robbing God …testing God

the tithe

• tithe = 1/10th• 5-7% of people in U.S. tithe • 80% of Americans give 2% • Christians … 2.5%; GD … 3.3%• 10-25% of avg. congregation • 9% of “born again” …1/10th

• 77% of “tithers” give 11%–20% & more of income

the tithe

• avg. giving (Protestant churches)…$17• weekly attend. (Evangelical)…37% = 0• 7 of 10 tithers…gross not net.• People more likely to tithe when

they begin in their teens, early 20s

Malachi 3:8-12

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 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

Malachi 3:8-12

windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

PRINCIPLE #1

Robbing God Robs Community.

Psalm 24:1

A Psalm of David.The earth is the LORD's

and the fullness thereof,the world

and those who dwell therein.

PRINCIPLE #1

Robbing God Robs Community.

PRINCIPLE #2

Restoring the HeartRestores the Offering.

PRINCIPLE #1

Robbing God Robs Community.

PRINCIPLE #2

Restoring the HeartRestores the Offering.

PRINCIPLE #3

Being Blessed Blesses Others.

Luke 6:38

“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.”

God releases the heart …the heart releases

the resources.