Robbers in the Church

"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."(Malachi 3:8) Christians need to examine their giving to see if it aligns with God's pattern set forth in the Scriptures.

Statistics:

1/3 give $0 to church

1/3 give under $500 yearly

1/3 give over $500

In a larger church, 1/2 are likely giving $0.

Only 7% of Christians give 10% or more.

66%-75% of churchgoers give $0 or less than $500.

4% of Americans practice tithing,

I. Examples of Tithing in the OT

• The Tithe Before the Law: Voluntary Tithe of 10%

• The Law of the Tithe: Approximately 25% (Levites, Festival, and Welfare Tithes)

II. Principles of Giving in the NT

• Give Personally – “each one”
• Give Regularly – “the first day of the week”
• Give Proportionately – “as he may prosper”
• Give Generously – “sow generously/reap generously”
• Give Purposefully – “purposed in heart”
• Give Willingly – “not grudgingly or under pressure”
• Give Cheerfully – “God loves a cheerful giver”

III. The Examination of Your Giving

• Every Christian should tithe to the local church. Ten percent is the starting point.
• Christian should give regularly, proportionately, generously, purposefully, willingly, and cheerfully to the local church.
• To fail to give your tithe is to rob God!