Canaan Hackler

You know, I’m not a big fan of fall, but there is definetely one thing associated with this time of year that just absolutely makes me happy. There always seems to be and abundance of food. I love food so much, this time of the year it just seems better. Family comes together and hangs out, people go see places and do things. All this stuff, that’s what I like. But what I like even more than that was Pastor Robert Morris’ message this morning. Talk about profound. This is crazy. He talked on giving and I’m just going to share a few points with you.

You must give the first to God. In everything you have to give God first  or it isn’t blessed. If you don’t give your marriage, finances, gifts, talents, values, things of value, your life to God, the your marriage, finances, gifts, talents, values, things of value, and your life will not be blessed. It’s simple.   Exodus 23:19
“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.   Notice in the verse that it didn’t say that you could give, or think about it and when you have the opportunity do, IT SAYS BRING!!! This is a command from God.  When the Isrealites were taking the city of Jericho God said that they were to give all of the wealth and all to the Lord. Why? Because this was the first city on their way to the promise land. They were to give of the firstfruits of what they had received. The battle belonged to the Lord. So therefore the spoil was all His. God said that if you give Him that city he would bless the rest, if you take some, the rest will be cursed. Everyone of the huge number of people did this accept for one. Achan. He took for himself and cursed the whole nation!  At the battle of Ai they were defeated because the blessing of the Lord was not on their endeavor.

The question has been asked many times of why God accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. The answer lies in the beginning verses of Genesis 4.

³And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

⁴And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

So Cain brought his offering in the process of time. Basically that means whenever Cain got around to it, he brought of the fruit of the ground. Notice again the ‘of’. Abel however bring the firstborn and of their fat. It’s not that God didn’t like Cain, it’s that Cain didn’t bring the firstfruits of his crop. He something ‘of’ the fruit of the ground. See, God cannot receive second best. When you give your tithe you honor God. However just giving your tithe is not the key. You have to give the tithe first. When you get paid, the first thing you right a check for is the tithe. God cannot receive second best. You honor Him with the firstfruits of your increase. So let me ask you this, who do you honor. The mortgage company, Visa, your bills, the electric company, phone provider? Who do you honor first? This is why you can give in the offering and if it isn’t first God will not bless it.

I have heard some people say, well I don’t tithe because I am under grace, and tithing started with the law.   First of all, that’s entirely incorrect. Grace does not relieve tithing, because the righteousness of grace exceeds the righteousness of the law. As Jesus said, you heard it said unto you, Thou shalt not kill. But I say unto you, if you are mad at your brother then you have killed him. See at one point in time I could be mad as long as I didn’t kill you.

You have heard it said unto you, Thou shalt not commit adultery, but I say unto you, if you as much look at a women to lust after her you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. See at one point you could window shop if you didn’t buy!

The righteousness of grace exceeds the righteousness of the law. So you are robing God of His money! Dollar #2 isn’t blessed if #1 isn’t God’s.

-Excerpts Taken From Prosperity With a Purpose Conference 2009- (Robert Morris)