What Test?

Tithing is a test and here's something that you might not know God.

Not only this is the only place that I found were gods that welcome to the blessed life. If you know that the Bible actually says in one place that you can test God two passages please. Malachi chapter 3 last book of the Old Testament, Malachi chapter 3 and then second Chronicles 31 will go over there in a moment and really go through a lot of scripture in this message and I want to show you but tithing is scriptural and there is a God's word so Malachi chapter 3 verse six. This is where will start Malachi 364 I am the Lord. I do not change.

That's very important.

I don't change. I do not change. Therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

Nothing that's humorous. He said I don't change. So I haven't killed you yet. Personally, what I think the same. There I was nice and I'm still not smart. Verse seven yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from my ordinances become like that word ordinance. What is it mean and not kept them returned to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts, but you said in what way shall we return now before reverse site got me just remind you this is God talking this is God the God who does not change. This is the God who does not change talking. He said you you going for my ordinances. I judge the proletariat word ordinance means a principal of ordinary behavior you gone away from my principles of ordinary behavior for for God's children, and they say will in what way I want you notice this because this next verse, a preacher did make this up. Okay, this is God speaking. Verse eight will a man rob God or steal from God. Yet you have robbed me you've stolen from me, but you say in what way have we robbed you once again this is not talking in times and offerings.

You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me even this whole nation bring all the ties into the storehouse, that we, the church that there may be food in my house again. That's the church and try the milking changes the word prove the English standard version use word test test to me now.

In that says says the Lord of hosts, I just want you and sometimes he puts says Lord most so we remember who's talking here, the one who can change his talking tacitly says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it and I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes for your sakes so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field says the Lord of host and all nations will call you blessed for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of host. It is this is God talking and this is the God who can't change you have to remember that and he says you got away for my ordinances. You gotta wait for my ordinary principles of behavior.

Tithing is an ordinary principle of behavior for God's children. Thank God for their income for their harvest for their increased that's an ordinary principal and he said because you gone away from my ordinary principles, younger personnel, you need understand. Sometimes we say while Christians can be under curse because Christ bore the curse of the law on the cross media that is in regards to our salvation, but are you saying then that you can live anywhere you want in it and it doesn't affect you sent your site because that's it's it's crazy to think that way safely up there if we if we steal their consequences are cursed as a consequence if you steal, there's a consequence. When you steal from God, and some even say well yeah, but that the Lord owns it all. Yes, but he actually gives a stewardship over it, but he reserves 10% for himself. That's why says you stolen because he says I have set apart the tide for the house of God. So if you keep it your stealing and this word is also using Joshua six and seven when they took the time they were such great. He said Israel has stolen stolen energy and please please Herman, I did make the Georgia these are strong words, God said if stolen from you brought me in because that your under curse and I don't want you under curse.

I don't want you living under curse, but you're voluntarily placing yourself under curse because you're going away for my ordinary principles of behavior now. I had a conversation with the Lord one time but this passage because this is probably the most famous passage on tithing.

Although there are many passages on tithing I'll show you some of the but is probably most famous one, and so I had a conversation with the Lord one time a support. The number one reason that I hear that people long time as they say will that's in the Old Testament that's in the Old Testament, and so I said the Lord you Lord you put this in Malachi 3 and there's Malachi 4 and in Matthew one couldn't you have just waited just a little while. I mean that you know these verses only miss the New Testament by like 15 versus McCurdy just waited just a little off and put it you know what the Lord sent to my just felt in my spirit. He said I put it right. Where will and the reason he is here support number one. Because tithing is a test tithing is a test see God is testing our hearts even when a person argues about tithing. I think to myself what is the spirit behind this. Why would this person argue when God gave his son for you and you won't even give him 10% what would you argue about this. It's amazingly, I'm telling you it's a test of your heart to test. Now here's what I believe he chose 10%. By the way, the word tie is a Hebrew word Mas raw is the Hebrew word and it means temp part or 10% part so that's where we we get this from that we know it's 10%. Here's what I think you chose 10%. First of all I think you chose a percentage because it's fair to everyone. It doesn't matter if you make 30,000 or 300,000.

It's a penny on every dime. It's the same for every person but here's a reason I think you chose 10 because for some reason many times we see the number 10 in the Bible it represents testing, electricity, Lord test with Francis Lenny let's let's take a look test all right, when asked asked your question and I want you answer me out loud. All the cancers all the churches just say your answer out loud. All right, here's the first question how many plagues were there in Egypt TM right now. I could've set a different whackers that how many times a God test Pharaoh's heart because that's what he did but were familiar with how we played sort of like here's a second? How many Commandments are there TN okay now I want to ask another question and you might not know this.

There's a pattern here okay and this is a number 14 were not actually says this later.

Right, but ended I want you to answer your answer just a little louder. Okay, how many times did God test Israel in the wilderness at Sprint life. How many time you get. He might not know this but okay. How many times were Jacobs wages changed TN God was testing his heart. How many days was Daniel tested how many virgins were tested in Matthew 25. How many days of testing are mentioned in Revelation.

How many disciples were there no, there were 12 of just testing I just just I just testing so tithing is a test and but here's something that you might not know it's a two-way test, God not only test you, but this is the only place in Scripture that I found were God said contest testing this word try that sometime translate test or proof. It comes from the way you test the metal door you test gold to see if it spirit you gotta say test me to save on peer test me, I won't you. I want you to see because I want to open the windows of heaven. I want to bless you. I want to rebuke the devour for you but it depends on whether you're going to thank me and worship me and walk in faith and what you're going to believe that 90% with God's blessing will go farther than 100% without you open an area faith. When we do this again. I hear people say things like euros Old Testament our someone will say all you know that's under the law.

I don't understand that argument what it was under the law, and I'm under grace. And I'm not saying we do it because obviously were saved by grace, but there are principles that were under the law, that we should still walk as believers.

Thou shalt not commit adultery was under the law. Are you saying as a believer you can you can walk in adultery and and and no consequences of thou shalt not murder was under the law. Are you saying that because it was wrong under the law now to write under grace. It's crazy.

I here's number two, number one tithing is a test. Here's number two tithing is biblical biblical you need to know that it's biblical. There are a lot of people that they don't tie in. Here's really there. You're not a bad person.

Not a bad person. I'm not saying that it all knotted all you not a rebellious person but a lot of people don't really believe it's in that really believe it's for us today so let me show you some scriptures right will get the second Chronicles 31 in the moment. Genesis 14 verses 18 through 20. Then Melchizedek king of Salem. Salem means peace brought out bread and wine. There's representation of communion. Even the Old Testament. He was the priest of God most time and he blessed him.

Now let's talk about Abraham, Abraham, Abram, and said, Blessed be Abram of God most high possessor of heaven and earth and blessed be God most high, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.

Now watch this and he that's Abram, Abraham gave him that's Melchizedek a time of all you need to know if you don't know this theologically. This is about 500 years before the law and regulations is Abraham's our spiritual father and Melchizedek Hebrew says is a type of Christ and theologians leap.

It's actually Jesus Christ because he says he has no GM genealogy is what Hebrew says no mother, no father, no no beginning of days. No end-of-life.

It's pretty amazing so it's either Jesus himself are a type of Christ in our spiritual father hi gives 10% 500 years before the law. Genesis 28 verse 22 this, Jacob, and the stone which I've set up as a pillar shall be God's house again an implication that the tide goes to God's else and of all that you give me I will surely give a Tiant to you. This is about 400 years before the law.

Leviticus 27, 30, and all the tide of the land. All of it. All the ties of the land, whether of the seed of the land are the fruit of the tree is the Lords numbers it belongs to God.

It is holy to the Lord root of the word holy means set apart God has set it apart for that's the only reason he could say your stealing from because I set that apart from my house and if you keep it your stealing a Deuteronomy 26 verses one to and it shall be when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and you possess it and dwelling it that you shall take some of the first. I'll show you next week and just a moment later down this passage how that refers to the tide. First of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from the land that the Lord your God is giving you and you put it in a basket and watches and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make his name abide begin referring to church when you go to you go to church you go to a place where the Lord chooses to make his name abide then look at verse 13 then you shall say before the Lord your God.

I have removed the holy time towards the set apart 10%. The holy tithe from my house and it given them to the Levite, the stranger, the followers and the widow he be directed where the tide was to go according all your commandments which you have commanded me.

I'd not transgressed your commandments nor by forgotten them. I do not eat any of it.

When the morning. I did use some of the time when I went through difficult time, nor have I removed any of it free unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, an adult done according to all that you have commanded me. Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people I've removed the holy set apart to part from from my house and I've given it, brought it to your house Lord and now he says that you have to do that you pray this prayer look down from heaven, and bless your servant. When asked a question right.

If Jesus said it that you ought to time in the New Testament in red. Would you do it will see the verse Matthew 2323 Jesus is speaking.

Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites for you pay time 10% of net anise and cumin.

Those are spices and had neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy, and faith watch very carefully these you ought to have done without leaving the others undone. Here's what Jesus said you guys give ties not only of your firstfruits, but you may give ties of the spices that you can put on your food. But you neglected justice, mercy five then Jesus says, you ought to do that. The auditing that the don't leave the other undone exegesis you try but you don't do this, you ought to do that, but don't leave this on or audit do those things, but only that undone either way. Gate Hebrews talks about again. Melchizedek and Jesus and how mortal men receive ties on this earth initially what Hebrew says talk about Jesus is our Melchizedek watch this. Hebrews 7 verse eight here mortal men receive receive ties, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives less than you put your tithe in a plate are offering bag or basket. However, it is that you give your type mortal men take care of it. Managing things like that.

But listen in heaven he receives it, of whom it is witnessed, he lives.

Jesus Christ received and makes me want to so it is biblical and here's number three.

Tithing is a blessing tithing is a blessing case lite about that second Chronicles 31 now and read their so if you put a marker there. Second Chronicles 31 Hezekiah one day's reading the Scriptures, and he sees these verses about tithing and they are in an economic recession, and he realizes were under curse the whole nation because were not typing where, or stealing from God's so that's where we pick up the story. Second Chronicles 31 verse four. Moreover, he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priest and the Levites that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord, not just one just to stop for just a moment. Remember what Malachi said bring the tide and storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and again there were, natural food, but think about it today. Spiritual food by limiting sessions that mark when you when you come to church. Do you enjoy the food, the spiritual food that you get enjoy okay someone's paying for now I know I'm being blunt. I'm not trying to be blunt, trying to be offensive in any way I'm I'm just just a reality. Someone's paying for this building from Spain, futility someone's paying for the staff salaries someone's paying not not just for me to devote myself to the word of God and to bring messages but for all the staff for the youth ministry for children's ministry, women's ministry, men's ministry for the Nuno teaching class is for us.

We we have Kairos and freedom ministry and always it someone's paying for that someone has to question his polemic, food here to give you an analogy would any of you here go to a restaurant, eat a meal and then leave without paying for any of you. Some Christians do that every week I go to church, eat a meal and skip out on check pierced ears the same thing. You're the one it's hurt. I don't preach on tithing because the church needs money and where were were doing fine financially.

I promise you I'm doing this to help you. This will change your life, your family, your finances, your marriage, your children or grandchildren for such a promise I so he puts out, he says, everyone needs to bring the time to the house of God in Outlook verse five. As soon as the commandment was circulated. The children of Israel brought in abundance, the firstfruits, again, I'll show you next week of that relates to the type of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field and I brought in abundantly. The I of everything that is right there showing you it's the type and the children of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah brought the tie of oxidant sheet. Also, the tide of holy things which were consecrated to the Lord their God. They laid in keeps in the third month they begin laying the amenities and they finished in the seventh month of these month relate to the harvest day in one Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the keeps they bless the Lord and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah question the priest and the Levites concerning the heaps and has arrived achieve free from the house of they not answered him and said since the people began to bring the offerings into the House of Lords in the tide always going to go to the house of God, we had had enough to eat and have plenty left for the Lord has blessed his people and what is left is this great abundance is what happens the king since healthy this the commandment and said, word was mostly tithing to the house of God. So the people begin doing it. They begin the third month, which is a harvest time.

But then there's another harvest. The seventh month and they continue through a time and and so when the king comes to visit, and he sees these keeps keeps that the people brought to the house of God. What, in essence, he says. It says a question about the 22nd are the people. Okay they'll can you look how much they've given. Do they have enough left in the priest said okay as soon as the people started to do it God's way. God so blessed to him. What you're seeing here is just the 10%. If you think there heaps here.

Go look at the 90% to look at how God blessed his people when they begin obeying his word. I been in ministry now for over 30 years of our two testimonies for that time about tithing consistent testimonies in Scripture says in the mouth of two or three witnesses. Take care. The two testimonies people sent to me.

Tyler's consistently said to me we are so blessed.

Boy had all changed when we begin tithing. We are so blessed Pastor Rob we are so blessed. That's what toddlers are set is what non-tithers of sin. I can afford type. That's the testimony I can afford the time and and again not mean not rebellious people as I can afford that listening you will never be able to afford to tie until your time. Because tithing is what breaks the curse and rebukes the end of our as soon as you start to get ahead, something else will break because the develop, but tithing is what rebukes think about this Jesus said I'm going away for well Sarah, I'm going away and coming back while I'm gone. I want you to take care my wife 10% and keep the money. We just just remind you, is the church, the bride of Christ to listen very carefully. Tithing might be more personal to Jesus than what you thought because it's his wife.

He has the power and if you say what can't leave you just take it away and give the others if you don't think Jesus would do that. Read the parable of the talents. When he took from the one that wasn't faithful and gave it to the one who was faithful. He wants to provide for you, but why would he provide them. Bless people who will not even be concerned about his wife. It's a test and it's very important we pass this test.

Every time we get paint we take a test and that test is to are we going to honor for our paycheck and we will honor God now, and encouraging time to your local church put God first in every area of your life, including your finances alone also encourage you that he'd like to get this entire series because there's a lot more than I covered when I shared this with the church that can't cover each week on the television program or even every day as we go on television in many places someone encourage you get the series. Get the book. Let God speak to you and be the generous person that God created you to be seen next to the enemy will do anything to keep you from discovering God's principles for financial stewardship giving and blessing. It is because once you apply these godly principles is Pastor Robert is outlined in his series, you will begin to see change in every area of your life your marriage to your health to your finances, your life will be transformed for the better position to make an even bigger impact for the kingdom of God would like for you to have a copy of these life-changing messages right now for your gift of any amount will sing you a digital download of Pastor Robert signature series. The blessed life and will include his message. The seven words of Christmas will also include the Christmas story resource guide and if you give $85 brand-new Christmas devotional. Manuel God with us.

Pastor Robert the seven words of Christmas and a set of three beautiful Christmas ornaments with the words peace and joy and free gift of $155 or more will also include our new company enjoyed blanket and a beautiful leather bound comparative parallel Bible, complete with Scripture from four popular Bible translations. Visit us today and Pastor Robert.com to request these resources and is always thinking for your continued support of Pastor Robert Morris ministry's for me it was, stay away from that talk about other things got involved in all the other aspects of my life. But you know what the money thing… All that off, and it was a real struggle for me in and came down to basically if I really say I'm putting God first in my life. First, the definition of tithing to me was an admission ticket church is sad as that sounds to say go to church and all and put it in the basket progression to complaints and really felt like the Holy Spirit was really I want and we talked about. We were not in the same time I think we agree guiding and help to bring starting to feel a great sense of peace for work or for personal life for our family. I know that God is in control. If I'm doing the right thing and being a good steward of the money and being a good steward of my time being good stewards and trying to help build his kingdom blesses me and pours into me with that sense of calm and peace and confidence.

I think the hardest part starting the hardest part first and my challenge is to put God first in your life me always perfect but put him first in your life, especially in this area over the last. My only regret is that