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July 23 Morning Service
J

The Mercy of Returning v.7

Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

If we repent, and turn to God He will return to us.  Is it too late?

The mercy is for us.  God has or will never beg us to turn our hearts to Him, but He does show mercy.  How?  He sends a messenger, and within that message He states clearly what they must do.

How did they move away from God?  Listen to verses 8 and 9.  They sound much like that of Chapter one when they were bringing bad offerings to the altar.  Remember, they brought offerings that were less than the best.  They were not living sacrificially.  If you want to see God do something amazing, allow God to do only something God can do!  Trust Him, live sacrificially and see how He blesses you!
J

The Malfunction of Robbing vv. 8-9

If you have employment, do you not believe that God has sovereignly placed you there?  The income you make, is it not His?  You better believe it is!  He allows us to be stewards of His blessings!  That is why I have a huge problem with gambling!  It’s not our money to blow away!  When we tithe, God allows us the opportunity to advance the Kingdom.  It’s really a trust issue isn’t it?  Do I believe God will really take care of me or should I hang on to this money for a rainy day.  Tithing is not just Old Testament, it’s clearly New Testament and something we should practice today.  Here are some examples.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”  -It cost to care for people.

Ephesians 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” -You labor, God blesses; therefore, you get to bless others in the name of God!

1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” -Ministry costs.

In Romans 15 the Gentiles took up a love offering for the saints in Jerusalem. 

The book of Philippians is a thank you letter for their offering to Paul for His missionary journey. 

The Magnificent Result vv. 10-12

When we give what is God’s already, He will bless the giver.  It may not always come in the form of finances.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  -Tithing is a trust issue!  You cannot out give God! 

Give from gladness, not guilt.  Give because you are in awe of the glory of God, not out of guilt.  God, here you are. This is yours; I will trust in you Lord, with my money, my family, my life- it is all yours!

The Widow’s Offering

Mark 12:41-44 “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.  43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”   

We are living for a Kingdom that we have never seen!  Jesus is worth it!