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Warren Seventh Day Adventist Church

Giancarlo De Miranda

Who is in Control of Your Life?

And I'm going to be talking about a topic that I never talked about in this church during my 2 and a half years or a little bit more that I've been here.

And there is a reason I never talked about it.

And I feel compelled to make a disclaimer here which really I shouldn't but because of the theology of prosperity that is often preached in several churches where emphasize giving as the means to become rich and to get more then I feel like I'm making a disclaimer because I'm going to speak about stewardship I'm going to speak about tithe and offerings what the Bible has to say about that but I want to say that that's the first time I preach because I want to convey the idea that This church has much more to say than only this aspect of the gospel Did you hear what I said aspect of what everyone the gospel?

We will see that tithe and offerings has a lot to do with recognizing God as our creator, as our Lord, as our Savior, as the 1 in control of our lives.

So with that, I invite you to pray with me 1 more time, and then we will see what the Bible has to say.

Father in heaven, we ask once again for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to guide us, to instruct us in righteousness and to give us the power and the faith to follow your will, for we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

So the title of the message is who is in control of your life and as we unpack this theme again it will be centered on stewardship and we will see what God has to say about that let me start with some fundamental basis for stewardship for biblical stewardship so I will go through a few verses of here you're welcome to follow along 1 will be in Psalms chapter 24 I want to start with this 1 Psalms chapter 24 and verse 1 before we actually talk about what the Lord expects and in 1 aspect even requires of us we will understand that what is the basis for stewardship why the Lord has the right to require of us what he requires in his Word so we are in Psalms chapter 24 and verse 1 notice what the Bible says here the earth is belongs to who?

The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness everything that is on the earth belongs to the Lord the world and those who dwell therein so that includes you and I we also belong to the Lord and in fact we belong to God for 2 reasons reason number 1 he created us but then what happened was that satan tempted mankind and he was able to steal mankind from the creator and now jesus and a whole heaven is in the mission to redeem mankind back to God, to reconcile mankind back to God and now we become the creators or gods for a second reason and that is for redemption because of redemption so the book of Haggai chapter 2 verse 8 notice what it says here, the silver is mine and the gold is mine says the Lord of hosts of course the prophets they are often using the language of their days today we don't use silver and gold as much as they used in the past to do transaction, commercial transactions and since we are here in Psalms, let's go to Psalms 50 now okay, Psalms 50 and we're going to read verse 12, okay?

In Psalms 50 and verse 12 the Bible continues to give the same idea that all things belong to God.

Notice what God says through the psalmist, if I were hungry I would not tell you for the world is of who?

The whole world belongs to the Lord and now I want you to see this 1 in Deuteronomy chapter 8 Deuteronomy chapter 8 and the verse 18 not only the earth the whole world belongs to the Lord but also He is the 1 that gives strength to mankind to acquire what he needs and He is the 1 that bless the earth to produce what mankind needs notice Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 18 I will read just a portion of this verse and you shall remember the Lord your God for it is He who gives you what?

Power to get wealth so stewardship is based on this verses over here so this is a summary it's based on the fact that the earth belongs to the Lord It's based on the fact that everything is His and He in fact is the 1 that gives us health to acquire means.

All blessings flows from the Creator and our Redeemer in fact God himself set us an example of stewardship and giving besides creating the whole world to bless his creatures, especially those made in his image if that was not enough, the Bible says, for God so loved the world that he...

He gave and he didn't give just a portion of what he had, he gave it all he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes him should not perish but have everlasting life Isn't that powerful?

That God that could say I have already given everything for you guys, you guys messed up and now you are on your own and yet God says I'm still willing to give more and that is my own life for you that's powerful that's the foundation the basis for stewardship and because of these things we're willing not to pay back to God but to return because all things belong to Him through creation and through redemption and we acknowledge that I want to take you to the book of Matthew chapter 25 if you will so let's turn to Matthew chapter 25 and we're going to see that Jesus taught a parable and in that parable he put it puts into perspective what we human beings are in relation to God and the things that He gives us so we are going to read just 1 verse of this parable but this is the parable of the talents 1 received 5, the other received 2, the other received 1 the 1 that received is only 1 and uses only for himself, he even bear his treasure, his talent, he loses even that which he received, but I want you to see here how God refers to those in charge of his means.

In verse 14 the Bible says for the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country this man traveling to a far country is Jesus after he came to this earth he went back to heaven who called his own servants and that's us and delivered them his what everyone?

His goods to them so notice carefully friends he delivered his goods to us not our own goods the things that we have don't belong to us but actually belongs to Jesus, He gives to us and He expects us to be like managers, a better word for that or a biblical term for that is stewards we are stewards we manage, we administrate we make sure we treat God's goods, place in our hands in the best way as possible to honor Him would you say amen for that?

Oh yes, we become now partners with God but I want to show you in the Bible the origin of what we call tithe, 10 percent of our increase of the blessings that God gives to us and if you'd like to go with me to the book of Genesis we are going to chapter 14 and this is the story of Abraham so that's the first time we see tithe or one-tenth of the increase of a person who serves God being returned to the cause of God that's the very first time that we see in the Bible but I'm going there to you because this there is this understanding in Christianity including that the tithe is actually only given through the ceremonial law what kind of law did I say The Ceremonial Law and that was abolished at the cross and that was in fact abolished at the cross, the Ceremonial Law and there was the system of tithe and offerings that God gave to the Levite and some people they say that was done away once the Levitical priesthood was no longer necessary and the whole ceremonial law was done away and tithe was done away along with that as well because it was to support that system, ok?

That was a system that instructed God's people to understand his ways but that couldn't be...

That is actually far from the truth because the system of tithe existed before the Levitical priesthood before there was the nation of Israel, before the sons of Jacob was born including Levi, before all that we already see here in Genesis chapter 14 I want to read with you verse 18 notice what the Bible says chapter 14 verse 18 this is Abraham after he came back from the war to try to rescue his nephew then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine so Melchizedek was not only a king he was also a priest as we learn in the Bible in other passages and he's bringing the wine and the bread which is a symbol of the body of Christ the blood of Jesus he was the priest of the God Most High and notice in verse 20 and bless the God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand.

And notice what Abraham did here to Melchizedek.

So we see here the tie system already in place in the days of Abraham and in fact friends I don't think that Abraham was the 1 that invented that I think that was the custom of the times to return the tithe to those that were employed in the work of God and we will unpack that a little bit more as we go through but if you go to all the way to Hebrew chapter 7 we find again the same story of Abraham returning his tithe to Melchizedek that is in Hebrew chapter 7 verse 4 it says now consider how great this man was Melchizedek a type of Jesus and a better priesthood the heavenly priesthood not the Levitical to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a what everyone?

A tenth of the spoils Why is this passage significant to our study or to the biblical teaching on tithe?

The first time that the Bible talks about tithe is Abraham returning tithe to Melchizedek.

The last time that the Bible talks about tithe is Abraham returning tithe to Melchizedek.

So if you want to understand what the Bible talks about a certain subject, it's always, it's a biblical hermeneutical rule for you always to check where it appears in the Bible for the first time and where it appears in the Bible for the first time and where it appears in the Bible for the last time and in the last time there is no indication of a change in fact it speaks about Abraham returning tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High, a type of Jesus, indicating here in the context of Hebrews that the ministry, the high priestly ministry of Jesus, the true ministry of the high priest which Melchizedek was a type of should be supported by the tithe of God's people No indication that the system was abolished or was not good for the Christian faith now I wanna show you another time, the second time that the Bible talks about tithe now in the book of Genesis, let's go to the book of Genesis and we're going to Genesis chapter 28 and we find the story of Jacob, you probably remember Jacob, right?

So he deceived his brother, he deceived his father instilling the birthright and he realized the mistake, his mother realized the mistake so he flee for his life and as he is fleeing God gives him a dream so much mercy toward this man that was a sinner God reveals himself to him and says I want to be your God I want to bless you and I want you to see what Jacob tells God here that is actually funny you may not realize that as you read superficially but if you think about it is actually funny notice what Jacob says here and he's making a deal with God here in verse 20 of chapter 28 the Bible says then Jacob made a vow saying if God will be with me and keep me in this way that I'm going and give me what everyone bread to eat and clothing to put on so that I come back to my father's house in peace so he desired to go back 1 day then the Lord shall be my God so he's basically saying God if you bless me and then I will I will honor you in everything I do so it shouldn't you know like be that way but anyway God is here doing the initiation and He's basically saying, I want you to do the initiation, Lord I want you to bless me and I'm going to honor you so notice what it says here, it goes on to say in verse 22 and this stone which I have set as a pillar, he built an altar over there, shall be God's house and of all that you give me I will surely give you a what everyone?

So you may think as some of you saying a tenth of what I make like my increase that's a lot.

So here is him saying to God, I will give you a tenth, and if you place yourself in the side of Jacob, it's like it's a lot.

Think of you going to a store, maybe you're going to buy a stove or something like that, something more expensive, you know, or maybe you're going to buy a nice shoes and you talk to the person, to the salesperson, and can you give me a discount?

And he said I give you a 10% and you're like 10%?

It depends on the side you are on like only 10%?

But to God is like I give you 10% God and we are like struggling sometimes and we fail to recognize that God has given us everything and he owns everything he even has given us health and wisdom to acquire what we have.

And from our perspective, it may seem a lot, but for God, it's, listen, I gave you a hundred, I'm just requesting you to return, not to pay, but to return 10%.

And that's why I think this passage is funny he's like God if you really bless me if you give me all that I will give you 10% you know so...

Okay okay very good and God bless him God is reasonable, would you say amen for that?

He sees our lack of faith and he says that's fine 10 percent I'll bless you with a hundred So I want you to see Jesus' endorsement to tithe.

Let's go to the book of Luke chapter 11, okay?

Because again there is this notion that in the New Testament the Christian Church is no longer under the obligation of returning to God 10% but I want you to see that Jesus made reference to tithing and he never indicated that tithing should not be practiced so we are now in the book of Luke chapter 11 and verse 42 he's rebuking the Pharisees here including in their practice of tithing because not because they were tithing but because they believe themselves to be righteous more righteous than other people for returning tithe you see the difference yes or no so let's read what it says here in verse 42 the Bible says in Luke 11 verse 42 but woe to you Pharisees for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs they're very detail-oriented there and pass by what everyone justice to the poor to the widow and love of God so they are ignoring God's love, God's justice, God's mercy and they're only focused on their outward compliance to become righteous.

And God is saying, you are not really righteous.

And notice now the words, These you ought to have done.

What did He mean when he says, these you ought to have done, to return your tithes.

And then he goes on to say, without leaving the others undone.

And the others is justice and the love of God which is more important.

So let's go on here I want you to see the Apostle Paul now in the book of 1st Corinthians chapter 9.

Let's turn our Bibles there in 1st Corinthians chapter 9.

1st Corinthians chapter 9 Paul is going to talk about how to support the gospel commission how to support what everyone the gospel commission and he's going to make allusion to the tithe system in the Old Testament and you need to see what he's actually doing here he's not going to use the word tithe but you need to understand that he's directly speaking about tithe in verse 13 notice what he says Paul says do you not know that those who misminister the holy things eat of the things of the what everyone?

Of the temple, if you go back in the Old Testament scriptures you will see that the temple was supplied with the tithes and offerings of the Israelites of God's people and he's making reference to that system right now in reference now to the gospel commission to those that are in full-time engagement in gospel ministry do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar now he makes the application even so the Lord has what is next word now?

This is a commandment that those who preach the gospel should leave what?

From the gospel and he makes reference to the tithing and offering system of the Old Testament and he applies that to the Gospel Commission in the New Testament Church friends there is no indication in the New Testament that God discontinued the tithe and offering system I want to read a statement here in the book Testimonies for the Church Volume 9, 247 which I think it summarized what we are seeing here in the Bible.

Let none feel at liberty to retain their what everyone?

To use according to their own judgment why is it saying here use according to their own judgment we just saw we just saw that the tithe was used to support those that preach the gospel that's what Paul said in verse 14 in chapter 9 of 1st Corinthians and some people they say can I use my thigh to maybe you know supply food for the poor?

God designated the tithe to support the gospel ministry.

And to help the poor he designated offerings this church for instance we have several ministries that we use the offerings of the congregation to bless the poor.

Like today, as it was announced, we are going to distribute food boxes and we have other ministries as well of this church that supply the needs of the poor, but not with tithe.

So notice what it says, let none feel a liberty to retain their tithe or to use according to their own judgment they are not to use it for themselves in an emergency not to apply it as they see fit even if what they may regard as the Lord's work and we will see that Paul here when making reference to the Levitical system to return tithe and offerings it was a system that was highly organized where there was accountability and checks and balances and that should be applied those principles should be applied in the Christian Church.

I want to read another system here before we unpack that a little bit more but notice what it says here and I want to read this statement in the context of making commitment making what everyone?

Commitment Because you're never going to be able to give what God requires of you if you do not make a commitment and if you do not think through, develop plans and take action.

If you just live like after you pay all your bills and you buy all that you think you need and then you decide to give what the Lord requires of us, many fail to honor God and in fact people that are in debt and I'm not talking about like a mortgage this is something that is planned it's planned out okay but people that are in debt and they say I have no way to return my tithe and my offerings to the Lord because I have this debt friends let's be honest we are in slavery God's people are not supposed to get into debt this is this is stewardship God wants his people to be free and that includes financially as well.

So we can use our means that are not ours in the first place to fulfill the gospel commission and also to bless other people.

So if you're in debt, I'm not going to give a course here on how to get out of debt, but you need to start making plans how to get out of debt.

God delivered the Israelites from slavery, from bondage.

My bondage can be something else other than literal slavery.

So, now notice carefully here in the context of making commitment, forethought, plan and action.

This matter of giving is not left to what is next word now impulse when I have a give when I don't have I don't give you always have because the Lord is the 1 who wants to be in charge of your life.

God has given us definite instruction in regard to it.

He has specified tithe and offerings as the measure of our obligation And he desires us to give, how often?

We have systems of giving that facilitate people to give systematically without necessarily having to bring physically to the church, ok?

Like online giving and other options such as mailing and things like that.

But I want you to see this statement now.

And this statement I wanna read in the context of having an organized plan to collect the tithe and offerings so we can redistribute where it should go with checks and balances.

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Who is in Control of Your Life?

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