11-14-21 | Open Heaven
OPEN HEAVEN
Genesis 28:22b – “And of all that You give me, I will surely give a tenth to You.”
On June 1, 1902, Mr. Kerr made a special covenant to set aside the tithe, 10% of his income for the work of the Lord.
In 1906, the great San Francisco earthquake struck the city. The earthquake ignited several fires that burned for three days and destroyed nearly 500 city blocks.
Telegram to Mr. Kerr: “Your factory is in the heart of the fire and is undoubtedly destroyed.”
“I know God will not go back on His promises.” – Mr. Kerr
Malachi 3:11a – “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground.”
Second telegram a week later – “Everything for a mile and a half on all sides of the factory burned; but your factory is miraculously saved.”
“If modern day skeptics wanted proof that there is a God, that the Bible is His Holy Word, and His promises are true, all they need to do is tithe for one year, and God would prove to them, without a doubt, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” – Mr. Kerr (Hebrews 13:8)
Genesis 28:13 – “And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, ‘I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.”
Genesis 28:14b-15 – “In your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Genesis 28:16 – “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”
Genesis 28:20-21 – “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.’”
Genesis 28:22b – “And of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
Tithe – “The practice of giving a tenth of one’s income or property as an offering to God.” – Hayford
Why did Jacob tithe and why would the Holy Spirit encourage us to tithe as well?
1. WE TITHE BECAUSE GOD IS GOOD AND WE ARE GRATEFUL
Every time Jacob gave, it was a reminder of the goodness of God he encountered at Bethel.
We give out of gratitude for the goodness and mercy of God.
Psalm 107:1 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Psalm 116:12 – “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”
2. WE TITHE BECAUSE EVERYTHING WE HAVE COMES FROM GOD AND BELONGS TO GOD
God owns everything. We don’t own anything.
Psalm 24:1a – “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
Everything we have is a gift from Him.
Genesis 28:22b – “And of all that You give me, I will surely give a tenth to You.”
James 1:17a – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights.”
3. WE TITHE BECAUSE THE TITHE BELONGS TO THE LORD
Leviticus 27:30 – “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.”
The tithe is the King’s portion.
Genesis 14:20b – “And he gave him a tithe of all.”
Hebrews 7:1a;3b – “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God…made like the Son of God…”
4. WE TITHE BECAUSE TITHING PUTS GOD FIRST
Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase.”
Proverbs 3:10 – “So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Our tithe is a firstfruit offering.
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
“It always takes faith to give the first.” – Robert Morris
5. WE TITHE BECAUSE TITHING POSITIONS US FOR THE BLESSING OF GOD
Malachi 3:10 – “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 3:11 – “’And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the Lord of Hosts.”
“Tithing is a spiritual gateway for God to enter your circumstances and place His blessing on the remaining 90% of your income.” – Robert Morris
Father God wants to bless us so that He can bless the nations through us.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you find yourself worrying about finances?
2. Have you invited the Lord into your finances to be your Senior Partner?
3. Do you practice the Biblical discipline of tithing? Why or why not?
4. If not, what are some of the concerns that are hindering you?
5. If you are walking in the discipline of tithing, could you share one testimony of how God has come through for you and shown Himself strong on your behalf?