Malachi 3:8
Giving to God is a privilege, not a requirement, and it's an opportunity to invest in His kingdom and receive blessings in return.
Chuck Smith addresses the sensitive topic of giving in his sermon on Malachi 3:8, emphasizing that robbing God is akin to robbing a bank, as many are shocked by the former yet neglect their obligations to God. He highlights that giving is a privilege for believers, not a necessity for God, who owns everything and offers us the chance to invest in His kingdom. Smith encourages the congregation to prove God through their tithes and offerings, noting that while tithing is part of the law, we are now under grace, which calls for generous giving. He concludes with the promise of blessings for those who give, assuring that God will protect their harvests and provide abundantly.
Text
"PROVIDING GOD"
Intro: First sermon from this text or on this subject very sensitive.
"Church is a money grabber," "All they talk about is money." If
you are new today or hold that concept, I hope you put nothing
into the offering and if you did please don't ever do it again.
Giving is the privilege of the believer. Passed over this text
again, but God spoke to me about it. I was robbing the people of
the blessing from God.
I. "WILL A MAN ROB GOD?"
A. Will a man rob a bank?
1. The thought of robbing a bank is shocking.
2. Some who are shocked at idea of robbing bank. Yet turn
around and rob God.
B. How can a man rob God?
1. By taking from Him and giving nothing in return.
a. What do you owe God? Life, health, strength,
"every good and perfect..."
b. What have you given in return?
2. "In tithes and offerings."
a. Tithe means 10%.
b. First mention Abraham, Jacob entered into a
covenant.
II. GIVING TO GOD IS A PRIVILEGE.
A. God doesn't need your money.
1. God is not poor of broke.
2. He created all the gold we have on earth.
a. Perhaps He has created solid gold planets.
b. At least He could.
3. Idea that God needs it is foolish.
B. God is giving you an opportunity to invest, in His kingdom.
1. The investment that pays you after you're dead and its
dividends are never taxable.
C. How blessed of God to grant us this privilege.
III. GOD'S CHALLENGE TO PROVE HIM.
A. Only place in all of scripture is challenge made.
1. In certain things it is wrong to try to prove God.
a. Satan took Christ to pinnacle of temple.
b. "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
2. Here God says, "prove me."
B. This is only realm we are to seek to prove Him.
IV. TITHING IS IN THE LAW, WE ARE UNDER GRACE.
A. Tithing is a law like gravity.
1. You don't jump from an airplane.
2. "Give and it shall be given unto you."
3. He that soweth sparingly."
B. N.T. method of giving?
1. "And if any and ought or possessions they went out and
sold it and brought the price and laid it at the
Apostle's feet."
V. THE PROMISED BLESSING.
A. "Pour out a blessing."
B. Rebuke the devoured.
1. Not destroy fruits of your ground.
2. Vine not cast fruit before time.
Sermon Outline
- Will a Man Rob God? points: - Robbing God - How Can a Man Rob God? - By Taking from Him and Giving Nothing in Return - What Do You Owe God? - What Have You Given in Return?
- Giving to God is a Privilege points: - God Doesn't Need Your Money - The Investment That Pays You After You're Dead - He Created All the Gold We Have on Earth - God is Giving You an Opportunity to Invest - How Blessed of God to Grant Us This Privilege
- God's Challenge to Prove Him points: - Only Place in Scripture is Challenge Made - In Certain Things it is Wrong to Try to Prove God - Here God Says, 'Prove Me' - This is Only Realm We are to Seek to Prove Him
- Tithing is in the Law, We are Under Grace points: - Tithing is a Law Like Gravity - And If Any and Ought or Possessions They Went Out and Sold It - Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You - He That Soweth Sparingly - N.T. Method of Giving
- The Promised Blessing points: - Pour Out a Blessing - Rebuke the Devoured - Not Destroy Fruits of Your Ground - Vine Not Cast Fruit Before Time
Key Quotes
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.” — Chuck Smith
“God is not poor or broke. He created all the gold we have on earth. Perhaps He has created solid gold planets. At least He could.” — Chuck Smith
“Give and it shall be given unto you.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Giving to God is a privilege, not a requirement, and it's an opportunity to invest in His kingdom and receive blessings in return.
- We should give to God with faith and trust, not because He needs our money, but because it's an opportunity to demonstrate our love and commitment to Him.
- The promised blessing of giving to God includes protection from destruction and fruitfulness in our lives.