GOD’S WORD ABOUT YOUR MONEY.

PREACHER: REV. DR. WILLY MUTISO.

TEXT: MARK 12 : 41 – 44.

INTRODUCTION:
In the course of preaching on home and family, we have dealt with several sensitive and controversial topics. This morning, let us hear the touchiest subject of all: “Your money and how to handle it.” What does God say about your money? First, the preliminaries of money:

1: Money is essential – we all depend on money for food, houses, clothes, cars, and other necessities of life. If you don’t have money, you are in serious trouble.
2: Money is overrated – the world tells us about how we can get more money. Sometimes we get out to look for money only to hurt ourselves. We stop depending on God. Our provision is His business (Matt. 6:25-33).
3: Money can be used for great good – to build schools, hospitals, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and provide for the needs of the Kingdom (the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-37).
4:Money can be used for great evil – money financed the Westgate terrorists. The drug culture, pornography, prostitution, wars, sins (1 Tim. 6:10).
5: Money must be used properly – every Christian has the responsibility of stewardship. When we invest in the Kingdom of God, our hearts will be there. If we put our money in the hands of the world, we think about things below (Matt. 6:19-24).
6: Money can lead to terrible bondage – slavery of debt; debts keep us from serving God (Pro. 22:7).
7: Money must be used to bring glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31; Malachi 3:8-12).
Now let us hear what the Lord said about money. Let us learn the principles He set out for us:

1: The matter of our giving (Mark 12:41).
A: Jesus cares about our giving.
He observes how we give – He sat near, opposite.
He knows how we give

B:God’s challenge in our giving.
The tithe (10%) is a yardstick.
Many don’t tithe. Three reasons for not tithing:
Many have never been taught to tithe (parents and pastor).
Many misunderstand the place of tithing in the Lord’s Kingdom.
Many simply refuse to obey the Lord.
If you refuse, you will pay a high price (James 4:17; Malachi 3:6-12).

C: God’s claim to our resources.
All the money (100%) belongs to God not just the 10%.

II: The measure of our giving (Mark 12:42-44).
Background: the temple treasury had 13 brass chests or trumpets. They made a loud noise depending on the amount. Each chest had an inscription declaring what the offering was for.

A:We are to give proportionally.
10% for everyone – the tithe is the Lord’s (Mal. 3:10; Lev. 27:30).
Tithe is not the Law, it began 430 years before Moses.
Tithe began before Abraham (Gen. 14:20).
Tithe was there even in the time of Abel (Gen. 4:4).
Tithe (first-fruits) is as old as humanity.

B: We are to give properly.
We are to bring tithe to the “storehouse” (Mal. 3:10), also called the “Lord’s house” which is the church where you are fed.
C:We are to give perpetually – regularly (1 Cor. 16:2).
The “first-fruit” of your increase makes the rest (90%) holy (Rom. 11:16).

III: The motive of our giving (Mark 12:41-44).
A: We should give thankfully.
A thankful heart is a giving heart.
Three types of givers: stony, spongy, honey comb.

B: We should give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7).

C:We should give liberally.
Do not be stingy when it comes to giving to God.
God will bless you according to your giving (Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6).
Everyone can afford to give the tithe. Anything less is theft and a curse (Mal. 3:10). Test God through your giving.
Many suffer from a disease called “cirrhosis of the giver.” The only cure is repentance and obedience to the Lord.

CONCLUSION:
Your money belongs to God. You will give an account to God about your money. If you refuse to give to God, then you love your money more than you love God. You cannot be right with God if you don’t tithe. Repent, return to God, and He will return to you (Mal. 3:7).