Sunday, March 30th 2008
Dear folks,
This Sunday we are returning to Malachi to study the next question: “Will a man rob God?” God calls His sinful people to repent (return) and He will return to them
Money reveals more than we want to know about our theology. Malachi 3:6-12 recounts the unfaithfulness of Israel, especially seen in the withholding of tithes due to the Lord. How we spend our money is concrete evidence of where our hearts are before the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8-9, contain the normative principles of New Testament giving. As you read these over see if you can discover these principles for yourself. If you have a concordance, look up the NT references to the tithe, I think you will be surprised.
It is an honor to give generously to the Lord since all we have comes from His gracious hand. What do we have that we have not received? Have we acquired our possessions independent of the Lord? 1 Timothy 6 sums up what our attitude must be toward money: 6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
May the Lord give us understanding in His Word as we discover God’s principles for giving not only our money but ourselves to His work.
See you Sunday,
Lee