Hebrews 6:1, Let us go on to maturity.
Last week, I talked to you about the grip that money and stuff can have on us in our culture. We talked about our need to break free from the cultural mindset that defines our worth by how much stuff we have. We focused on the idea of simplifying our lives and giving from the heart. Today, we are going to look more closely at what God says about giving.
GIVING IS NOT A MONEY ISSUE. IT IS A TRUST ISSUE
Deuteronomy 14:23b, …The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in your life. (LB) We look at the whole issue of giving money to God in a wrong way.
We are looking at it outside our faith. Giving is a step of faith. Proverbs 3:9-10, Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Then your barns will burst, and your wine vats will brim over. (Message) Put your money where our faith is. The Story of the Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-24)
The best time to give is when I think you can’t, I cannot out-give God.
If I put God first, he will take care of my needs.
I will reap more than I plant. God blesses generous people.
Proverbs 22:9, The generous man will be blessed.
Deuteronomy 15:10, Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.
GIVING IS A MATTER OF GRACE
2 Corinthians 9:7, 8, Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (NLT)
Two principles:
When God has access to your heart, giving becomes a joy.
GIVING MUST BECOME A REGULAR HABIT,
1 Corinthians 16:2, On the Lord’s Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned.This is the how, how much, where part of the sermon.
The tithing promise and challenge:
Malachi 3:10, Bring all the tithe into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you will not have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you. (NLT)