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Larger than Life! #3

Living larger than life means being generous toward God.

Luke 12:13-21

It’s a foolish thing to store up treasure for yourself at the expense of being rich toward God.

It’s not wrong to build a bigger barn - it’s just wrong to do that at the expense of others and God.

John 12:1-8

Mary poured out the equivalent to one year’s wages on the feet of Jesus.  It was an extravagant act of worship and devotion.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have aimed billions at the world’s poor.  Bono has worked hard to raise awareness to Africa’s plight.  The church has grown considerably in its approach to alleviating the needs of others.

God has a heart for the poor and He wants us to share His heart.  But don’t get stuck in the trap of only being generous toward the poor and people in need.  Jesus said you will always have the poor with you.

Being rich toward God is a matter of the heart.

Malachi 3:7-12

What an amazing promise:  Honor God with the tithe, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that cannot be contained. 

He will rebuke the devourer for you, your field will flourish, all nations will call you blessed, you shall be a delightful land.  Overflowing blessing:  Sounds like a great life!

There are so many things vying for your resources:  mortgage, car, food, clothes, hobbies, savings, gas, insurance, cell phone…  Put God at the front of this list – give Him your first and best – and the rest is blessed.  Put God at the end of this list – rob Him of your tithe – and the rest is cursed. 

Let me give you 9 reasons why I pay tithe: 

1. It honors God!

Proverbs 3:9-10

This is the principle of first things.  By giving Him my first & best, God does not get my leftovers. 

2. It plants a seed for the future!

When I plant my best seed, I'm creating my best future!

3. It is a "trust-in-God" move.

Have you seen the bumper sticker “If you love Jesus, tithe – anybody can honk!”  Tithing is a very tangible way to exhibit trust.

4. It is a matter of the heart.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  
– Matthew 6:21

It's not about the money - it's totally about the heart.

5. It breaks curse and releases blessing.

90% blessed is better than 100% cursed.

6. It is God's method for providing resources for His house.

Jesus loves the church.  I love the church.  The church is bringing heaven to earth!  It takes resources for the church to fulfill this mission! 

7. Because I know my life has an impact on those around me.

Ask the people on the boat with Jonah if other’s lives – whether blessed or cursed - can impact you.

8. It opens the windows of heaven.

There’s only one thing the Bible promises will open the windows of heaven – it’s not prayer, it’s not worship.  Although those are good things, only tithe releases resources!

9. Because it's God's idea.

Man nor church came up with this idea – tithing is God’s idea!

Start tithing – from now until the end of this year.  God says “test Me in this, and see if I won’t…” 

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

There is a river flowing from the throne of God.  I want to invite you into the flow of that river!  Let’s live LARGER than life!