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  GOD FIRST
  by Arthur Vess
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Summary: God demands the first 10% of our income, not what's left over
after paying our bills, and prioritizing Him is essential for a healthy
relationship with Him.

Topics: "Stewardship", "Tithing"
Scripture References: Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 22:9, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:33, Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Philippians 4:19, 1 Timothy 6:10

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DESCRIPTION
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Arthur Vess addresses the excuse of 'I pay my own bills and then tithe
what is left,' emphasizing that our bills are not the Lord's bills. He
illustrates this with a story of a colored boy asking for the rind after
being denied a piece of melon, likening it to selfishness. Vess
questions how one can tithe what is left when there is nothing left
after bills are paid, highlighting God's claim on the first-fruits of
all increase. He stresses the importance of prioritizing God's tithe
over personal expenses, as God's world is in darkness and sin, and
tithers are known for being prompt and faithful.

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CONTENT
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4. Excuse Four: "I pay my own bills and then tithe what is left." Your
own bills are not the Lord's bills. This reminds us of the colored boy
who asked for the rind after he had been refused a piece of the melon,
and received the selfish reply, "Dey ain't gwine ta be no rine." How can
a man tithe what is left when there is nothing left? How many of us have
anything left after our bills are paid? God claims the "First-fruits of
ALL thine increase," not the "left-overs -- the bones for the dogs, the
pennies for the Church." All your living expense, such as groceries,
clothes, and houserent belongs to your own affairs, and is to be settled
by your part, -- the nine-tenths.

How can we take God's tithe for these things when God's world is in
darkness and sin?

Those who say that they pay man first, often fail to pay God or man.
Tithers make good prompt customers.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/arthur-vess/god-first/
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