Are You Robbing God?
A message by Pastor Mark Jordan in our current series, Scary Bible.
Have you felt violated from someone taking advantage of you?
Getting robbed causes a complete upheaval in our lives.
Did you ever think that God feels that way when we take Him for granted?
Malachai 3:7-10 (NIV) | 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Take-Aways
– God feels like we rob Him when we withhold our generosity
– God says we can test His Law of Reciprocity
God wants us to test Him based on His grace, not our greed.
Acts 5:1-11 (NIV) | 1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Take-Aways
– God cares more about honesty than appearances. Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give all while holding back.
– Integrity before God is non-negotiable.
Am I robbing God?
Luke 6:38 (NIV) | Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Mission: Hope – Imagine…
Reflection Questions
- How have you felt violated or betrayed in your life, and how can you entrust those feelings to God, recognizing that everything you have comes from Him?
- What practical ways can you use your time, talents, or finances to introduce others to Jesus or advance His kingdom?
- Malachi 3:7-12 challenges us not to rob God in tithes and offerings, promising blessings for obedience. What steps can you take to grow in faithfulness with tithing, even if you’re not yet giving the full 10%? How can you test God’s promise in this area?
- How can you cultivate honesty and transparency in your giving and stewardship, ensuring your heart aligns with God’s desires?
- How have you experienced God’s provision when you’ve chosen to trust God and serve Him with your resources? What holds you back from fully trusting God with your resources?