The Blessed Life - Dec 13, 2009 - Champaign, IL
The Blessed Test
December 13, 2009 - The Blessed Test by Craig Groeschel - Grace Community Church Champaign, IL
True Riches
Luke 16:10-11 NIV84
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
Money Promises What Only God Can Provide
1.) SECURITY 2.) FREEDOM 3.) POWER 4.) SIGNIFICANCE
Can’t Serve 2 Masters
Matthew 6:24 NIV84
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Never Satisfied
Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV84
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Tithes Belong to God
Leviticus 27:30 NIV84
“ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
Robbing God
Malachi 3:8-9 NIV84
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.
The Blessing of the Tithe (1)
1.) Tithing provides for God's WORK through His church.
Tithe to God’s House
Malachi 3:10 NIV84
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.
The Blessing of the Tithe (2)
2.) Tithing teaches me to put God FIRST. "The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives." Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB
Test God
Malachi 3:10 NIV84
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.
Important Things
Matthew 23:23 NLT
“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.
We Give to God First
It requires faith to give FIRST. If you give LAST, it doesn't require faith.
Give to God First
Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV84
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
God Gave First
Romans 5:8 NIV84
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Talk It Over
How much would you say you love and trust God? Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is? Share your level of comfort (or discomfort) with the idea of tithing. Discuss your past with tithing and what you’d like your future to be. What steps will you take this week to pass the blessed test?
Share a Prayer Request or Need
Please tell us how we can pray for you or a way we can help you this week.
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