Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Matthew 7:7

Nearly 60% of all marriages fail.  The number one reason for these failures is money problems.  Let's face it, we live in a material world.  We want what we want when we want it.  This attitude can lead to spending outside our means, which can in turn result in conflict with your spouse.  I truly believe that money is one of Satan's most effective tools against Christians.  Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

As believers in Christ, we are considered His bride, the Church.  Just as with earthly marriages, our heavenly marriage has a big issue with money.  We call this "money", tithes and offerings.  People tend to stay away from Church or despise Christians because either (1) they view them as hypocrites or (2) they see churches as money grubbers.  Money, money, money, oh what trouble it can cause.  Before we get into the Scripture tonight, let's define "tithes and offerings."

Merriam Webster defines tithe as "to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of the church."  Tithe in the Old English is teogopa or tenth.  In the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, tithe is used 37 times (only five times in the New Testament).  The Hebrew word for "tithe" is maaser which means a tenth part.  The Greek word is apodekatoo, take off (deduct) a tenth part (of my property) (and give it away).

Merriam Webster defines offering as "something offered; especially a sacrifice ceremonially offered as part of worship."  Offering is the noun form of the verb, offer, which from the Old English, ofrian, to bring an oblation, religious gift.  It also has roots in the Latin word, offerre, bring before in worship.  In the NKJV of the Bible, offering is used 710 times (only 17 times in the New Testament). The Hebrew word is terumah which means a contribution, offering (for sacred uses).  The Greek word is prosphora, that which is offered, a gift, a present.

Typically, the Church defines a tithe as the minimum requirement of a believer.  The offering is what a believer gives above the tithe.  Looking into the Hebrew for tithe, the minimum is a tenth part of something.  In our case, a tenth of our money.  The offering is the gift given above this requirement.

Using the F.L.O.C.K. acrostic, we will pray for the "O", offering, for the Church, but why is an offering important beyond just paying the pastors salaries, maintenance on the church facilities, and helping the poor and needy?  Let's examine Malachi 3:10.

The book of Malachi was written before the 400 years of silence from God's prophets.  The silence was broken by the forerunner to Christ, John the Baptist. It is unknown if the author's name was Malachi or if it was the author's title.  Malachi means messenger in Hebrew. The time that the book was written was when Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem for the second time.  After repairing the city  walls, he went back to Babylon to serve the Persian king.  During the time the walls were being repaired, the Isrealites obeyed God. However, Isreal had rebeled against God while Nehemiah was away. They didn't tithe, married foreign women, ignored the Sabbath, and the priests had become consumed with worldly things.

Malachi delivered his message when the people of Israel were indifferent toward God.  The Isrealites doubted God’s love and failed to respond to it. Their apathy was demonstrated by their lack of giving.  In verse 10, God calls His people to fetch the entire tenth of their provision into His treasury so there will be food in His temple, so He can bless them beyond measure.  Asking for the tithe is about more than worldly wealth.  God does not need our money, but desires our obedience.  Holding back this money, the Isealites were disobeying God's command.  Therefore, they missed out in God's blessing.  BE OBEDIENT.

Let's turn to Phillipians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." In writing to the church at Phillipi, Paul thanks them for their giving to his ministry.  Paul encourages them by saying that God shall pléroó (same root word as plethera) or amply supply your need according to His ploútos, much in number, quantity, abundance of possessions of many riches in infinite, intrinsic worth, glorious splendor having weight, value in the realm (sphere) of Christ Jesus. God will reward them for their generosity, not simply giving them back what they’ve given, but blessing them based on the abundant riches of Christ. Generosity enables us to trust the Lord for our needs, instead of selfishly holding onto our money and trusting that it will meet our needs. BE GENEROUS.

In Matthew 7:7, we turn to listen to Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount."  In this portion, Jesus tells us to continually, with every breath ask (petition, make or present a formal request to an authority with respect) God, and it (what you have asked for as part of God's plan) will be given (granted, offered) to you; continually, with every breath seek (inquire, investigate until found), and you will find (what you seek); continually knock, with every breath (request admittance), and it (admittance to God) will be opened to you.  God cares for us, but this is not a calling for luxurious, opulent living for every desire of the heart.  God will provide what we need as part of His plan, to advance His kingdom.  Jesus is inviting us to trust our heavenly Father to look after us.

In John 15:16, Jesus says "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."  1 John 5:14 - 15 , "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." HAVE FAITH.

Having faith in God for your needs is demonstrated by your obedient generosity to His work.  How much you give is related to how much faith and obedience you have.  Do not give out of guilt or a prosperity gospel.  Give because of what has been given to you.  Christ died for your sins.  He took our penalty, because the judgement for sin is death and eternal separation from God.  All He asks is that we believe in Him, that we repent-turn away from our sin, and obey His commandments.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

God doesn't need your money.  Don't be upset how it is spent. That is not your job.  Demonstrate your faith and obey, so His kingdom will be advanced.  "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9