Subject: Do We Trust God with our Finances
by Rick Welborne
Proverbs 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
--The first several weeks of this year we have been sharing the series “Get Rid of the Box” and God has been speaking to us in an incredible way.
--The week before Doug Reed we talked about how important it is to carry the Presence of God in an honorable way…we saw that it does matter how we live and how we house the Presence of God.
--I hope we are asking the question on a daily basis…Lord, how do you want me to carry your Presence and then I pray we are obedient.
--Israel, the Philistines, and King David found out the hard way that it does matter and that there are consequences to being disobedient…they saw defeat, death, Dagon fall, and Uzzah die.
--As we approach our Missions Conference next Saturday and Sunday I hope and pray you will allow God to challenge you in the area of your finances and obedience to God.
--It has always been amazing to me how a preacher can talk about pretty much anything and you have the support of the entire congregation but when you talk about money people freeze up. Why?
--It has to be because they do not understand how God works in the area of finances and how God truly wants His people to be blessed in their lives including with money.
--Please understand this is not just a one time and I am done agreement, it is a lifestyle of faithfulness based on the Word of God and here in Proverbs there we see three issues that must be understood.
--There is the issue of the heart, the issue of trust, and the issue of honor
1. The Issue of the Heart
Proverbs 3:1-4 (NKJV)
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
--God is saying…don’t forget my Word but let your heart keep my commands…why would He say the heart? Until you get it in your heart and not your head, giving will never make sense to you.
--I will say this, that once you decide in your heart to be faithful and you walk that out over a long period of time…your mind will finally catch up and say oh, that is what God meant.
--Many of you are really stuck in dis-belief (in your box) that the principle of tithing and giving does not work the way you hear people say that it does…it is an issue of the heart.
--Those preachers and TV evangelist are just wanting to get my money…Really? There may be a few preachers or evangelist who want your money for the wrong reason but most of us just want you blessed.
--Several years ago a man in the church was telling me that he thought I should be driving something nicer (Honda Civic) as a Lead Pastor…he also went on to tell me his tithe was paying my salary.
--Being shy like I am, I told him I would drive whatever he bought me that was nicer than my car. I thought (even though I didn’t know what his giving was) that if he is paying my salary I may need food stamps.
--Your heart should ask this question…is it in the Word of God for me to bring my tithe 10% to the church and, if it does, shouldn’t I be obedient? We do not pay our tithes, we bring them…they belong to God.
Nehemiah 13:11-12 (NKJV)
11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.
11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.
Malachi 3:7-12 (NIV)
7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--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 you will not have room enough for it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--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 you will not have room enough for it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
--Both of the places it says they brought their tithes to the storehouse or the church. You see, I do not want you to be under a curse in your finances…bring your 10% to God’s house…God says to test Him in this..Wow!
--The benefits…See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Malachi 3:11 (NIV)
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed…
Malachi 3:18 (NIV)
18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
--Pastor, this is all OT so I don’t believe we are under these same rules or commands…nothing in the NT.
NT is tougher in its rules…Don’t commit adultery - OT…NT – Don’t even look at a woman with lust.
Matthew 23:23 (NLT)
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
--I had a lady in a Covenant Members Class (not today) say that she was NT and that she was not bound by the law to tithe. I said ok…you can be NT but this is what they did in the book of Acts.
Acts 4:32, 34-35 (NKJV)
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
--It is a condition of the heart, God will multiply your seed (your finances) as you give cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (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.
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.
2. The Issue of Trust
Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
--Theses verses are life verses to many people and well should be…I can’t tell you the number of times that I have counseled people and pointed them to these passages.
--Yes, Lord, I trust you with all of my heart in regard to wisdom and understanding, with salvation and with direction, with taking care of my sin, with taking care of my health and healing.
--Lord, you are everything to me and I trust you explicitly…you are my everything and you can be trusted with all of my issues of life…but, Lord, I will take the area of my finances.
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee. This represents total commitment. Remember that when God told Israel about the land He was giving to them, He said, "The land is Mine; I am giving it to you." Israel was to bring a tithe. At the very beginning of the harvest they brought the firstfruits. That was to acknowledge that God was the owner of it all. It was an evidence of total commitment.
Don't tell me you are totally committed to the Lord until your pocketbook is committed too. The Lord gave you everything. Some folk may say, "I have worked hard. I earned this." But who gave you the health to work? Who gave you the work to do? Who made it possible for you to make money? My friend, God did all that for you. Acknowledge Him. That is the evidence of total commitment.
--Do you trust that if you bring the tithe first from your income that God will bless you…that your barns will be filled with plenty and that if God will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
--If you do not believe this…you do not trust in the Lord with all your heart and you are leaning on your own understanding…you are only acknowledging Him in some of your ways. Vinney and Regina Rodriquez
--Again, you may be thinking pastor just wants my money…the enemy is just lying to you…I am paid whether you give or not (been happening for years) I just want you blessed like Vinney and Regina.
3. The issue of honor.
Proverbs 3:9 (NCV)
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and the firstfruits from all your crops.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and the firstfruits from all your crops.
Honor – Noun: High respect…esteem. Verb: Adherence to doing what is right for someone…regarding with great respect…Fulfilling an obligation.
--Look at what the Lord says about offerings that are not right and not showing Him the honor He is due.
Malachi 1:6-10 (NIV)
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible.
8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
9 "Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"--says the LORD Almighty.
10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.
6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'
7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible.
8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.
9 "Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"--says the LORD Almighty.
10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.
Illustration – Table marked church and a table marked house. Five different items and ten of each of them. Give one to the church because God is first and nine to your house. Do it again and again.
--As your house fills up to overflowing…you decide to give more…to missions…God blesses you and you give more to the church and to missions…everyone wins because of God’s blessings flowing.
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