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MALACHI 3: 8-11

"PROVIDING GOD"

Intro: First sermon from this text or on this subject very sensitive.
       "Church is a money  grabber," "All they talk about is money." If
       you are new today or hold that  concept, I hope you put nothing
       into the offering and if you did please don't ever  do it again.
       Giving is the privilege of the believer. Passed over this text
       again, but God spoke to me about it. I was robbing the people of
       the blessing from  God.

I. "WILL A MAN ROB GOD?"
        A. Will a man rob a bank?
                1. The thought of robbing a bank is shocking.
                2. Some who are shocked at idea of robbing bank. Yet turn
                   around and rob God.
        B. How can a man rob God?
                1. By taking from Him and giving nothing in return.
                        a. What do you owe God? Life, health, strength,
                           "every good and perfect..."
                        b. What have you given in return?
                2. "In tithes and offerings."
                        a. Tithe means 10%.
                        b. First mention Abraham, Jacob entered into a
                           covenant.

II. GIVING TO GOD IS A PRIVILEGE.
        A. God doesn't need your money.
                1. God is not poor of broke.
                2. He created all the gold we have on earth.
                        a. Perhaps He has created solid gold planets.
                        b. At least He could.
                3. Idea that God needs it is foolish.
        B. God is giving you an opportunity to invest, in His kingdom.
                1. The investment that pays you after you're dead and its
                   dividends are never taxable.
        C. How blessed of God to grant us this privilege.

III. GOD'S CHALLENGE TO PROVE HIM.
        A. Only place in all of scripture is challenge made.
                1. In certain things it is wrong to try to prove God.
                        a. Satan took Christ to pinnacle of temple.
                        b. "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
                2. Here God says, "prove me."
        B. This is only realm we are to seek to prove Him.

IV. TITHING IS IN THE LAW, WE ARE UNDER GRACE.
        A. Tithing is a law like gravity.
                1. You don't jump from an airplane.
                2. "Give and it shall be given unto you."
                3. He that soweth sparingly."
        B. N.T. method of giving?
                1. "And if any and ought or possessions they went out and
                   sold it and brought the price and laid it at the
                   Apostle's feet."

V. THE PROMISED BLESSING.
        A. "Pour out a blessing."
        B. Rebuke the devoured.
                1. Not destroy fruits of your ground.
                2. Vine not cast fruit before time.