Mocking God
Giving God all means surrendering everything to Him, including our finances, and giving Him the first and best of what we have.
Arthur Vess challenges the congregation on the excuse of giving God all and not believing in just giving a part. He questions when they truly turned everything over to God and how they treat God when it comes to giving, emphasizing the importance of honoring God with their finances. Vess highlights the need to make God the deed holder of all possessions and to support His servants such as preachers, missionaries, and teachers. He urges the congregation to come out from religious pretense and give God His tithe before boasting of giving Him everything.
Text
9. Excuse Nine: "Oh, I give God all. I do not believe in just giving a part." This sounds good, but when did you turn it over to God? How do you treat God when he sends around the collection plate? Some do like the Wicked Husbandmen; they send God's servants away empty while they themselves use the vineyard they gave (?) to God. When did you make God the deed for all you have? When did you write him the check for his money which you gave to him? What about his servants, -- preachers, missionaries, teachers, etc.?
God's servants and work should share his money! ''The laborer is worthy of his hire." "They that preach the gospel shall live of the gospel."Come out from your hiding of religious show, and give God his tithe before you boast of giving Him all.
How can you give God all and refuse to give a part, -- one tenth?
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of Partial Giving
- A. Giving God a part, but not all
- B. The hypocrisy of boasting about giving God all
- II. The Importance of Tithing
- A. God's servants are worthy of their hire
- B. The Bible teaches that preachers and missionaries should live from the gospel
- III. The Need for Authenticity
- A. Coming out from hiding behind religious show
- B. Giving God his rightful tithe
Key Quotes
“When did you turn it over to God? How do you treat God when he sends around the collection plate?” — Arthur Vess
“Come out from your hiding of religious show, and give God his tithe before you boast of giving Him all.” — Arthur Vess
“How can you give God all and refuse to give a part, -- one tenth?” — Arthur Vess
Application Points
- Examine your own giving and make sure you are giving God his rightful tithe.
- Surrender everything to God, including your finances, and give Him the first and best of what you have.
- Provide for God's servants, who are worthy of their hire, by giving generously to their work.