The Foundation for Supernatural Living
Malachi 3:6-12
Pastor Dan, P.O. Box 496, Mulberry, FL 33860 email: turp72@aol.com
Objective Sentence: Everyone should tithe and give to the Lord because the principles associated with giving prepare the way for supernatural living. Aim: The aim of this message is to challenge people to live a supernatural life by giving them reasons to give.

Introduction: To be led by your Spirit…

Your Money Counts; Howard Dayton: Our checkbooks tell us more about our priorities than does anything else. It tells of our values, how much we save, what we spend, to whom we give. That’s why Jesus talked so much about money. Sixteen of the 38 parables were concerned with how to handle money and possessions. Indeed, Jesus Christ said more about money than about almost any other subject. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,350 verses on money and possessions. The Lord said a lot about it because He wants us to know His perspective on this critical area of life. He dealt with money matters because money does matter.

#1. Bring the tithe into the storehouse (Malachi 3:9 Bring tithes)

A. Norman Robertson: The tithe is always ten-percent. Leviticus 27:30 says, “And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, or whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.” It is easy to prove from God’s Word that the tithe is exactly ten percent. We can prove this percentage in two ways. First the Hebrew and Greek words translated in the Bible as tithe literally means the tenth. Secondly we can establish this by comparing two verses of Scripture. They both speak of the same event: Melchizedek’s meeting with Abraham— Genesis 14:20 And Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe of all. Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man Melchizedek was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. Notice the Genesis account, the word the writer translated as tithe is describing the things Abraham gave to Melchizedek. When the Hebrew account uses it, the word tenth is speaking of those same things. It is important to realize the tithe isn’t an optional amount of money. It is a specific amount. God’s Word plainly states the tithe is ten percent of all the increase you receive. The tithe is always ten percent of your increase.

1. Giving is an essential part of worship (Deuteronomy 14:22-23)
a. Richard Halverson: Jesus Christ said more about money than any other single thing because money is of first importance when it comes to a person’s real nature. Money is an exact index to our true character. Throughout Scripture we find an intimate correlation between the development of a person’s character and how he or she handles money.
b. Matthew 23:23 Jesus said we should tithe
c. Norman Robertson; Tithing: Our money is an essential part of worship. When we give it to God, we are giving an important part of ourselves. We are giving our skills, our talents, our time, and our strength. Our attitude towards money reveals our attitude towards God. We have a choice between God and money. We must serve one or the other.
d. Galatians 6:6-8 Whatever a man sows…
e. Ralph Waldo Emerson: It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.
f. Your Money Counts; Howard Dayton: In Luke 16:11 we read, “If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” In this verse Jesus equates how we handle our money with the quality of our spiritual life. If we handle our money properly according to the principles of Scripture, our fellowship with Christ will grow stronger. However, if we manage money unfaithfully, our fellowship with Him will suffer.
g. Proverbs 22:4; Isaiah 48:17
h. Proverbs 10:22 The Blessing of the Lord makes rich

"Go give to the needy sweet charity's bread—For giving is living," the angel said.
"And must I be giving again and again?"—My peevish, petulant answer ran.
"Oh, no," said the angel, piercing me through—just give till the Master stops giving to you."

2. Give God your best (Malachi 1:6-8 Give your best)
a. Psalm 84:11 No good thing will He withhold from those who walk upright
b. Psalm 68:19 God daily loads us with benefits
c. Proverbs 11:24-25 One scatters and yet increases
d. Isaiah 48:17 The Lord teaches you to profit

#2. Tithing opens the windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10-12)

A. Napoleon Hill: The Law of Compensation ensures that everything you do will bring you some sort of result of the same kind. To benefit from this, you must always render the most service you are capable of, with the best attitude….

1. God provides supernaturally for givers (Luke 6:38 give)
a. Oral Roberts; Miracle of Seed Faith: Jesus taught the principle of giving and sowing and reaping in Luke 6:38. The implication is that it is more productive to give than to receive because what we receive is not multiplied back into our lives, only what we give. The seeds we receive and eat and keep in our hand do not reproduce until we give them to the ground from where they came.
b. Malachi 3:10 Pastor Dan: Giving opens the windows of God’s supply. If we fail to give than the supernatural element that God seeks to work in our lives remains closed to His influence. If we fail to invest or give our tithe into the Kingdom of God the windows of His supernatural supply will remain closed to you.
c. Psalm 35:27 God takes pleasure in prospering people
d. 3 John 2 Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your souls prospers
e. Deuteronomy 8:11-18 God gives you the power to get wealth
f. Oral Roberts; Miracle of Seed Faith: We live in a people-run society and business community, and it is easy to get the idea that people are the source of your supply. This is where you miss the truth of God’s Holy Word. God often uses people as the means but God Himself is the Source of your supply. All other sources are instruments only. The number of possible channels through which God works is unlimited but there is only one source.
g. Philippians 4:19; Psalm 37:4, 9-10

2. God is serious about keeping His promises
a. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises in (Christ) are yes
b. Deuteronomy 29:9 Keep the words of this covenant (contract, agreement, pledge, promise), so that you may prosper in all you do.
c. Isaiah 55:11 God’s Word will not return to him void
d. 1 Chronicles 22:12-13 Keep the law and prosper
e. Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.

#.3 Tithing gives us Supernatural protection (Malachi 3:11)

A. David McConaughy; Money, the Acid Test: Money, most common of temporal things, involves uncommon and eternal consequences. Even though it may be done quite unconsciously, money molds people—in the process of getting it, of saving it, of using it, of giving it, of accounting for it. Depending upon how it is handled, it proves a ble4ssing or a curse to its possessor; either the person becomes master of the money, or the money become master of the person. Our Lord takes money, the thing that, essential though it is to our common life, sometimes seems so sordid, and he makes it a touchstone to test the lives of people and an instrument for molding them into the likeness of himself.

1. No weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)
a. Pastor Dan: Isaiah 59:19 God’s Spirit raises a standard of protection in our lives against Satan when we obey the commandments of the Lord and give
b. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Blessing or curse
c. Genesis 28:20 Jacob vows to give God 10% and the Lord blesses his life and prospers him. Jacob lies down with his head on a stone symbolizing the hardship of life on your own. He returns to Israel abundance which symbolizes the fact that God's way pays.
d. Psalm 1:1-6 Be like a tree planted by rivers of water
e. Psalms 112:1-5 Generational blessing of riches and prosperity
f. Joshua 1:8 Make your way prosperous and have good successe.

2. God gives His angels charge over us when we give
a. John Bunyun: There was a man they called him mad; the more gave, the more he had.” The world says you must spend money to make money and God says you must give money to get money.
b. Psalm 91:11-16
c. Your Money Counts; Howard Dayton: Possessions are a primary competitor with Christ for lordship of our lives. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:24 that we must choose to serve only one of these two masters, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” It is impossible for us to serve money—even in a small way—and still serve the Lord. When the Crusades were being fought during the 12th century, the crusaders employed mercenaries to fight on their behalf. Because it was a religious war, the crusaders insisted that the mercenaries be baptized before fighting. As they were being baptized, the mercenaries would hold their swords out of the water to symbolize the one thing in their lives that Jesus Christ did not control. They had the freedom to use the swords in any way they wished. Today many people handle money in a similar fashion.
d. Luke 10:19
e. Pastor Dan: Caring for you and meeting your needs is important to God. You need to give to God and God needs to give to you.
f. Luke 12:6-8, 22-32 (Hair, ravens lilies, grass)

#4. Tithing causes us to be a Supernatural witness (Malachi 3:12 all nations will call you blessed)

A. Tan Huma; Rabbinic Literature: If you give to charity while you are poor, you will eventually give in days of wealth. If you do not give while you are rich, you will eventually abstain from giving because of poverty. God has willed that there be two hands in the matter of charity -- one that gives and one that receives. Thank God that yours is the hand that gives. Say not, "I will miss what I give." Be like the sheep who give their wool and have no less the next year because they have given.

1. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-10)
a. Pastor Dan: As we become proficient in the basics that govern our walk with God He will supernaturally manifest His blessings in our lives for people to see. God’s light shining on us be a witness to God’s blessing and power of God. People (all nations) will call you blessed.
b. Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
c. Titus 3:14 meet urgent needs
d. Hugh Martin: If a man's religion does not affect his use of money, that man's religion is vain.
e. John 15:4 I am the vine you are the branches
f. Galatians 6:7-9 We will reap God’s good blessing in due season
2. When you give the power of God will produce good in your life
a. Milo Kauffman; The Challenge of Stewardship: Stewardship of possessions is the effect of God's saving grace upon one's self and his property. When God gets a man with a car He gets a car to be used in His service. Some seem to think of stewardship as a whip or as legal action to drive people to give to the expenses of the church. No doubt too often the attempt has been made to wring generous offerings from selfish souls. Christian stewardship most certainly is not church legislation nor a scheme to deprive men of their cash. It is the natural consequence of an experience with God -- the natural reaction of the human heart that has been touched by the divine spirit.
b. Acts 1:8 You will the power to witness through giving.
c. John 21:15 Oswald Chambers: Feed my lambs. As we give of ourselves to God by identifying with His interest in people; He will give of Himself into our lives and supernaturally manifest His interest in us.
d. Matthew 5:14-16 They may see your good works and glorify God
e. Matthew 6:19-20 When you invest in the Kingdom you will watch over your investment with your life

#5. Supernatural happiness (Malachi 3:12 you will be a delightsome land)

A. Richard J. Foster; Money, Sex and Power: Giving with glad and generous hearts has a way of routing out the tough old miser within us. Even the poor need to know that they can give. Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon of greed.

1. Blessings accompany giving (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
a. 3 John 2 Beloved I wish above all things
b. Acts 20:35 And remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is better to give than receive because God blesses and multiplies back into our lives only what we give, not that which we receive.
c. Philippians 4:6-8
d. Acts 5:41 Pastor Dan: Even when we are going through trouble and difficulty we will experience joy and peace because we are obedient to God’s Word and generous with ourselves. The Pharisees called for the apostles and beaten them, then the disciples departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name
e. Pastor Dan: Job lost everything in his stand for righteousness but God restored it all back doubling it, because Job stood the test of difficulty without forsaking his faith
f. Isaiah 49:15-16 Written in the palm of His hand
g. Jeremiah 29:10-11 Thoughts of peace and not of evil

Closing:

Paying my school bill—Johnnie’s doctor bill

Bob Hope: If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.
John Wesley: I fear, wherever riches have increased (exceeding few are the exceptions), the essence of religion, the mind that was in Christ has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore I do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any revival of true religion to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and frugality; and these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase, so will pride, anger, and love of the world in all its branches. What way then can we take that our money may not sink us to the nethermost hell? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If those who "gain all they can," and "save all they can," will likewise "give all they can," then the more they gain, the more they will grow in grace, and the more treasure they will lay up in heaven.
Author Unknown: A church member was having trouble with the concept of tithing so one day he revealed his doubts to his Pastor saying, “Pastor, I just don’t see how I can give 10 percent of my income to the church when I can’t even keep on top of my bills now.” The Pastor replied, “John, if I promise to make up the difference in your bills if you should fall short, do you think you could try tithing for just one month. John paused a moment and responded, “Sure, if you promise to make up any shortage, I guess I could try tithing for one month. “John, it amazes me that you’d be willing to put your trust in me, a mere man, who possesses so little materially, but you cannot trust your heavenly Father who owns the whole universe to take care of you.”