Tithe Challenge – Week 2 – Floodgates

Posted on September 28, 2011 by dkoop

Last week we looked at, 10 “Bring the whole tithe… Test me in this,”   As we saw last week, although it is wrong to test God with complaining, rebellion, and unbelief (Exod 17:2-7; Num 14:22; Deut 6:14-18; Pss 78:17-19,40-42,56-58; 95:8-9; 106:6-29), it is not wrong to test him with obedience, especially giving. 

 Today we will look at the last part of verse 10 where it talks about the result:  God opening the floodgates of heaven.   God’s response to the people’s faithful obedience would be the opening of “the floodgates of heaven” and his “pouring” on them an abundance of blessing.

 The phrase “floodgates of heaven” also occurs in Gen 7:11; 8:2  as the source of the rain that flooded the earth.

The promise to open the “floodgates of heaven” in response to our obedience is amplified in two ways.  The first amplification is that the flood would be not rain but blessings!  

Secondly, the phrase “until there is no longer sufficient room for it” means that God will pour out beyond human need.  God is able to give more than we can handle.  A flood is too much water.  A flood of blessings would be that we have more than we need.  Excess of what we actually need.  I have found this to be true in my own life.  God gives me so much!  I am flooded with his blessings.  

I want us to understand clearly that God’s blessings are not only money, but peace of mind, health, joy, and the list would go on and on.  Gina Palmer one of our members says it this way, “When I tithe, God changes my heart.  I love my husband more, I love my daughter more, I am more thankful and more content of what I have.” 

Jesus said, “Where your heart is there your treasure will be.” When we take the time to make our treasure God, by obeying and giving back to him, our hearts change!  I know that by giving I actually realize how much I have, and how much God has given me.  The spiritual blessings, the emotional blessings, the relational blessings and the physical blessings are too many to count. 

Giving changes my heart to where I not only think of myself, (which comes all too natural) to thinking about God, and all that He his, and all that He has done and that I am flooded by so many good things not because I deserve them.  Oh no! It’s because God is faithful, He is amazing, and His word is true.   I pray you will know all the ways God has blessed you in these three months.   

May you know the floodgates of God’s blessing,

Darrell

Sources:
Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament
Life Application Bible Notes
 Matthew Poole’s Commentary

Giving may also be done online at www.ridgefellowship.com

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Am I Decieved By Wealth?

Posted on September 26, 2011 by dkoop

Our income has more than doubled since the 1950’s.  Life expectancy has increased dramatically.  Unlimited food at affordable prices has made overindulgence a problem not just for the well off but for the poor.

In the 1950’s most Americans lived in smaller houses, owned one car and few if any family members attended college.  Today most American’s live in spacious houses, own at least two cars, send most children to college BUT we are not any happier.  The percentage of Americans who describe themselves as “happy” has not changed since the 1950’s.

Far from feeling better about our lives many are feeling worse.

Such gloominess may seem strange in a country of ever higher living standards along with advances in medicine and technology.   Why?  There is much speculation. Some say Collapse Anxiety, a fear that all of the bounty we currently seem to enjoy will somehow come crashing down around us.  Another reason is Abundance Denial.  Surveys show that no matter how much most American’s make, we actually believe twice as much is required to “live.”  

If, like many people, you aspire to a higher standard of living, you may think that when you achieve that promotion, the big house, the money or even improved health – you’ll finally be happy. Yet happiness rarely comes. That’s because real happiness is never contingent – or even directly related to – possessions or achievements. 

If there was ever a doubt, modern American life proves that money cannot buy happiness.

The above is adapted from the book, The Progress Paradox by Greg Easterbrook.  

I think the Bible says it best, “do not put your hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”   1 Tim. 6:17

When our trust is in wealth instead of God:

  1. We will never be satisfied.

Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Ecclesiastes 5:1

 2.   We will have more turmoil.

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.  Proverbs 15:16

 3.  We will have a harder time giving.

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:21

As Americans our wealth is a blessing from God, but it is also a huge spiritual challenge.

Jesus explains why some people don’t grow spiritually:

 “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  Matt 13:22-23

Are you happy?  Can you give easily? Are you growing spiritually?  Have you been deceived by wealth?

It’s surprising to me how easily I can think that more income and more things will bring happiness.  I have been deceived in thinking they will.  I want to put my trust in God who provides.  How about you?

Darrell

For more about the series, In God We Trust go to www.ridgefellowship.com

All verses are from the New International Version

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Tithe Challenge – Week 1- Test Me!

Posted on September 21, 2011 by dkoop

We have begun a Tithe Challenge. (A three month test of giving 10% to God to see what happens!)  I am praying for those of you who are signed up and I am excited about what God will do in our lives.   This is the first post during our next 12 weeks in this challenge together.

I think the first question some may have is, Why a challenge?  Why use the word tithe and challenge together?  It’s because the Bible does.  I find it interesting that it says, “Do not test the LORD your God…” Deuteronomy 6:16 (NIV) in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, Jesus even quoted this verse when tempted by Satan.  We are told not to tempt the Lord in any area, but one.

Test Me In Tithing

The one area where God says, “TEST ME” is in the area of giving 10%.  It’s the place where our finances and our faith intersect.  “Test Me”, God says.  Since He gives us permission to challenge or test Him, I have no problem calling this the “Tithe Challenge.”  It’s biblical.

Let’s look at this particular passage in Malachi 3:10.

10 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 you will not have room enough for it.  11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.  Malachi 3:10-11 (NIV)  

What Is A Tithe?

The word “tithe” comes from a Hebrew word that means “ten.”  A tithe is 10 percent of one’s income, whether it’s grain, fruit, animals, or money (Lev. 27:30-34; Neh. 13:5). There were special storage rooms in the temple for keeping the grain, produce, and money that the people brought to the Lord in obedience to His Law.  If people didn’t want to carry heavy produce all the way to the temple, they could convert it into cash, but they had to add 20 percent to it just to make sure they weren’t making a profit and robbing God (Lev. 27:31).

Isn’t Tithing Old Testament Law?

Actually tithing predates the law.  Tithing, as an act of worship, is as old as Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, acknowledging that Melchizedek was the representative of the Most High God (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7).  Jacob vowed to God that he would tithe (Gen. 28:22), so tithing pre-dates the Law of Moses.  Later tithing was included in the Law of Moses as a part of Israel’s worship.  In bringing the tithes and offerings, the people were not only supporting the ministry of their public worship system, but they were also giving thanks to God for His abundant provision for their own needs.

What About Tithing In The New Testament? 

The word “tenth” or tithe is used 10 times in the New Testament.  Interesting number!  It’s found in Matthew 23:23-24 and Luke 11:42.  In these two passages, Jesus told the Pharisees they should tithe as they had been without neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.  The other 8 times are found in Hebrews 7 v. 4-10 where it describes Abraham’s relationship to Christ by drawing a parallel between Abraham’s tithe and his acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 suggests proportionate giving and “grace giving” in 2 Corinthians 8-9, which is certainly beyond 10 percent.  Most biblical commentators suggest that if believers under the Old Covenant brought their tithes, how could Christians under the New Covenant begin with anything less?

Thanks again for taking the time to grow and be challenged by God’s word and to be challenged to give.  Next time we will explore more of these concepts that relate to giving, God’s blessing, and how God blesses when we take this step of faith.

P.S.  Please share as God works in your life.  I would love to hear your stories of how God is working in your life.

Not signed up?  Just post a comment that says, “Sign me up” or “I’m in” and I will email you.

Darrell

 Sources:
Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament
Giving and Tithing, Larry Burkett
Life Application Bible Notes
Matthew Poole’s Commentary

Try Giving on Line at www.ridgefellowship.com

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The Truth is, I’m Wealthy

Posted on September 14, 2011 by dkoop

God has blessed me with more than I need.

The reason I don’t feel wealthy is that I often compare myself to others who have more.  How about you?

To be fair, we need to compare what we have to the rest of the world.

Did you know that…

  • More than 3 billion people, close to half the world’s population, live on less than $2 a day.
  •  1.3 billion people live on $1 or less per day.
  • In comparison, the average American earns from 46 to 92 times more than over half the world’s population.

According the US Census Bureau:

  • Leander’s median household income is $68,4078
  • Cedar Park’s median household income is $67,878
  • The median household income for the US is  $52,175

If you make the average household income of Leaner TX which is $68,000, you are in the top 0.86 richest people in the world!

Do you feel blessed now?  I do!

The stats comparing our wealth as American’s to the rest of the world are numerous, but here are a couple more…

  •  92% of the world’s population does NOT own a car.
  • 89% of American households own more than one car.

One source I read said “North Americans, by many measures, are the most successful people the world has ever known.”

I used to think that when the Bible was talking about the wealthy, it was talking about people who have more than I have.  Now, I know that I am wealthy.

When the Bible is speaking about the wealthy, it is speaking to me.

Darrell

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

For more about the series, “In God We Trust” check out www.ridgefellowship.com

Sources:

http://www.hopeinternational.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hms_poverty_statistics
http://EzineArticles.com/473045
 http://www.globalrichlist.com/
 http://www.chacha.com/question/what-percent-of-the-population-owns-a-car
http://www.ecofuture.org/pk/pkar9506.html
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