Our view of money is mostly influenced by the environment were raised in.
God's desire for our finances: 1. Our trust in him. Matthew 6:19-24
2. Our needs met. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
3. That we would live generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Stewarding the blessing: 1. First things first.
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops
There is not a greater revealer of our heart than our bank statement.
We don't give the tithe; we yield it.
Malachi 3:8–12 (NIV) 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
The Tithe:
It's already God's
It's a test. We can test God in it, as he is testing us with it.
It's for the storehouse, His house.
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)For where your treasure is, there you're heart will be also.
We receive best where we are invested most.
2. Manage well. 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food... Luke 16:10–13 (NLT) 10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
A. Take care of what you have. B. Set a budget:
Prioritize Necessities
Consider Luxuries
Set Boundaries
Dealing with debt: Luke 16:13 (NLT) “You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) The borrower is servant to the lender.
3. Work smart and hard. Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
4. Establish a lifestyle of generosity. “The goal of believers is not to accumulate wealth but to delegate blessing.”
The significance of generosity is measured by sacrifice, not size.
Our little becomes a lot when we put it in God's hands.
Luke 17:11-19 (NLT) 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."
1. Jesus is troubled by ungratefulness. 2. Jesus provides health and wholeness. 3. Wholeness is connected to Gratitude. Luke 17:19 (NIV) "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
"Gratitude increases our faith because we keep the one we trust before us." The Spirit of Gratitude is the prerequisite to a healthy soul.
3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy."- unknown
Mindsets that hinder a grateful spirit: 1. Entitlement What you are entitled to is so much less than what God promises you! 2. Victimhood The difference between victims and victorious is their posture in the battle. 3. Negativity Complainers are drainers. Negativity comes out of those who have not nurtured an internal culture of gratefulness.
Gratitude is the will of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Thankfulness not just a command OF you; it's a command FOR you!
Counting blessings Colossians 3:15-17(NIV)Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with Gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1. Consider the blessings Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly! Psalm 103:1–5 (NIV) 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
2. Celebrate your blessings Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Find the melody in the moment. Praise points: Provision,Providence, Promise.
3. Commit to an attitude of gratitude. "Gratitude is not an act; it's an attitude." Colossians 3:17(NLT) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
7 Days of Gratefulness. #1. Complete the following statements: Today I am thankful that God is ___________. Today I am grateful for_________. #2. Write them down #3. Avoid grumbling, complaining, or whining.
Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV) 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Blessed attitudes: The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7
Matthew 5:1–13 (NIV) 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecutedbecause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
"Blessed"
Makarios: happy, blissful, to be enlarged.
Deep Joy of the soul: A vibrant spirit.
The spirit of the age: self-promotion and self-preservation. Self-priority is a vice not a virtue. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV )A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
The Blessed Attitudes. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "If we lose our dependence on God, we lose his blessing."
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Psalm 51:17 (NIV) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. "When we lose the sorrow over sin, we lose sight of the joy of our salvation."
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Meekness is strength under control.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT) … I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. When we sow mercy, we reap it! Colossians 3:12–13 (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Not only forgiveness but blessing those that oppose us. Matthew 5:44–45 (NLT) 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be actingas true children of your Father in heaven…
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Purity of heart: morals, motives, and methods.
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) …Be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. We are bringing a message of reconciliation with God.
Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
8. Blessed are those who are persecutedbecause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:13–16 (NIV) 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
