A Love That Gives

But set for in our Bibles tonight to the book of more blotchy. Not familiar with the book blotchy. It comes right before Matthew RI I never forget when I was a nice glass when my friends he went to church and different jerks and I did. I said that one of the pastor preach at heaven. He said that he preached out of the book of job and I could not understand like it took me like throbbing 15 seconds to figure it out is like the booking job. What is it like you mean show is like always I was caught I think it's because I know you're talking about.

So Malachi with them a lot. She so willing to chapter 3 verse seven down the verse number 12 great great passage you says, even from the days of your fathers starting actually verse number six. This is the one verse we preached on last time Braden did a great job last Wednesday pushing and filling in always preaching to the guys over there sharing the love of hanging out with those guys so Malachi chapter 3 verse six is for I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, even from the days of your fathers.

Are you gone back you're going back for mine ordinances not kept them returning to me and I will return to you say Florida hosts but you said where and shall we return you said where and shall return in verse number eight a man rob God. Yet you have robbed me, but you say, wherein have we robbed the ties and offerings, you're cursed with a cursory of rob even this whole nation really all the tithes into the storehouse, there may be meeting my Nelson prove me now herewith, say, the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it I will rebuke the devour for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground near the shall the vine your neither shall your vine cancer free. Before the time and feel safe Lord of hosts all the nations shall call you blessed.

We shall be of the lights and land safe Lord of hosts.

We do thank you for your tonight we ask that your blessing would be richly upon the services.

Hundreds of people that are throughout this building being taught the word of God is a joy to know and and I pray that your word would be effective in and penetrating into our hearts. Help us to get our focus upon you in this time and the busyness of the day in the week. Lord help us to just gather our thoughts around the truth of God and may you fill our hearts and our minds to not only know the truth but to obey it. We ask in Jesus name. And God's people said amen you may be seated.

This evening we would come again to the book of Malachi's were moving toward the end portion of this book and in this book was written around 430 BC by the prophet Malachi.

He's the last of the Old Testament prophets after Malachi.

There's about a 400 year silent. Until the book of Matthew was written in and then you have the silence broken with a voice in the wilderness.

John the Baptist comes on the scene and begins to preach Malachi was written about 100 years after the nation had returned from the Babylonian captivity about 80 years after the temple had been rebuilt and this is about 10 years after Nehemiah had rebuilt the walls of the city just to kind to give you again, a reminder of the timeframe of the purpose that Malachi wrote this book was again to call the nation to national repentance and to turn to God the nation at this time was religious, but they had no relationship with God. They were going through the external motions, but there was no internal reality to their faith was just a a what Jesus said in Matthew 1580 said this people draws nigh unto me with their mouth honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me and that's that's really what was going on when you find a Malachi's is God calling out to a nation and love he sees loving them is calling them to himself and in they were hardhearted. Even God saying I have loved you, and Malachi chapter 1 verse two and they respond and say where it has thou loved us and so they were those who question the love of God.

They questioned why God would even accuse them of sin they they were the ones being questioned by God but then they would turn around and make God the one who needed to bring in answer to them.

God would question them and they turn the examination around and try to question God. That's how arrogant and blinded. They were chapter 1 God rebukes them for complaining about worshiping they they were saying what a weariness it is to come and worship God to bring these offerings to God and in and in the Lord rebuke them for this, because serving the Lord will always be a burden to a loveless believer and in a loveless believer is that loveless the state is there evidence is there there a lost believer. They're not actually a true believer there there there are false serving the Lord is a blessing. It's an honor. It's a privilege in Psalm 116 is a wonderful Psalm be good to read through this week but Psalm 116 verse 12 says after he begins to go on and on about all the things that God has done for him.

Let's read this verse together. He says what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me and and think about that in your life, what could we return to the Lord for all the benefits he's brought to us about all these poured out and murder in the way of mercy and grace and salvation as well as health and family and church and all these things. So what you find is it is love is giving love is a giver.

If you were to find love with one word. I would say giving love is is a giving entity. It is possible to give without love, but it is impossible to love without giving. You cannot love without giving. That's why the Bible says in John 316 for God so loved the world that what's the next word you gave. And so it is a giving thing so so God's love produced God giving in Ephesians 525 husbands, love your life. Wives, as Christ also loved the church and says, and he gave himself for it. And so this is true in our worship and love for God. True love for God will produce a part in life that joyfully gives to God giving is the response of a heart that loves and seeks worship of God on the other hand, struggling to give being frustrated to hear about giving or feeling. It's a burden that reveals a heart that doesn't value God because if it frustrates me. It's like doing something for someone that you are frustrated you have to do something for them. It shows there's a lack of love there.

And so if God is number one in our lives are giving should be joyful since giving is attached to love. It's not any wonder that God is such a giver. Second Corinthians 8, Paul talks about not about giving to God, the church and churches of Macedonia not familiar with synchrony and stated such a powerful chapter synchrony chapter 89 of breached on through those first versus such a such a convicting section because these churches were so giving in and in and is he talking about this in the midst of talking to them about the importance of giving and how wonderful they are in that he says in second Corinthians 89 for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might be rich so Jesus Christ laid aside his riches to make us rich. He chose poverty for us. He gave his life to give us life, I would ask the question, what does your giving say about your love to the Lord.

If you were to define your love for God by what you give to God what would your love, say for the people of Malachi's day, giving was a burden and it was not done often chapter 1, they were bringing not their best animals to God and sacrifice, but they were bringing animals that were deformed that had ailments because the offering reflected the value of one. They offered it to God. God rebukes them, he says, you wouldn't give that to your governor would bring out the leftovers to him.

Why would you do that to the Lord so so here in chapter 3 the ties and offerings are being withheld from God and we see God confronting them about that in verse seven through 12 so so let's look first of all God's gracious call for them to return.

He says in verse number 7 You Find Your Pl.

There is says, even from the days of your fathers you're gone away from mine ordinances whatever struggle with being patient with somebody and and and you know what what causes the frustration to grow what when you're when you're getting impatient with somebody.

What would make it increase its it's when they continue to reduce good that the same thing again and I was patient with you before my patience is running out because you keep making the same mistakes you're not, you know, honey, you know you little child of mine you know you need to do this, watch this dish washer there's of the red sauce still on the plate. You say you need to wash this they could wash it still saying you like this. My patience is running out wash the dishes like you begin to build up frustration in, and that's what happens and what you find here is is God dealing with the nation that he says even from your fathers you're gonna wait for mine ordinances. This isn't something that is only being dealt with in 430 BC. This is something being dealt with in 1430 BC. I mean, they have been using God's been gracious for thousand years to the nation of Israel and if God did not say what he said in verse six that would be no Israel he says, for I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore you are not consumed. The only reason you're not destroyed is because though you change in your and in your faithfulness to unfaithfulness and and and all these things I don't change and therefore you're not consumed.

It is God's immutability that the reason that Israel remained the same thing for us like what Cambridge Bible commentary said I am not changed from good that your not changed from evil. I am unchangeable and holiness in your unchangeable and perversity and that's really what God is dealing with here in the nation.

So he says in verse six I don't change in my goodness. And you don't change in your sin, and Ezra mourned the fact of the nation's sinful this in in in lack of repentance. He says in Ezra 97 since the days of our fathers, have we been in a great trespass and to this day, and for our iniquities have. We are kings and our priest been delivered into the hand of the kings of the land to the sword to captivity and to spoil in the confusion of faces. It is this that in the midst of this often sinfulness God says to them in verse seven notice he says after he says even from the days of your fathers and it's been this way from the beginning. You would think God's it would say the next day when my patience is running out like I am talking with you you is that what we would've thought you would've said, but he does and he says in verse seven.

The second part of the verse return on to me and I will return to you say the Lord so here is God in his immutability is unchanging mercy continuing to reach out to a nation calling them to return to him. Think about where you would be today if God did not continue to reach his hand out.

What if God stopped being merciful to us in your one bring your two of our salvation. Bring your 10 or near 50.

How much have you and I tested God's patience. In what ways would you say tonight that God has been merciful to you what what would you declare of God's mercy and I think we should be patient with others because God's been patient with who.

So we should disseminate that patients of this word return is an Old Testament word that could be defined as repentance. It's shop is the word SH UB.

It is a common verb is used 1105 times in the Old Testament eight times here in the book of Malachi it means to turn or return to go back to do again to changed withdrawal to bring back Hosea 14 verse one and 260. Israel return unto the Lord thy God, for thou has fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words and turn to the Lord. This is a call of repentance take away all the iniquity, and receive us graciously so will render the calves. That's an interesting statement there just means we will render the calves of our lives, literally the sacrifice of our lips to God will give God the sacrifice of praise from our lips and so for those who turn in repentance to the Lord God says in verse four of chapter 14 of the book of Hosea. He said I will heal their backsliding. I will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him and so the word there shop it it is a word for repentance in it and it has eight twofold idea there. It's a turning from sins of your life and then positively turning to God in holiness and righteousness, so repentance has a twofold work tonight at share just kind of the ideas of Jesus over herein. Sin is over here. Repentance is in one perspective in a negative sense turning away from. I sent in a positive sense. It is turning to the Lord.

That's why people who say you can be saved without repentance. How do you turn to Christ without turning from your sent, because if you didn't have it so you said you turned to Christ and you don't have to repent and turn from your sin.

If you're still in your sin, you didn't turn to who inserted Christ so so it's not a work of repentance that saves you. It's a change of a heart that will show up in a changed life, and if the change life kidnapping you would assume the change heart did not happen and so let me ask you what did you give up in order to follow the Lord. People say you know of a dodgy doctor, but how you know to get to heaven you give her your revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ Mr. before God reason why so that you never would you say and oftentimes just asked the question. When did you and your life would what have you given up in order to fully surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. When did you see the change. What what did you give up what did you turn from five not really turn from anything I don't really know what you're talking about what you don't know what salvation his like there's gotta be a turning from something to someone and it's from sins of Christ. I would ask the question, how have you personally tonight turn to the Lord and followed him. What in your life. Could you point to and say I gave that up right began to do this because I've given my life to Christ and as a result of turning to God, he says, and I will return to you remorse rightly says we must come to God if we would have God come back to us, for it is we who have changed. Did not God.

He is the same and notice how the people respond in verse seven it just they won't stop. He says in verse seven, but he said wherein shall we return.

They could not see the sin of their hardness and in obstinate heart of self-righteousness because pride is blinding. Albert Barnes says strange ignorance of the blinded soul unconscious that God has ought against it.

It is the pharisaic spirit in the Gospels, the men and in Malachi's day, the people of Malachi's they could not see their sin in the same way that the Pharisees can see their sin. We Jesus is you blind guides him in Matthew 23 lights them up because of their blindness and that's what is what sin does.

I would say this sin by definition is deceptive because you wouldn't do it if you knew what it would do to you if you believe that it was the most damaging thing you wouldn't commit it but the people commit sin, because if they're deceived by Sue by definition it is deceitful. It is blinding so we see here that God is in his grace reaching out. Secondly, we see the danger of robbing God and that's what he transition is into in verse number eight, they said, wherein have we shall we return what we need to change from what we need to stop doing and what we need to start doing and God makes the statement gives a question.

Verse eight he says Will a man rob God. There are some people it wouldn't be wise to break in the house and drop & Roseann there are some people you like that just would not be the safe bet, so I saw this video the other day. Forgive me if this comes across wrong but I just loved it.

These guys pull this get this disguise 80 years old. Working a convenience store. It's his convenience store before cameras because people kept trying to burglarize the cameras up these three guys pull their mast up and stuff coming with an AR and in this guys watching them walk up to. He gets his 12 like a sawed-off shotgun man. This is like 80-year-old guy said, this is given to guys like you and the guy.

I mean he went from like giving her stuff to like me screaming and running. He's right outside it looked like a little cat running off on me. Not that I should get but he's screaming like I'll get you his arm wasn't blown off, but he had some pellets rated doing and screaming like little child, scared that his buddies are leaving the draw to jump in the car and I just thought you know there's you're not a bad guy again.

Some people you don't want to rob all people you went on a rob wouldn't be God like you would rob God will got God's will. A man rob God, he says, yet you rob me you have robbed me to their rebellious, responsive, how shall return God gives them the greater glaring send it you have you ascended needs to be dealt with in its robbery. He says, but you say, wherein have we robbed again. There were there were just continuing to question God's assessment of them committing sin is a great evil, but how great the sin of blindness. You know, it's one thing to sin but it's another thing to justify your sin. It's one thing to to trespass against the Lord. But it's another thing to to obstinately declare your right to do that and you don't know, you think something's wrong with God for getting on you about that is the mess that the world is in in Malachi's day, and it's where were at today. Listen, I'll preach a sermon sometimes and there were people there have been people through the years. You think I need to repent and ask them for forgiveness because I preach on some certain sin. How dare you talk about adultery. You know we love each other and I'm thinking are you kidding me so you want me you think I was even talking to you. I know you're living your now you need to talk so but people today, instead of repenting, thinks the preacher needs to repent.

They think the Bible needs the change I can say I'm not going to now if I say something that's of my own accord.

You know them. Hey, I'm sorry. And then if it was not in line with the Scriptures. I'll be all be first to say I'm sorry but I will not apologize for the Bible and the word of God and the truth of God's word, and so that that's where we must stay in and that's what they were doing where their questioning God now and this is the Genesis 3 deception, but what is, what does God say they are robbing him in here in verse eight, and he says the robbing him into things and ties and offerings now I know you're like mimicking the Wednesday night service is going talk about money miserable party Wednesday and on money well talked about money for long time and let me just give you some thoughts here from from the word of God, nor ties. There is a Hebrew word that means a tent or part of the 10th door type comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word. It just means 1/10 the Old Testament they gave a tithe of the grain of the fruit of their land.

The 10th of of their money to the Lord and they would bring it and give it to the tribe of Levi the Levi Levites were the that the priestly tribe of Leviticus 2730 says in all the tithes of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree is the Lords.

It is holy unto the Lord. Verse 32 and concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, even of what sewer passes under the rod. The tent shall be holy unto the Lord. So the tribe of Levi, received its hive for their spiritual service that they did to the nation to remember the tribe of Levi was given no possessions like land, property they they serve God full-time, and so way to provide for them was the type provided for those Levites numbers 1821 God says, and behold, I have given the children of Levi all the 10th in Israel for an inheritance for their service which they serve. Even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and so all the service that they did in all the spiritual work they did. That's how God cared for them through the tithes of the people. Now the tribe of Levi also gave 1/10 of what they received to the priests numbers 1828 says, thus you shall also offer a heave offering on the Lord of all your tithes which you have received of the children of Israel, and you shall give thereof of the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the priest. So even they were to give. And so what were offerings.

The offerings were those of the firstfruits. Sometimes it was this 1/60 part of the corn of wine and oil include animal sacrifices burn sacrifice things like that so so God comes them and says your your robbing me in these areas of giving and in in in in verse number nine. He declares a judgment on them.

He says you are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me even this whole nation.

They thought that they could have more by giving God less, but instead they incurred the judgment of God noticed the widespread nature.

He said this whole nation has done this.

The whole nation is guilty of this.

According to Josephus, he was the chief, is stored in the days of Christ.

He said he said that the people had robbed God of the tithes and offerings before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. it was going on for hundred years after this, they were still robbing God they did not learn their lesson not people as are Christians commanded to give the tithe under the Old Testament law. While I would ask the question were ties only given under the Old Testament law, the tires was was a what was a principle of giving even before the law. Abraham gave a tithe for hundred years before the law was established. According to Genesis 1416 through 20 gave a tithe of all he had. It says Hebrews 7 says this in verse one and two this Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the start of the Kings blessed him to Abraham gave 1/10 part of all negative there is a gave 1/10 part of all of it doing Proverbs 39 in the book of Proverbs is very familiar. Proverbs 3, five, six pleasure have you familiar with this verse that's that's the passage.

Many of us have quoted trust in the Lord with how much Aldine hardly not your own understanding all your ways acknowledge him direct your path is where he talks about just a couple verses later in verse nine honor the loser substance interest in trusting God with your heart means trusting God with your money right there there connected in the area of trust.

So Jacob also which is Abraham's son, grandson David set five before the Lord before the law was given. Genesis 28, 22 says in this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's house and of all that thou shall give me. I shall surely give it 10th unto the so Abraham gave a tent. Jacob gave the 10th, God commanded the tithe from those under the law. According to Leviticus 27 verse 30, Malachi 3. Even after the law was broken. He was dealing with them, giving their tithe. Then you get to the New Testament in Matthew 2323 Jesus is rebuking the scribes and Pharisees, and he mentions the tithe and I want to just speak to that for just a second. This verse he says what you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. He says for you pay tithe of mint and anise in common does work tiny little herbs that were not even they they really didn't have to type some of these things, but they were counting out like Caesar were so minuscule in giving a tent those he says and you from omitted the May weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought to be done and not leave it leave the others undone.

So Jesus believe that love mercy, and judgment were weightier matters of the law judge, mercy, and faith. I should say and and and they were they were missing those elements of the law, but they were priding himself on tithing little tiny seeds making sure that they got down to the very base of that now Jesus says when he when he rebukes them for that. He says these things ought you to have done and not leave the others undone. You ought to give you ought to tithe but don't leave judgment, mercy, and faith. Undone is what he saying and so Matthew 2323 Jesus again confirms that I do not believe if you asked me what I believe about the Old Testament tithe.

Are we commanded to tie I do not believe personally. We are under a command to time. I believe we are under a principle of tithing.

I believe that God don't believe were under the Old Testament law.

I believe were under grace but I I don't see the command to tithe being given in the New Testament that I would say if they gave the tithe in the Old Testament under the law, how much more should we give a tithe under the under grace and what you find in the New Testament they gave a lot more than 10% for me it's always I've always type throughout my life and say that the some weight gain elevation I just say that that's a principle that I place them are because I think we've Abraham did that. You know why they gave a tent because it 10th represented the whole it was one of the Hunter was one of 10 it was it was it was it.

It represented the whole. That's why they would do that. So if Abraham did that Jacob did that that seem to be a principal in the Bible that was established. Then it turned into a commandant of the Old Testament law and in under the under the law of grace in the New Testament. I would say though, the woman who gave her two bites give 100% Jesus gave 100% God owns it all and in so I for me it's it's always been God, you, you have the first part I I would want to honor the Lord with and people say what part do I give do I give off the nets would I give off the gross. I believe that whenever you give. I think you should give off the gross of whatever you have coming in. I don't give a gift to the government.

After that, after some of the routes taken, you know, if paid insurance and whatever else you begin to get out. They take the top portion so the Bible says honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of Aldine increase Israelites and you know what the in the book of Malachi, they did.

They brought God.

Their leftovers brought God what they felt they could afford and and in that was that was fighting God.

You don't give got off the back and you give them off the front end and what you find. Over and over. The Bible literally says give him the firstfruits, the firstfruits will what's the firstfruits of the very first you know why you you and I should give God of our first is because he gave of his first and best, and because he's worthy of that.

I love this illustration of two little boys were each given a box of chocolates by the grandfather, the first boy took the parking lot baggage into his bedroom toward open stuff that candies into his mouth until he was a big mess of chocolate boy unwrapped his package. There was there in front of his grandfather. He opened the box looked at the candies. Many races, but raise the boxers grandfather. He said thank you for giving me this candy grandfather. Here you have the first piece it in and that's the picture of of the heart of a child of God. This is God. Everything I have is been given from you work for that. Who gave you the lungs who gave you air and breath so we come to God and say got you've given me all these things. I gladly return those to you. Giving is an act of worship so so giving should be done.

I think regularly I think it should be done every time we receive income that we turn that over to the Lord and in a way of honoring him pies were brought in the Old Testament to God's storehouse in the New Testament that is the local assembly the church. First Corinthians 16 12 says now concerning the collection for the saints. As I have given order to the churches of Galatia.

Even so, you do upon the first day of the week.

That's not Saturday that's on Sunday. That's the date early church met on the first day the week let every one of you lay by him store as God has prospered him that there be no gathered when I come. They were to bring their offerings. The first day the week because that's when they met and so we don't take up offerings. On Wednesdays we take him up on Sundays. Now some of us give online is nothing wrong with that. This is not a legalistic system.

Sometimes you can give 10% and have a terrible heart. You can give 9%. Have a great heart and honor the Lord and so what what I'm trying to say is you need to make sure what you give to God is in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ and and I think our giving should always be growing in a level and then people ask him. You know what is the tithe go toward well, you know that the properties we we we support here.

There's there's so much that goes on in and having a 14 acre 28,000 square-foot facility.

The property grounds tomorrow.forgot to announce this is a good time announces elderly redoing the parking lot re-spraying that resealing every sealcoating that in and in those things take money maintaining a property is is costly and and so also making tracks and chairs and upkeep of facilities staff that works here ministering also missionaries. We support missions and all around the world.

50 missionaries in and so those. Those are the things that tithe and offerings go towards the offering in the Old Testament again was given many times was there was free will offerings as well as commanded offerings in the Old Testament, and that the offerings in the Old Testament.

Sometimes overbuilding needs that they were applied to remember David. They brought all the offering for the building for the temple and the people didn't have to do that but they chose to do that and so we have offering searches that the missions in building and the way I believe a good process is to give 1/10 to the general fund and then I give up whatever else percent to building fund the work over and above my tie to give to the offering of building funder missions and in that's over and above that, to the Lord some gift of benevolence fund transportations and everything like that. We just talked about for moment offerings should be given three different ways.

First of all, should be done with a willing heart.

There should be a willingness to give Exodus 35 five says, take heed from among you, and offering on the Lord.

Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it an offer to the Lord. Gold and silver, and brass, verse 21 goes on and they came. Everyone whose heart stirred him up, and every one who is spirit made him willing and and and that's that's the ideas that you have a willing spirit to want to give to God giving here is talk about money, but that we often talk about the other areas, such as your time, your talents, your abilities, your gifts, all of that should be done in a willing manner. It his is rejoiced my heart over the years to see people who love to give to God of their time, energy, and so forth.

But there have been times where maybe we had a need come up and we have such a serving church that it is so awesome to see things get filled up and take care of but but I know there's been times of the years where some ways like begrudging about it and I'll always say you know you really don't worry about if you don't have a heart to do it. I'd rather you not really you don't have a heart to be better not I would rather not do a ministry and have people have about heart to do the Mr. site so so we we needed we need to do what what people's hearts are stirred up and willing to do and sometimes ministries are sacrificed because if you don't have that. So, so also they need to be given not only not only willingly with sacrificially. The churches of Macedonia. It says in second Corinthians 8 just just listen to what some of the things Paul writes about here. He says moreover, brethren, we do use the weight of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia want to talk you about the grace of God on the churches. He says how they didn't notice what he says great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality inside that verse. You have great trial and deep poverty joined with great joy and abundant riches and liberality are very giving verse three for to their power. That word means to their ability, and I bear record JB all their power ability. They were willing of themselves. They gave they were poor and they were in and in and persecution and they gave me on what they were able to give verse four praying us with much entrance and truly entry I should say. That means like there there imploring us there there pleading was thus that we would take it that we should receive the gift and take upon us the Fellowship of the ministering to the Saints. They just wanted to be a part of giving and ministering in supporting the ministry there verse five and this they did not, as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and done to us by the will of God before they gave to God. They gave God, their hearts they first gave God, their life, and then they gave God the resources you know who I see in the New Testament like that is Mary with the alabaster box appointment right this is worth a years wage. Think about what you make in a year and she broke it and poured it on Jesus. I mean, we would not ring it would be like, you know, maybe a couple drips. There's thousands of dollars coming out of this thing with every trap cannot make enough that's what date she did and Jesus in and the disciples were distraught by this because there like man, that's a lot of money.

All of them were bothered by they felt like a waste. Judas couldn't handle it exactly.

After that the Jews build out on Jesus and so they were upset by this and Jesus insert I can tell you what. When you serve Jesus you don't need to speak ill speak on your behalf, and he defended her and he says what she's done is for my burial. And and and and what she's done.

Will it will always be remembered. We still talk about her right and I think in our lives friends. Whatever we do with our resources or time or talents or money. Some of the things we do. It just dissolves into the world of blue, the things we give to God the things we invest in people that the souls that we minister to that that's what's lasting that's what what's valuable God is pleased in sacrificial giving. I think about Philippians chapter 4. All rights for even in Thessalonica. He's telling the church at Philippi, he said you sent once again in the my necessity is not because I desire gift pieces.

I am not desiring your money says but I desire fruit to about your account when you're giving. He says to my missions work.

He says you're going to be benefited. Verse 18, but I have on abound. I'm full, having received of the Pepperdine is the things which are sent from you the sweet smell the sacrifice when the last time it might cost you to give like it was like that stung a little bit sacrifice, acceptable in any said that's well pleasing to God, he says notice was like my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ God will take care of those who are faithful give in and then 1/3 way to give is to give cheerfully to give cheerfully sink reviews chapter 9 verse seven of the churches of Macedonia. He says every man according as he purposes in his heart. That's why I don't think it's were bound in and in a command of tithing but but what you purpose and your heart in my heart I have purpose to type everything that ever comes in the me my entire existence ever ever did I make give 1/10 of that. Always give 1/10 of that. No, I don't care what it is you. Because of that in and in because so so what if you purpose in your heart you want to maintain such a principal.

Do you want to what how do you want on regarding your gimmick, so let him give notice not grudgingly, or of necessity for God loves a what kind of giver cheerful giver. Don't be a begrudging giver cheerful giver so so I believe Christians can be in danger of robbing God by withholding the love and devotion to God.

A lot of times I can show up in the way we give to God I never want to get to heaven and have a white knuckles on the blessings of God's given me want to be able to be gracious not giving so thoroughly God's blessing to the giver. Notice what he says in verse 10, you must think this is the prosperity gospel what he says in verse 10 this is really an interesting statement because God is actually telling them to put him to a challenge. He says bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now test me literally here with, say, the Lord of host if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. For me this is this is really incredible. He says in verse 11. I will rebuke the devour God's says I'm not gonna let the devour common mess up things he says and it will destroy the fruit of your ground, your vines on the Cassis fruit, an untimely fashion. Verse 12 and all the nations shall call you blessed for you shall be the lights of Lansing, the Lord of hosts will be prosperous, you will be blessed.

Synchrony is 96 says, but this I say he would sew it sparingly shall also reap sparingly either.

So if bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Jesus said in Luke 638 give, and it shall be given in due good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over something given to your bosom with the same measure you give her you meet shall be measured back to you and so I tell you what friends there is a blessing from God, to those who are faithful to him, the founder of Quaker Oats. I get teased because I like oats. I put notes on almost I don't even want to get into this tonight but I love putting like not the big ones would like the smaller ones on like on the ice cream if you and enhance an experience you say you mean wrong. Yes, I mean put on their it's a texture thing for me. I don't know why I grew up eating no bake cookies and they whales like no bake cookies. A lie gets you into the gluttonous sin of just heaven like there's gotta be a no bake cookie somewhere in heaven. I know there it seems sinful, but there sanctified somehow and in so but but the founder of Quaker Oats Henry Cromwell found a Quaker Oats Company in a significant contributor the work of the Moody Bible Institute knew how to use money wisely. As a young man he received Christ as his Savior when he began his business career. A little Ohio factory promised God that he would honor him and is giving God's blessing was upon him, and then his business as it grew, he increased his giving. After more than 40 years of giving 60% of his income to God crowd testified I've never gotten ahead of God. He is always been ahead of me and giving I could talk to you about the head of Kraft cheese more than 25% of his income to Christian causes.

He said the only investment I ever made. It paid constant increasing dividends is the money I gave to God. John the Rockefeller's that I have typed every dollar God has entrusted me and I want to say if I had not tied the first dollar I made. I would not have ties, the first million dollars. I made new giving is not an issue of how much you have an issue.

The heart I remember reading about guys in in in in person persecution camps.

They were being persecuted for the cause of Christ and like Russians in different places, who they didn't have anybody see money but they ties the piece of crusty bread that they had a set every 10th day, we would give that away to somebody in the name of the Lord sees not a matter that in. They said the people who did that were the ones who ended up surviving God's grace was upon them, and they their spirits were better they were givers know there's a difference between a giver and taker wellborn takers.

That's why nobody's born saying it's yours. It's yours now it's your steak and roll like it's mine, it's mine.

You and the boat were born again to be givers because Jesus is the ultimate giver and when you get saved the ultimate giver comes inside of the ultimate taker returns the taker into a giver.

She would have and so we close out with some thoughts. Why is giving a blessing give you 57 reasons why okay skip you if you it is interesting to note there's only one verse in the entire New Testament where a quote from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ is given.

That's not mentioned in the Gospels. This is this is something he said while he was on earth in the flesh that is not recorded in the Gospels is the only quote by him. Given that is later on in the. The record of the epistles, but in the book of acts 20 verse 35 E. pulses Irish and show you all things have edited laboring yacht to support the weekend to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Giving is a blessing because it is more joyful to give than to receive. Takers are miserable people. That's why when we are all teenagers. We were miserable.

You know I as we were thinking about who are self showing a couple whose thinking about themselves and their miserable couple turned that couple in the givers and they just love each other and there's who can serve you the most and it's like a joyful marriage. Money also is a chief competitor with our affection to God. Jesus says either you serve God or money. Matthew 624. He says you can certainly can't serve two masters. Either God or man minutes of work for money so if if money is a chief competitor in my old heart's allegiance to God. I want to be able to faithfully give money to God so that my heart stays clean to God. Does that make sense to be honest. God doesn't need our money doesn't he owns everything we need to give God our money so that we don't get controlled by it.

It also protects us from covetousness, which is such a great sin also thoroughly money leads to all kinds of evil. First Timothy 616 says for the love of money is the root of all evil. It literally means the affection for silver your love for money. Money is a neutral thing. It's it's not good or bad, like a gun it can be very helpful. They can be very dangerous. But what you do with money is, is the issue, so loving, money leads to great problems and it says which while some coveted after, they air from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. So unfaithful to give to God will protect my heart from covetousness about you, but I think we all need that right. Also money can keep a person from being saved, you know, one of the reasons some people don't get saved because they love their money too much. Matthew 1923 and four, Jesus says that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I mean money it. Having money is in wrong but it's wrong when money has sin, and so we have to be careful because my can get a hold of our hearts. You can keep people from being saved. Number five giving to God. Evidence is our love for God. Jesus said in Matthew 621 where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. I like what one man said. He said other than the Bible. No other book reveals the truth about our heart like our checkbook want to know where heart is just I knew way. I knew a counselor one time. He said when he would sit down and counsel people. He asked for their checkbook and they said, why on earth you will see her checkbook effect is minimal and there were the problems are unaware your heart is most important to you know what you value and what you don't value William Barclay said we have not yet begun to be Christian. If we think of giving the Christ to his church in terms of as little as we's respectively can also it allows you to invest in eternity.

I mean I think about what else could we better invest in Jesus's lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven invest eternally, but also invest in ministries.

You know, you think working to get to the end of our life linger deathbeds. They want to give so much the missions give so much the church what why why did I help them start that churches support that mission or build that building or what. Why would I invest in that minute.

No say boy it's a lot better investment. There on biblical and unwise decisions with money leads to slavery. Proverbs 20 2/7 as the rituals of the poor, the bar serving to the lender when you're faithful to God. I can tell you it's like being faithful with your time. Nobody has any time for anything. And then they start going to church in a white man. My schedule seems to be a lot more regimented. I'm giving you know 12 hours a week due to church in ministries this thing that I see my got more time than I did before you like, as we start putting God first place in your time, he begins to settle out your schedule and for now things he didn't need monies the same way also allows us to trust God and not a money unit. One of the greatest reasons you should give is because this is God I trust you more than my wallet. You know what they put on the bill, the money we have in God we trust that somebody knew something right we will get because they knew there was a problem with trusting our money. The difficulty of stewardship is faith but the joy of stewardship is freedom to know the piece that you find when you're and is your life is in the hand of God and he's upholding you that you don't have to worry about possessions because they belong to God. To realize if God didn't spare his son but gave him up for so also not freely give us all things. We can just focus on seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added if God feeds the birds of the air and in and takes care of the animals of the earth. How much more will he take care of us who he died for. And so we can just get busy serving God and being faithful. I can say there's so many so many reasons that giving is a blessing you know you you can you can be a someone who give something without loving someone, but you cannot love someone without giving and so God calls us to return in verse seven says there's a danger of robbing God for faithfully give God will bless. We see many reasons deny by giving such a blessing. I would encourage you this week spent some time in someone 16 read that chapter read read second Corinthians 89 and just just be impacted by a slow down and say, God, let me look at.

I render to the Lord for all the benefits he's given every pay him. You know, we don't pay God back in giving we say God you are so valuable. It's a joy from. We can only come in on Sundays when the greatest ways we worship God is, you know, we seeing we greet we do all these things. One of the greatest ways we honor God is just by giving think I want to worship you and giving that's an act of worship and treated as such and so let's all stand tonight with has about nice closed friend I would say tonight. The greatest thing you can give to God, you have to first give your life to him before you ever give anything else you gotta give your life to help if you still before God and you've never turn your life over to Jesus Christ, let this be the night you do that, you sure of heaven. You know, heavens, your home, you still before God, would he say you surrender for your life to Jesus Christ the night you need to be serious about that surrender your life to give him your life and over in God, we thank you for your mercy for your grace.

We pray blessing on the simulations on the Lord as we look deny these verses we are so thankful when you are so gracious to call this the returning human.

We have fallen away. Help us to be vague surrender life not allow any sin or any anything in our lives, money or anything to keep us from you. We ask your blessing in Jesus thing