Riches Untold

Intro

A principle I have learnt through the years is “you always end up paying for it.” In my fervor to find the most financially sound option I have often found myself being led astray by tantalizing offers that just “can’t be beat.” The adage holds true often that “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Gone are the days where promoters and business owners are honest and up front. People jump to what they think is the best deal, and so businesses put on a facade of financial frugality when in reality they are no better than their competition. Businesses and people have a veneer of caring, but their ultimate goal is selfishness - PANDERING

Pander to the passions of men, and you will win their applause—that is gaining kingdoms by the worship of the devil.

H. D. M. Spence

This kind of cynicism has led me and many others to be leery of good offers. When people offer free or inexpensive goods or services, we tend to ask “why - what’s in it for you?”

So when we offer FREE Bible studies and seminars people are leery - thinking that we are just after their money, time, or resources. Well, here is where God has an idea, or principle if you will, that is CRAZY.

God Owns Everything

Psalm 24:1 NKJV

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10–11 NKJV

For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

Haggai 2:8 NKJV

‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.

Story of kids who thanked God for food (“I provided for you”)

God’s riches are never lessened by his generosity.

John Blanchard

God gives you the strength to provide for yourself and your family. Principle - Subject yourself to God and His riches

Whatever you seek: Time, Money, power - God is the generator of all these

Give without Regards to “What’s In It For Me?”

Luke 6:38 NKJV

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

It does not say: As you are given, give. There are no conditions on this giving, just GIVE! If we only give to those that deserve, we are going to run into problems - as it said just a few verses above:

Luke 6:35 NKJV

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Explain SDA Donations and Tithe

Building Fund - $25k Matching - let’s not lose this, but give generously.

Disinterested Benevolence - In Hadley, Massachusetts, Pulse Café offers great food and unselfish service. CRAZY!

Acts 20:35 NKJV

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Follow Christ’s Model - Give to the Ungrateful

John 1:11 NKJV

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The cross is the guarantee of the continuing, unfailing generosity of God.

John Stott

How can we be generous with God’s mercy, when we cannot be generous in tangible matters?

Is His promise too weak?

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Appeal

Will you be generous as Jesus was generous?