1.
The story is told of a circus athlete who earned
his living by displaying astonishing feats of physical strength.
His show would normally conclude with a simple, but impressive,
demonstration of his ability to squeeze an orange dry. After
completing this feat he would then challenge anyone in his
audience to step forward and squeeze just one drop of juice from
the crushed fruit.2. On one occasion a
little man volunteered. He was so small that his very appearance
raised a laugh from the audience. However, undaunted, the man
stepped onto the stage and took from the man the piece of fruit.
He then braced himself and slowly began to squeeze. Every eye
was on him, and the atmosphere was electric. No one had ever
been able to successfully perform this. The man sqeezed the
orange with ever ounce of his strength. Then, suddenly, to
everyone’s amazement, a drop of orange juice feel to the floor.
3. The crowd was ecstatic, and for 10 minutes
they gave a rousing ovation. After the cheers subsided, the
athlete called the man forward, asked him his name, and then
asked him, “Sir, how did you do it? No one has eer been able to
accomplish this. How did you squeeze that one-drop of juice from
that orange?” The midget of man replied, “There was nothing to
it. I happen to be the treasurer of the local Southern Baptist
church!”
1
4. The subject before us this morning deals
with an area that affects every one of us, and yet one that
prompts many Christians to immediately throw a red flag. The
subject is our money.
5. I have often wondered why it is that when
E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen. Yet, when the preacher
mentions money, everybody tunes him out; and, everyone concludes
that is the only thing the church, or the preacher, is
interested in: a person’s money. Thus, I am aware that I run the
risk of being very unpopular after today.
6. I am convinced, however, that the reason
there is so much misunderstanding over the subject is due to
many Christians who misinformed, ill-informed, and uninformed
about what the Bible has to say about the matter. It is the area
where many go astray because they have never properly been
taught the spiritual truths concerning the subject.
7. It’s interesting to note that during the
preaching ministry of the Lord Jesus, He went to great lengths
to speak of a man and how he secured his money, saved his money,
and spent his money. In fact, 16 of the 26 parables deal with
this very subject. A man and his money. Thus, I believe Richard
Jackson was right, when he said,
“More could be learned about a
person’s commitment to Christ by looking at their checkbooks
than their prayer books!” 2
8. As we continue our study, and as we seek to
put first things first, Solomon has something to say about the
matter as well. And, we seem to be reminded that, when it comes
to our money, if we will first honor the Lord, then He will
honor us. There are 3 wonderful truths contained in these verses
of our text, and I call your attention, first of all, to:
1. The Behavior God Regards For
His People!
1. In order to fully comprehend the truth, and
the impact of what is being said, we must observe the fact that
there is a certain type of behavior that God regards for us as
it relates to our money. First of all,
A. He Speaks of a Reliance On
God!
1. Notice verses 5-6, of this same chapter.
These are very familiar verses to us, but the truth of them ties
directly to the truth of verses 9-10.
5Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all
thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
2. The word “trust” is quite an
interesting word. The word literally means, “to lie facedown.”
It was used to describe a servant waiting for the master’s
command in readiness to obey. It was also used to depict a
defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.
3. Solomon is admonishing us that if we are to
follow the behavior that God regards for us, with our money,
then we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Lord. We
are to trust Him, and obey Him.
4. There is another key word in verse 5, and
it is the word “lean.” It literally means, “to
support oneself.” It literally describes self-reliance,
self-dependence, or self-sufficiency.
5. Thus, reminding us that when it comes to
the matters of life, especially our money, we are not to rely
upon ourselves. But, rather we are to lean upon God, trust Him,
and rely on Him.
6. I think of the great
actor, Hobart Bosworth. Near the end of his illustrious life, he
was asked the question, “What is the greatest thing a person can
have?” He replied,
“That is easy. It is not money,
because you cannot always hold on to it. It is not fame, because
they will cheer you one day, and sneer at you the next. But, if
you can have peace in your heart, that is the thing, that really
matters when all else is gone!” 3
7. I would say that Mr. Bosworth is exactly
right. If a person has peace in his heart, then he really has it
all. And, we can have that peace when we learn that we can
trust, depend, lean, and rely on the Lord, and know that “he
will direct our paths,” even in the area of our finances.
However, he not only speaks of a reliance on God; but,
B. He Speaks of a Reverence For
God!
1. Notice our text verse, verse 9.
9Honour the LORD with thy
substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.
2. The word “honour” speaks of a
“respect, reverence, or to hold something in sacred esteem.” The
word was used in connection with a dignitary whom many would
look up to in high regard.
3. Solomon is reminding us that, even in the
area of our finances, we are not only to have a reliance on God,
but a reverence for God. Our reverence for God is to be at such
a level, that in verse 6, he says,
6In all thy ways acknowledge
him
4. That is, in every area of life, we are to
acknowledge Him, honour Him, and revere Him. We are to revere
Him with our money. We are to revere Him with our businesses. We
are to revere Him with our portfolios. In every matter of life,
He is to be honored, and revered.
5. You see money matters to us because
we need it. Money matters to the devil because he
wants it. But, money matters to God because He
gives it. Thus, when we are faithful to do with our
money as He has asked us to do, then we are honoring, and
revering Him with it.
6. I believe Derek Kinder put it well, when he
said,
“To know God in our financial
ways is to see that we honor Him with our financial ways!”4
7. Ladies and gentlemen, I will be very honest
with you. I would rather rob the First National Bank than to rob
God. Yet, when we fail to honor Him with our money, that is
exactly what we have done. When we fail to rely on Him, and have
reverence for Him, we not only fail to behave in the right
manner, but ultimately, we are robbing God.
1. THE BEHAVIOR THAT GOD REGARDS FOR HIS
PEOPLE!
2. The Business that God
Requires Of His People!
1. The business that God requires of us, His
people, is a very pointed, practical, and pragmatic matter.
Solomon reminds us that God is to have a specific place in our
living, and our giving. In fact, he outlines that:
A. God is to Have the
Preeminence in our Living!
1. Notice, again, verse 9.
9Honour the LORD with thy
substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.
2. God is to have the preeminent place in our
living. The word “substance” is used to speak of
“one’s possessions.” It is used in a general sense, thus dealing
with every area of our life. It refers to our possessions as a
whole. It deals with everything we possess, that is our
substance. It all belongs to God, and He is to have the
preeminence in our living.
3. A great misunderstanding has arisen
concerning money, and particularly the “tithe”
that God requires. The word “tithe” simply means
“a tenth.” However, many fail to move past the word itself, and
thus miss the implication of the word.
4. Many preachers have suggested that God
demands only one-tenth of our income, and one-seventh of our
week. This implies that the other nine-tenths of our income, and
the other six days of our week are ours to do with as we please.
5. But, the fact of the matter is that
everything we have belongs to God. Not just the tenth, but
everything. Not just Sunday, but everyday. It all belongs to
Him.
6. We are simply “stewards” of everything God
has given to us. The idea of the word “steward” is to be a
“manager.” It has nothing to do with ownership, but stewardship.
We are simply to manage what belongs to God. Be it our time, our
talent, our tithe, our treasures, or our tools, it is all His.
He is the rightful owner.
7. The fact of the matter is that 50 years ago
what we have today belonged to someone else. And, 50 years from
now everything we have will belong to someone else.
8. When we came into this world we were naked,
without a dime to our name. And, we will exit this world in the
same manner. We do not own a thing. We are merely managers of
the things God has given to us. Thus, in everything we
accumulate, we assimilate, or we allocate; it all belongs to
God, and He is to have the preeminence in our living. But, God
is not only to have the preeminence in our living; but:
B. God is to Have the Priority
in Our Giving!
1. Notice again verse 9. Particularly the word
for our study, the word,
“FIRST-fruits.”
9Honour the LORD with thy
substance, and with the FIRST FRUITS of all thine increase.
2. The word “first fruits” not
only reminds us that God is to have the preeminence in our
living, but He is to have the priority in our giving.
3. The word “first fruits” is a
reference to a law that was established in Deuteronomy 26: 2.
The law stated,
2That thou shalt take of the
first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of
thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in
a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God
shall choose to place his name there.
4. This is the law of the First fruits, and it
outlines what God requires of us, in regards to our finances. In
everything we possess, God is to receive the “first
fruits” of it all.
5. The word brings into picture the idea of
the tithe. Again, the word “tithe” means “one-tenth.” It speaks
of the first tenth. The tithe is not based upon what is left
over, but rather that which comes straight off of the top. The
tithe is the “first fruit.”
6. The Internal Revenue
Service, everyone’s favorite governmental institution, has
recently revealed that the average church member contributes
1.7% of their total income to their local church. Much of which
comes at the end of the year to enhance a bigger, better tax
benefit.
7. Newsweek recently
gathered information, in a survey, and revealed the findings
that if every church member were suddenly placed on welfare, and
they gave the tithe of their average welfare payment to the
church, the tithe would increase 35%! 5
8. Down through history, students of Church
history, tell us that tithing has been practiced widely in the
Christian church since the New Testament days.
In fact we are told that the tithe was
recognized in England as early as A. D. 786, and tithing was a
common practice during the reigns of Edgar, Alfred and Canute.
The Council of Trent (1545) not only enjoined the payment of
tithes, but also went so far as to excommunicate those who
refused to pay, and withheld their tithe. 6
9. I have heard many excuses that people give
not to tithe for a number of years. But, one of the most common
objections to tithing is for someone to say, “Tithing was given
under the law, and we are no longer under the law, but under
grace.” While that is the truth, it is not the whole truth.
10. You will remember in Genesis 14: 20, Abram
paid tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem. In Genesis 28: 22,
Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, paid tithes to the Lord. However,
this was 400 years before the law was ever given. Moses later
instituted the law, making tithing a universal command.
11. The next common rebuttal is, “Well, that’s
in the Old Testament. The tithe is not mentioned in the New
Testament.” However, in Matthew 23: 23, Jesus condemned the
Pharisees for their abuse of the tithe. Thus, Jesus did not
abolish the tithe, He approved the tithe.
12. Therefore, if Abraham commenced the tithe,
Jacob continued the tithe, Moses commanded the tithe, and Jesus
commended the tithe, who am I to cancel the tithe? And, while we
are under grace, we are also above the law. And, why would any
Christian do less under grace than a Jew would do under the law?
13. While many would never think of not paying
their bills, or taxes on time, there are many, week after week,
who fail to give God the thing that belongs to Him. The tithe,
and the “first fruits” belongs to the Lord. This
is what God desires, what God demands, and may I say, what God
deserves. He deserves our best, and the “first fruits”
are our best.
1. THE BEHAVIOR GOD REGARDS FOR HIS PEOPLE!
2. THE BUSINESS GOD REQUIRES OF HIS PEOPLE!
3. The Blessing God Reveals To
His People!
1. Solomon concludes his discussion of this
matter by reminding us that if we will participate in the
behavior that God regards for us, and the business that God
requires of us, we will enjoy the blessing that God will reveal
to us. It is a two-fold blessing. One, there will be:
A. An Enhancement of our
Present Possessions!
1. The first part of the blessing God reveals
to His people who obey Him is He will enhance what we already
possess. Notice verse 9-10.
9Honour the LORD with thy
substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: 10So
shall thy barns be filled with plenty
2. The phrase in verse 10 is an agricultural
phrase. It depicts a farmer whose barns have been filled with a
bountiful, beautiful harvest from his field.
3. Again, the idea is the Law of the First
fruits, where God demanded that the first of every crop, fruit,
or harvest belonged to Him. Thus, the result of the one who
obeyed God, and gave God what He demanded and deserved, was that
what they already possessed would be blessed. Their barns would
be filled with plenty. That which would fill their barns would
receive the blessings of God.
4. God revealed the same principle to the
prophet Malachi, in Malachi 3: 11. After His demand for the
tithe was obeyed, God declared His blessing.
I will rebuke the devourer for
your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the
field, saith the LORD of hosts.
5. The principle is clear, and simple. When
His precepts are obeyed, His people will be blessed. When we
give to God what rightfully belongs to God, He will enhance what
we already hold in our hand. However, he not only reveals the
blessing of an enhancement of our present possessions, but:
B. An Enrichment of our Future
Possessions!
1. This wonderful blessing God has in store
for those who honor Him, and obey Him with their money,
concludes in the last part of verse 10.
10So shall thy barns be filled
with plenty, and thy presses shall
burst out with new wine.
2. The phrase “new wine” speaks
to that which has yet to come into our possession. It is
something that will come in the future. It is that which we have
yet to possess.
3. Thus, the truth is that if we will give to
God what rightfully belongs to God, He will not only enhance
what we already possess, but He will enrich what we will one-day
possess. Our present, as well as our future will be blessed of
God.
4. John Bunyan once said,
“There was a man; some called
him mad, the more he gave, the more he had!”
5. Our tithes are not payments for blessings
but evidence of our faith and obedience. Giving is simply heart
preparation for what God wants to say to us, and do for us. It
is one of God’s measuring sticks to measure our love for Him.
Thus, if we will first honor Him, He will honor us.
6. The impact of this blessing is again seen
in what God declared to Malachi, in Malachi 3: 10.
10Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove
me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it.
7. The phrase “open the windows of
heaven” is used only one other time in Scripture. It is
found in Genesis 7: 11, in reference to the flood.
11In the six
hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the
seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the
fountains of the great deep broken up, and the
windows of heaven were opened.
8. The same expression is used to unveil what
God will do if we are faithful to honor Him with our finances.
As He did with the rain that covered the whole earth, He will do
with the blessings that will be poured out upon us. He will open
up the windows of heaven.
9. There is not a one of us who do not want to
receive the blessings of God when it comes to our finances.
However, we must not forget that there is another side to the
blessing; there is a cursing as well. If we give, He will indeed
enhance what we do have, and enrich what we don’t have. But, if
we fail to honor Him, He will curse not only what we failed to
give, but also everything that we possess. God described it by
saying, that when we fail to give Him what belongs to Him, we
rob Him, and as a result,
9Ye are cursed with a curse:
for ye have robbed me.
10. Thus, I encourage you to put God first.
First honor Him and He’ll honor you. Put God first in your
living. First honor Him and He’ll honor you. Put God first in
your giving. First honor and He’ll honor you. God will be
pleased, and you will be prospered.
11. I think of the story
that is told of an old farmer who was known for his generosity.
He was a very giving man, and his friends could not understand
how he could give so much away and yet remain so prosperous. One
day, they confronted him, and asked him about the matter. They
said,
“We cannot understand you. You
give far more than the rest of us, and yet you always seem to
have more to give!”
12. The simple old
farmer replied,
“It’s very simple. I keep
shoveling into God’s bin, and God keeps shoveling into my bin.
But, I have found that God has the bigger shovel!”
13. For several years I have tried to
encourage people to give to the Lord and His work. But, a few
years ago, God opened my eyes to the Bible truth about money.
That is, if God has a person’s heart, then He will have
everything that they possess. Thus, your giving is not a wallet
matter, it is a heart matter. If your heart is right with God,
you will have no problem in being a giver, and obeying God.
14. You may have some past experience with a
church, or a preacher, that has put a sour taste in your mouth
over the subject of money. But, friend, you are not giving to
the church, or the preacher; ultimately, you are giving to God
and God alone. If you will first honor Him, I promise you, that
He will honor you. And, you will find out that God has the
bigger shovel!