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.
