Why should I give?
Normally this would be a pretty tough question. But remember we just learned that it is really not our money, it is God's money. That for starters should get us thinking the right way about giving to God's work. But let me offer some additional thoughts.
Randy Alcorn has written what I believe is one of the best books on this subject. It is called "The Treasure Principle". It is a short, quick read book, similar to "The Prayer of Jabez" book. It is not only similar in appearance; it is also similar in impact.
Randy Alcorn basis this book on a little read parable in Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
The parable is simple but very profound. This guy discovers that there is a large treasure hidden in a field. He then sells everything he has and works like crazy to earn enough money to buy the field. In other words, he is consumed with his anticipation of the joy he will get when he is the owner of the field and the buried treasure.
The treasure in the field is simply an illustration of the incredible heavenly treasure that awaits us. Just like the guy in the parable, our focus should be on what awaits us in heaven and not on the very temporary stuff that we accumulate in this very short life.
Our giving does focus our attention on this glorious eternal treasure that awaits us. Our living must undergo a complete transformation that says what is eternal is important and what is temporal (in this life) is not. There is nothing wrong with the big house, the cool cars and the boats that we all long for in this life. They are just so temporary.
Jesus does tell us to invest...but invest for eternity. Matthew 6:20 "...store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal".
Ok, you say but we are guys. We need something a little more practical as to why we should tithe. Let's try these two thoughts.
Tithing is the starting point for a Christian to get their finances in order.
Here are two verses that we need to put together. Deuteronomy 14:22
-23 says "You shall surely tithe all... ... so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always". And Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
Could it be that God is saying if we need wisdom (including wisdom in how to make financial decisions) the starting point is tithing? I think the answer is yes. I have seen it in my life as well as hundreds of others that have shared the same testimony.
God tells us to test Him on tithing.
Only one place in the Bible are we instructed to test God. Malachi 3:10 says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test me now on this...if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows". (emphasis mine)
Before we put $10 in the offering plate this Sunday and expect God to lead us to that buried treasure we talked about in Matthew 13, we have to understand that God wants our heart and not our money. By consistently tithing, we indicate that God has our heart. Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also".
I believe what God is saying in this verse if we make a plan to tithe (say for a year) and we stick to that plan God will open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessing upon us. It may not be financial blessing and it may not even be in this very short lifetime. But then again it may be. Like it says in Malachi, test God and see for yourself. I did, and by the way, He passed the test. - George Hutchison is an instructor and financial advisor with Crown Financial Ministries
If you have enjoyed this week's Freedom Fighters, reply to this email and I will forward it to George
Great Quote: When our hearts are tenderly responsive --- and it suits His greater plan, then the Lord will lift the thin veil that separates us. And we will be stunned to realize that He has been closer than our own breath all along. Patsy Clairmont
Normally this would be a pretty tough question. But remember we just learned that it is really not our money, it is God's money. That for starters should get us thinking the right way about giving to God's work. But let me offer some additional thoughts.
Randy Alcorn has written what I believe is one of the best books on this subject. It is called "The Treasure Principle". It is a short, quick read book, similar to "The Prayer of Jabez" book. It is not only similar in appearance; it is also similar in impact.
Randy Alcorn basis this book on a little read parable in Matthew 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
The parable is simple but very profound. This guy discovers that there is a large treasure hidden in a field. He then sells everything he has and works like crazy to earn enough money to buy the field. In other words, he is consumed with his anticipation of the joy he will get when he is the owner of the field and the buried treasure.
The treasure in the field is simply an illustration of the incredible heavenly treasure that awaits us. Just like the guy in the parable, our focus should be on what awaits us in heaven and not on the very temporary stuff that we accumulate in this very short life.
Our giving does focus our attention on this glorious eternal treasure that awaits us. Our living must undergo a complete transformation that says what is eternal is important and what is temporal (in this life) is not. There is nothing wrong with the big house, the cool cars and the boats that we all long for in this life. They are just so temporary.
Jesus does tell us to invest...but invest for eternity. Matthew 6:20 "...store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal".
Ok, you say but we are guys. We need something a little more practical as to why we should tithe. Let's try these two thoughts.
Tithing is the starting point for a Christian to get their finances in order.
Here are two verses that we need to put together. Deuteronomy 14:22
-23 says "You shall surely tithe all... ... so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always". And Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
Could it be that God is saying if we need wisdom (including wisdom in how to make financial decisions) the starting point is tithing? I think the answer is yes. I have seen it in my life as well as hundreds of others that have shared the same testimony.
God tells us to test Him on tithing.
Only one place in the Bible are we instructed to test God. Malachi 3:10 says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test me now on this...if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows". (emphasis mine)
Before we put $10 in the offering plate this Sunday and expect God to lead us to that buried treasure we talked about in Matthew 13, we have to understand that God wants our heart and not our money. By consistently tithing, we indicate that God has our heart. Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also".
I believe what God is saying in this verse if we make a plan to tithe (say for a year) and we stick to that plan God will open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessing upon us. It may not be financial blessing and it may not even be in this very short lifetime. But then again it may be. Like it says in Malachi, test God and see for yourself. I did, and by the way, He passed the test. - George Hutchison is an instructor and financial advisor with Crown Financial Ministries
If you have enjoyed this week's Freedom Fighters, reply to this email and I will forward it to George
Great Quote: When our hearts are tenderly responsive --- and it suits His greater plan, then the Lord will lift the thin veil that separates us. And we will be stunned to realize that He has been closer than our own breath all along. Patsy Clairmont
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