Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Honor God : Part 3 (Are you Robbing God?)

Malachi 3:6-12 talks about the importance of tithing and the consequences. How we handle money reveals our depth of commitment to God. Did you know that Jesus talked more about money than He did about Heaven and Hell combined? Whether we believe it our not, our material possessions impacts our spiritual walk with God. Tithing is a topic a lot of people tend to shy away from, but no matter how you feel about it, it is an intergal part of Christian life.
  1. Command
    (a) Claim of God - In Deut 12:22-23, the Lord makes His declaration regarding tithes.
    (b) Criticism from God - Sometimes we like to justify ourselves by giving partial tithe. However partial tithe is like giving partial devotion, which is unacceptable to Him. Giving the Lord partial devotion is no better than giving Him none at all.
    (c) Call of God - This the only time where the God permits us to test Him. "Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". (v10). The Lord is more anxious to pour blessings in to our lives than we are to receive it.
  2. Commitment - Tithing is an assessment of our spiritual walk with God.
    (a) Test of Acknowledgement - Do you believe it's God who gave you the ability to earn what you have today? Do you acknowledge it is through His strength you are able gain what you have?
    (b) Test of Trust - Tithing is all about stewardship. Will you trust God during your financial hardships?
    (c) Test of Surrender - Does it cost you to give tithe? By tithing you are surrendering to the Lord and saying you will trust in Him to provide for you.
  3. Consequences - Blessings and curses. Just as the Lord proclaim curses for those who rob Him of His tithes, He conversely mentions an overwhelming abundance of blessing for those who obey it. Even though material wealth may be part of His blessing, the true blessing He speaks of is the gift of spiritual blessing.

Disobeying God is ultimately robbing the Lord. Tithe is something God set up to help support the ministry and aid the poor. It provides a way to help further the kingdom of Christ. Will you help strengthen His kingdom will you try to rob Him?

--from Nakwon EM March 9th 2007 Sunday Worship Service
*To listen to this sermon in its entirety, please contact James Kim

No sleep and no food makes Ray go something.. something...... Go crazy? Hmm..don't mind if i do!! pwahahahahahaahhahahahaha

4 comments:

tobiacus said...

wait..what does you going crazy have to do with this summary? i'm j/k.
i'm still in shock that you did these three summaries all at once.
great job ray!

Anonymous said...

thank you, ray!

I think you meant to say in the end: "Will you strengthen His kingdom
OR will you try to rob God?"

Yes?

=)

Anonymous said...

whoa!!!! niice RAY!!!!
you probably learn the most out of everyone for doing this and without complaining ... i would be whining if i had to type all this up .. a blessing ... =)

Anonymous said...

I've not heard the actual sermon, but this is a great concise summary for such topic! My co-worker was also so blessed with this (along with the Part III of Honoring God) that she forwarded these to many of her other co-workers and friends! Thank you, Ray (though I don't know you), for the hardwork and the excellent job! God bless!