I Am Your King

The Context: Samuel's Leadership and Israel's Demand

Samuel's Sons and Their Failings

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons, Joel and Abijah, as judges over Israel. Unlike their father, they were greedy and accepted bribes, perverting justice. This corruption led the elders of Israel to demand a king to judge them, like other nations.

The Historical Background

To understand the significance of this demand, we need to look back at Israel's history. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua took over and led them into the Promised Land. However, after Joshua's death, a generation arose that did not acknowledge God, leading to a cycle of rebellion and the rise of judges like Deborah, Samson, and Samuel.

The Rich Trap: Legacy vs. Generosity

Building a Legacy

Many of us strive to build a legacy for our families, aiming for stability and prosperity. However, there's a danger in getting stuck in what we call the "rich trap." This trap occurs when we focus solely on accumulating wealth for ourselves and forget the importance of overflowing generosity.

Who is Your King?

Our ability to move from legacy-building to overflowing generosity hinges on answering the question: Who is your king? Matthew 6:24 reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money. We must choose whom we will serve.

The Principle of Tithing

Tithing: A Principle, Not a Prescription

Tithing is often misunderstood. It's not a legalistic requirement but a principle of acknowledgment. The word "tithe" simply means a tenth. In the Old Testament, tithing was a way to acknowledge God's provision and lordship.

Acknowledging Jesus as Our Priest

In Genesis 14, Abram gave a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek, acknowledging him as a priest. This act foreshadows our acknowledgment of Jesus as our eternal priest. Hebrews 7:15-17 connects Melchizedek to Jesus, emphasizing that our tithing acknowledges Jesus' priesthood.

Acknowledging the Lord as Our God

Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20-22 shows another aspect of tithing: acknowledging the Lord as our God. By giving a tenth, Jacob recognized God's provision and protection.

Accelerating the Vision and Mission of the Church

The Coffee Maker Analogy

The church is like a coffee maker, designed to provide for the needs of the community. However, it can only do so with the right resources—people (water) and money (coffee). Without these resources, the church cannot fulfill its mission.

Practical Implications

To open the doors of our church, we had to raise significant funds. Imagine what we could achieve if everyone committed to tithing. With consistent giving, we could expand our reach, support missions, and build facilities to serve our community better.

Life Application

Moving from Legalism to Generosity

Tithing should not be seen as a legalistic obligation but as a principle that leads to overflowing generosity. Here are three steps to move in this direction:

1. Automation: Set up automated giving to ensure consistency.
2. Adjustment: Make necessary adjustments in your budget to prioritize giving.
3. Acceptance: Accept that giving itself is the reward. In giving, we receive.