Statute, Obedience and Blessings

1. Statute, Obedience and Blessings Malachi 3:6-12

2. Introduction • The biblical teachings on tithing, offering and giving. • Ignorance and inadequacies.

3. Mal 3:6-12 • “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.   “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’  “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’  “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 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 there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.

4. What are giving, tithing and offering?

5. I. Giving • Giving / donations (捐贈, 助人樂捐) • 2Co 9:7-9 Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work; (9) As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever." 「少種的少收，多種的多收」，這話是真的。 (7) 各人要隨本心所酌定的，不要作難，不要勉強，因為捐得樂意的人是神所喜愛的。 (8) 神能將各樣的恩惠多多的加給你們，使你們凡事常常充足，能多行各樣善事。

6. I. Giving • Christians have a moral obligation to help those in need • Christians and non-Christians • Charities: Salvation Army, children's home, hospitals & schools. • Disasters: Tsunami & Katrina, tornados • No amount stipulated, but strongly encouraged

7. II. Tithing • Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’  “In tithes and offerings. 人豈可奪取神之物呢？你們竟奪取我的供物。你們卻說：『我們在何事上奪取你的供物呢？』就是你們在當納的十分之一和當獻的供物上。

8. II. Tithing 什一 • Tithing 什一奉獻 • Not tithe and make offering as necessary is violating God's decree/statue/law and same as robbing God. • 10th of one's income • Used for in support of ministries, personnel and materials

9. II. Tithing 什一 • The necessity of tithing • Our own worship needs • Personnel needs • Equipment and uses

10. II. Tithing 什一 • Things we should know: church finances (財務): • Non-Profit • Management: • Pastor does not control finances • Managed by committee and the deacon board • Large expenditure has to be approved by congregation • Transparent: • Open to inspection and review and questions. E.g.: The semi-annual meeting. • Accountable: • The finance and accounting is open and available to church members • All the expenses are documented • Lawful: IRS requires good accounting

11. III. Offering 奉獻 • Offering (Worship and Faith offering) • As worship, free offerings, special offerings, and vows • Offering that one makes: (generally voluntary) • In required worship (compulsory and fulfilled by Jesus) • In appreciation (personal worship) • In vowing (vowing) • In giving the Lord willingly (faith offering) • Biblical example: Gen 28:20-21

12. III. Offering 奉獻 • Deu 23:21-23 When you shall vow a vow to Jehovah your God, you shall not wait to pay it, for Jehovah your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin in you. (22) But if you shall cease to vow, it shall be no sin in you. (23) That which has gone out of your lips you shall keep and perform, even a free-will offering, according as you have vowed to Jehovah your God, which you have promised with your mouth. 「你向耶和華你的神許願，償還不可遲延；因為耶和華你的神必定向你追討，你不償還就有罪。 (22) 你若不許願，倒無罪。 (23) 你嘴裡所出的，就是你口中應許甘心所獻的，要照你向耶和華你神所許的願謹守遵行。

13. III. Offering 奉獻 • About faith offering • It is a commitment, a promise to God. • It needs to be honored. • Un-kept commitments are wrong and unpleasing to the Lord • Terms of violation • All that promised must be delivered and a 20% penalty. • Lev 6:1-7

14. IV. Appication • A practice in obedience and therefore in faith • Source of Blessing • Protection and reward in the fruits of our labor • Blessings does not necessarily mean wealth • Needs and wishes met • Comfort in peace • A Testable Blessing (a challenge by God)

15. V. Conclusion • Nature of the giving's: • Giving: loving our neighbor • Tithing: meeting our own needs • Offering: Our Worship, appreciation and devotion • Spiritual Practice • Obedience • Faith • Promised blessings • It is an avenue of worship, receiving blessings and serve, and advancing the kingdom.