Giving and the 'T' Word
Giving Series
Justin Thomas
November 13, 2022

First! Principle

First

– Adam and Eve

First

– Abel and Cain Firstlings of Sheep vs. Leftover of Fruit

First

– Abram tithed before the Law.

First

– Passover night. Every firstborn son belongs to me.
- Abraham’s first son….Isaac.

First

– Jericho belonged to the Lord

7 Principles for offering the First Born, First Fruit, First Increase, First Reward:

  1. God said .
  2. Giving God first is an act of .
  3. Reconnects us to Him as our , not ourselves.
  4. Separates ‘stuff’ from our and .
  5. God can do with our first than we can.
  6. God gave His to redeem and restore us all. Jesus Christ!
  7. Giving God First is being like ….

Elijah and Widow - 1 Kings 17:10-16

Why would God send Elijah to a hurting widow when there were plenty of rich people around that could have easily provided for him?

Robert Morris says, “God did not send Elijah to the widow to

for Elijah – He sent Elijah to for the widow. Putting God first in our finances is not for God’s benefit, but for !”

The “T” Word! Tithing
Jesus - Luke 6:27 – 38 – Give, not to get, but if you give, you will receive.

Tithe – ‘Ma-sare’

Three Reasons Why Some People Don’t Tithe

1) DON’T


- Jesus says, “when you pray, when you fast, when you give”

2) DON’T

IN TITHING.

  • Maybe they give sometimes
  • Any theological defense(if any given) is ‘cousined’ with little generosity. Usually excuse, not a conviction.
    a. Reason: “It’s the law, and I don’t live under the law.” or “Jesus is my tithe!”

Question! How does a NC woman/man reconcile the requirements of the law to Israel?

Jesus and the Law:
• Jesus said in the beatitudes some interesting things. (Matthew 5-7):
- Anger is the new murder
- Lust is the new adultery
- Loving neighbor, not hating neighbor, etc.
- When asked about divorce, Jesus said this right was given because of the hardness of your heart.


Tithing was the Covenant Requirement of the Law to Israel, based on the Kingdom principle of first fruits. The law gave it

, consequences, and worship through finances. It provided for the Temple and the Priests.

• A large block of the Commandments is for

. God gave the law to slow down the effects of evil in the heart of man.
• Jesus fulfilled the law, and calls us into a Spirit empowered lifestyle of .
• Why would God require of us less under which empowers, than under the which condemned? Grace empowers!
• Where the law was meant to limit sin, and it’s damages because of the fall, the TRUTH (unhidden, full disclosure)and the GRACE (free empowerment), because of the new kingdom, new benefits, calls us into new .
• What do you do when the law is lifted? When the requirements aren’t there? Do we to the lowest common ? Hebrews 2:1-4

And Jesus said to the leaders and the crowds, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him. —Mark 12:17

Malachi 3 - Truths

• V. 7-9 – God

about how we use our money.
• V. 10 – Giving in the natural up the heavens.
• V. 11 – If God isn’t involved in your money, the will be.
• V. 12 - Nations

5 Reasons to Tithe (First Fruit Love Principle)

  1. Tithing God, and yourself. Obedience.
  2. Tithing says, “I not have done this you.” Put your money where your mouth is…
  3. Tithing puts God in the of our provision.
    • God, You can do more with the 90%, than the 100%
  4. Tithing gives you an inroad to have in finances. Whatever you have submitted to God, you have authority in. What you overcome leads to a crown (authority) Rev. 2-3.
  5. Tithing is giving your and to God. Kingdom Principle of First fruits.

3) CAN’T

IT: Want to tithe, but don’t. (Hebrews 5:14 – “through practice”, trying and failing and trying and succeeding)
a. - Did not know this earlier in life / young person / not a Christian, etc.
b. True – Can’t rub two pennies together.
c. has cornered you, and to tithe means you would really have to say no to things you are accustomed too. Lifestyle habits absorb your money.

Practical Steps into Prosperous Living

A. Give Him

- Let God’s goodness/generosity touch our connection with our income. Anger, Fear, Greed, Anxieties.

B. Give Him First, Not

C. Make a


1. Begin Now!
2. Tithe/Give by Faith - 10% Cold Turkey Obedience. 90-Day Challenge!
or
3. Tithe/Give by Faithfulness – Work towards first fruit giving with a timetable, which is asking God for increase as you FIRST decrease your lifestyle for His provision. 1-2 % a month to build up to 10%
• It’s unbiblical to ask for more if you don’t give what you do have. Parable of Talents. Test God!

God has invited you to His way of blessing you and others. Trust God and obey.