Sarah Ballard - The Power of Tithing $$$$$

The Power Of Tithing $$$$$
2022 Sarah C.a. Ballard

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 978-1-66783-637-9
eBook ISBN 978-1-66783-638-6

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1
Tithing Boring.

CHAPTER 2
Malachi

CHAPTER 3
Malachi 3:7-8

CHAPTER 4
Malachi 3:9a

CHAPTER 5
Malachi 3:9b

CHAPTER 6
Malachi 3:10

CHAPTER 7
Malachi 3:11

DEDICATION

To my husband, Brigadier General Retired Edward H. Ballard, with all my love.

SPECIAL THANKS

To our wonderful son, Alexander Nathaniel Ballard, and his lovely wife, Alexandria Gabrielle Ballard. I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior while I was pregnant with Alexander. I got baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost a year later. God often used Alex to pull me to Jesus throughout my early years in Him.

To Dr. Aquilla Rice, Bernadette Ballard, Master Sergeant (Retired) William Ballard, and my entire family. It is interesting how whenever you need them, family is always there. Family never lets you down. Even with the many twists and turns of life, we can always depend on my family.

To my spiritual father, Apostle Franklin Cornelius Showell. His guidance and overseeing while completing New Life, Temple Life, the W.A. Showell School of Ministry, and the Eldership Catechism and Training Course taught me how to serve the Lord. Apostles many messages preached repeatedly encouraged me, and helped me to press on in my walk with Jesus.

To First Lady Ella Augusta Showell, who requested that I assist with a particular project that led me right back to sitting in front of my laptop, typing away! Her love and caring over the years kept me focused on this book. First Lady and I often have fun working on various projects. I especially thank God for the many times that she and I have laughed together.

To Bishop Carolyn Showell for her many prayers while serving as her adjutant.

To Dr. Leonard Raucher, the most skilled physician I have ever known. He kept me on target with my physicals and other healthcare needs without being too pushy. This aspect of his medical care is wonderful.

FOREWARD

The scriptures advise every believer to commit a tenth of all they have to the Lord, and to set it aside as holy unto Him. We dont just tithe out of duty to God but out of our vast love for Him and the many blessings he has bestowed upon us. Over my many years as pastor of First Apostolic Faith Church, I have taught numerous theological courses, and preached more sermons than I can count on tithing as a key cornerstone in the life of the believer. Yet tithing remains a challenge we must learn to embrace with a cheerful heart.

Tithing is a discipline that doesnt come easy for some, especially during times of economic hardship and struggle. And even though God promises to provide all of our needs when we commit to giving of our first fruits, many Christians choose fear over faith. When we refuse to give unto God, the scripture calls it robbery. We, as saints, are called to build Gods kingdom, not steal from it.

In this book, Elder Ballard makes the valiant attempt to bridge the gap between Gods directive to tithe and the believers heart to follow Gods plan.

I pray that the words in this book will resonate with anyone who wants to make tithing a consistent priority in their lives. It is my hope that this book will be more than a guide to understand tithing as just an act of obedience. May it open your eyes to tithing as an act of worship to the Almighty.

Apostle Franklin C. Showell

Senior Pastor, First Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ International, Inc.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Several years ago when my sister passed away, I believe that it was at this point that Pastor Kimberly Showell began praying for me. She never mentioned this to me, but I believe this was the starting point of her prayers. Pastor Kimberly serves as the Administrative Pastor for our church, The First Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ International, Incorporated. While I believe that she is in constant prayer for many members of our church, I know that God used Pastor Kimberly in my life. I can never thank her enough for her many prayers and hours of listening when needed. She is a great example of a Godly woman who sincerely cares about the needs of the members of First Apostolic, and that we each reach our full potential in God.

PREFACE

Tithe

1. One tenth
2. Tenth of money or possessions
3. To tithe is to give of ones money to GOD
4. Tithing is a way to worship and obey God
5. To fail to tithe is to rob God

CHAPTER 1
Tithing Boring.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse Malachi 3:8-10.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Holy Scripture of the Bible is made up of thirty-nine Old Testament books, and twenty-seven New Testament books. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. Written originally in Hebrew, the Old Testament is divided into the five books of Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets. The sermons of this Old Testament prophet gives us the Book of Malachi, categorized as one of the Minor Prophets. The book is considered a minor prophetical book not because it is less important than the major prophetical books, but because the book is somewhat short when compared to longer books written by the prophets. Written to the Israelites, its main theme focuses on final warnings, the sin of Israel, and Gods judgement. The name Malachi means messenger. Seeing the people backslide into their old habits of sin, Malachi rebukes them for their present spiritual condition. Malachi also examines the faithfulness of the priests and people of Israel, and predicts the coming of the Messiah.

But why you may ask write a book about tithing? How boring can that be? Most people know about tithing, how much to tithe, and the importance of tithing. Tithing is often an area where many people claim to differ in opinions. Many say, Why should I pay the church my hard earned money? Is it the love of money that makes it challenging for us to tithe?

Years ago ..

As a result of this Word from the Lord, I have continued to write. I took a break from writing for about a year after a very bad incident with a publisher. This particular publisher unfortunately got me for $500. While I tried to pursue receiving a refund from this particular publisher, I never recovered the $500. All I can say at this point is Please have mercy Lord. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:6-7).

However after taking a break from writing for about a year, I felt that the Lord was encouraging me to write again. I can only assume that the possible publisher of my previous book missed an awesome opportunity for like this book, I cannot take any credit for the previous book that I was about to publish. God gave me the words for my previous book, therefore that publisher would have sold millions of copies. And while tithing is not a popular topic, this book in the Name of Jesus will sell in the millions because this writing is Gods Words, not mine. God did it (Apostle Cornelius Showell). To God be the glory!