Sermon 210

📖 SERMON 210 — OLD TESTAMENT GIVING

Preacher:
Date: May 6, 19—? (original shows “5-86” but year partly illegible)
Text: Malachi 3:8–10
Reference Reading: Malachi 1:6–14; 3:7–12
Title: Old Testament Giving

INTRODUCTION

One of the most dangerous subjects for a minister to preach about is money. Some say: “Do not preach about money—you will make enemies.” They claim nothing hurts a person more than touching his pocketbook.

Yet the Bible has much to say about giving, and refusing to hear God on this subject is a great sin. There is a close connection between your pocketbook and your soul. Your attitude toward money reveals your spiritual condition.

SUBJECT: OLD TESTAMENT GIVING

I. ITS PRIMARY REQUISITES

A. It Must Honor God

1. Giving had to show high respect and esteem for God.
2. Malachi’s generation failed in this. They offered the lame and the sick—what they could not use anyway.
3. When gifts did not honor God, He hated them. Such giving brought a curse, not a blessing.

B. It Must Reveal Sincere Love and Devotion

1. Giving had to be voluntary, flowing from obedience and consecration.
2. Sacrifices offered by the ungodly, hypocrites, or those living in disobedience were worthless.
3. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

II. GIVING OF SACRIFICES

A. Sacrifices Began Early

1. Cain and Abel brought offerings.
2. Noah offered sacrifices.
3. Abraham built altars.
4. These likely arose from repentant hearts remembering God’s covering of Adam and Eve.

B. Prescribed by Moses in the Wilderness

1. God specified the sacrifices at Sinai.
2. They were part of the ceremonial law.
3. They foreshadowed Christ—the great sacrifice.
4. They expressed hope of forgiveness and gratitude for forgiveness.
5. They emphasized that redemption is costly.
6. Through them Israel worshipped God their Redeemer.

III. GIVING OF TITHES

A. Early Mentions

1. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek.

B. Prescribed by Mosaic Law

1. Tithes were for the Levites who maintained the worship of God.
2. They provided support “that there may be food in my house.” Food for the priests, not for God.
3. Tithes were distinct from sacrifices; they served a different purpose.
4. God claimed them as His own. Withholding them was robbing God (“Ye have robbed me.” — Mal. 3:8).
5. Tithes had to be given willingly, not as an unwelcome tax.
6. God blessed faithful givers.

IV. GIVING OF ALMS

A. Alms Differed from Sacrifices and Tithes

1. Not offerings for sin.
2. Not support for the Levites or temple worship.

B. Alms Were Gifts of Charity to the Poor

1. God required Israel to care for the poor.
2. Jesus taught about almsgiving.
3. He warned against giving for praise: Giving must be done with love, not for human recognition.
4. Jesus did not mean that all giving must be secret. If so, claiming charitable deductions would be sinful—which Scripture never teaches.
5. Some refuse to give systematically and misuse “secret alms” to justify disobedience.

CONCLUSION

Old Testament giving involved many kinds of offerings, often public and sometimes recorded by name. The demands were heavy—but thanks be to God, Christ became poor for us. His one great sacrifice fulfilled all sin-offerings forever. We no longer search our herds for the best bull or ram. Jesus offered Himself once for all—and now the New Testament teaches giving in light of His grace.