn't mean we are to die like a sacrifice in the movies or stories from the Old Testament. What he means is that he wants us to live our lives for him. He wants us to honor his name with our testimony, our lives we live. Show your light and help people, work heartedly as in working for the Lord, be a good Christ like example to those around you. Serve those less fortunate, just do it in the spirit of the Lord. Haggai one five says, Now therefore, thus saith the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. We are to do inventory in our lives daily, and make sure that however we are living our lives brings honor to God. Our lives may be the only Bible that some may read. Do those around you know that you are a Christian? Do you share the gospel or your salvation testimony with them? Do you avoid certain conversation or do you participate in worldly activities and speech? Your sins are sure to find you out. Those around you that know you're a Christian will be the first ones to call you out when you mess up and curse or get angry or something dumb. They will be the first ones to notice when you have that drink, smoke, or flirt with someone that is not your spouse. And then what? They can't be won over to the Lord with that sort of testimony. People do watch you. They pay attention and your life can make the world of difference. As much as the world tries to say follow your heart, and love is just an emotion that can be wrong, they are sadly very mistaken. As it says in Jeremiah, our heart is desperately wicked. Also, love is a gift, love gives, love sacrifices. Love is a verb, not an emotion. Love is a choice. Yes, emotions come with love, but love is not an emotion. So in love you are to do service unto God by serving others. Even Jesus Himself, when he left heaven to be born human in flesh and blood, did not come the first time to be served, but to serve others. In conclusion, when you think of tithing, don't only think of money, but also remember to do a service. Participate and volunteer in church ministries and help in community if you can. As Jesus said in Matthew chapter twenty five, When you feed the hungry, you feed me, when you clothe the naked, you clothe me, and so on. Jesus Christ, our God, wants our hearts, He wants our service, He wants our lives to represent His holy love. I challenge you to go out this week and be a blessing to someone. You don't have to even spend money, just help someone. As you are a service to them, you will see how it's a blessing on your own spirit. When you help them or do something mindful to honor God, do it with a thankful and willing heart. God does say if you will do it unwillingly, don't do it at all. Take this week to think on how you can help yourself by helping others. Remember, I am Martin Marquez, and this is diet in Description. The Romans Road can guide you in helping someone choose salvation. Romans three twenty three for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans six twenty three for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans five eight but God commendeth his love toward us, that in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans ten nine and ten that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans ten thirteen, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Amen.