God wants you to prosper
Prosperity—successful, flourishing condition, especially in financial aspects; good fortune–“above all things!” (3 John 2) Worldly prosperity costs you sorrow and regret, your relationship with God and others, your peace of mind and even your health. (Proverbs 10:22)
God is intrinsically good and benevolent!
He is faithful…
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips—Psalms 89:34
He is merciful…
And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts—2 Chronicles 6:14
He cannot lie…
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? —Numbers 23:19
He makes good on His promises…
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant—1 Kings 8:56
He gives good things…
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. –James 1:17
God has expressed His will for prosperity through the Old Covenant
God’s Covenant with Abraham was based on an unconditional promise.
I will bless you—Genesis 12:1-3
I am El Shaddai, your Creator, the All Sufficient One, Creator (Omniscient One, Omnipresent One, Omnipotent One)—Genesis 17:1,7,8
Abraham was the friend of God because of covenant!—Genesis 22:1-18; James 2:22-24
God then made a covenant for Abraham’s sake with the Nation of Israel
God revealed Himself to a Nation in bondage as the Lord as their Redeemer–Jehovah or Yahweh (Exodus 6:3) He revealed Himself as the Lord God, “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14,15)
Conditions of this covenant are outlined in Deuteronomy 28 as blessings and curses based on obedience to the Old Testament Law.
God incorporates the tithe under the Law with Israel.
The purpose of the tithe was to 1) to honor the Lord, 2) celebrate God’s goodness for their deliverance, 3) support the priesthood, and 4) provide benevolence to the poor. (Leviticus 27:30,32) Israel’s instructions to prosper in the land of promise can be summed up in the love command. That means they were to fill their hearts with God’s word disciple their children. (Deuteronomy 6:5-12,24). That means don’t forget the Lord when you prosper. (Deuteronomy 8:10-18. And again the command to love the Lord and disciple your children. (Deuteronomy 11:13-28)
Today we live under the New Covenant!
Jesus redeemed from the curse so that the Church might receive the blessing of Abraham which includes prosperity and good success! (Galatians 3:13,14,16,29). How do we activate the blessing of godly prosperity? Tithing!
Tithing was initiated by Abraham as a faith response to the covenant. Abraham tithed after receiving the blessing. (Genesis 14:18-20)
The blessing came on Isaac in Genesis 26:12-24. The blessing came on Jacob in Genesis 28:11-22 Leviticus 27:30,32. The blessing came on Joseph in Genesis 37:5-11. Each one obtained the blessing through faith. God was faithful to keep His promise to the Patriarchs. (Psalm 105:37-45)
What about tithing today? Here are reasons why tithing is a valid faith principle under the New Covenant.
- 1. Jesus acknowledged the importance of tithes —Matthew 23:23
- 2. Paul acknowledged the importance of tithes—1 Corinthians 9:1-14
- 3. Jesus is our high priest in heaven—Hebrews 6:16-7:28
- 4. Old Testament pattern is now a reality in Christ—Hebrews 8
- 5. The law is now written in our hearts—Romans 8:1-4
- 6. We should follow the faith of Father Abraham—Romans 4:12
The Apostle Paul’s teachings on knowing God as your source.
- 1. Tapping into God’s financial favor—2 Corinthians 9:6-11
- 2. Tapping into God’s unending supply—Philippians 4:10-19
- 3. Paul’s admonitions…
- 4. Be free of the love of money—1 Timothy 6:6-10
- 5. Be generous like God—1 Timothy 5:17-19
- 6. Produc for the kingdom—1 Thessalonians 4:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
What Jesus taught about your heart and money.
- 1. Heart follows money—Matthew 6:19-21
- 2. Your heart can not be divided—Matthew 6:22-24
- 3. A care free heart—Matthew 6:25-34
- 4. Don’t let things control you—Mark 10:17-27
- 5. Let things follow you—Mark 10:28-30
- 6. Don’t let fear control you—Luke 12:32-34
- 7. Life is about relationship not things—Luke 12:13-21
- 8. Make your heart good ground—Mark 4:13-20
- 9. Give attention to God’s word—Mark 4:21-25
- 10. Trust in the goodness of God—Matthew 7:7-11
Finish Strong! 