SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1260

“Bring”

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. – Malachi 3:10

I confess that there was a time early in my Christian walk when I would bristle and chafe whenever our Pastor brought up the subject of money. Perhaps you can relate. Why do we feel that way? We feel that way because of the idolatry of mammon.

Our Christian walk should be one of spiritual growth and understanding as we are sanctified through a personal relationship with Jesus.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

The first thing we must come to terms with is the acknowledgement of our sin of idolatry.

It is through this spiritual growth in sanctification that the Holy Spirit reveals to us that money and possessions have become an idol in our life in which we have placed more trust than we have in the Lord. That is why we want to hang onto it so tightly like a toddler gripping a toy saying ‘mine’.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15

The second step in growth is the understanding that nothing, absolutely nothing, is ours to possess.

Our physical bodies and all the trappings of this world that we refer to as our possessions are not ours – they are gifts and blessings from God. We are stewards of what He has provided us. We err when we say ‘mine’ and run the risk of these trappings trapping us.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money. – Matthew 6:24

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? – Luke 12:42

The logical third step in understanding is that everything in Heaven and Earth belongs to God, not us.

Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. – Leviticus 27:30

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. – Deuteronomy 10:14

There are three facets to our stewardship of God’s provision: Receive, Bring, and Give.

Receive: We have received all from God and we understand that we are to be faithful stewards of His provision to meet our needs as well as the needs of others as He directs.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32

Give: The classic definition is to freely transfer the possession of something to someone. The operative word is freely. These are the offerings we give from the provisions God has given us to meet our needs. These are separate and distinct from the tithe.

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. – Proverbs 28:22

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver… – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? – 1 John 3:17

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16

Bring: The classic definition is to convey, lead or carry. I love that God’s Word does not say to ‘give’ the tithe but rather that we are to ‘bring’ it as faithful stewards of the portion of His provision that is set apart as holy unto the Lord.

Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe – Hebrews 12:28

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; – Proverbs 3:9

Our tithes and offerings are acts of worship and love. Bringing the full tithe equips the church body to serve and minister the love of Jesus in this world. Offerings freely given selflessly share what God has provided for our needs to help meet the needs of others. These offerings can be the giving of our time to serve as well as sharing material goods.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: – 1 Peter 4:10