Money Matters to God

Money matters to God. Not because He needs it, because we are so easily tempted by it. Especially when we don’t think we have enough.

Genesis 3:1–6 NLT

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

“God is holding out on us.” “He is keeping the really good stuff from us so He can keep control.”

As believers, we would never these things out loud. We don’t have to. Why? Luke 12:34

Luke 12:34 NLT

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

And again…

Luke 6:45 NLT

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

So what we say, how we live, comes from the overflow of our heart. Our words and actions are deeply connected. Tithes and offerings are part of how we gauge in a practical way where our heart is. Let me show you.

Hebrews 7:1–7 NLT

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

Hang with me. This is going to make sense.

Melchizedek was a king and priest who Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, gave 10% of his riches. This was long before a tither was ever mandated by the law given to Israel.

So often I hear, “tithe is an OT law that Jesus abolished.” First, Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law. Second, this principle was established before it was given as a law. That is the thing about principles. Law given to guide us to live by principles, not the other way around.

SO what does the new testament say?

Acts 4:32–37 NLT

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts 5:1–4 NLT

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

It wasn’t about an amount. It was about honesty. Barnabas sold a field and brought the money to the apostles. Ananias and Sapphira sold some property as well. They only brought part. They didn’t have to give any. It was the fact they said it was the whole amount. They lied about something they didn’t need to lie about.

I hear you. “Ok, what about Jesus.” I’m glad you asked……

Matthew 19:16–22 NLT

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus isn’t saying you have to sell everything you own then give to the poor. It wouldn’t make sense. Then they would have to sell everything you just gave them and so on and so forth. Jesus asked questions to expose our heart. This revealed that the rich man’s heart was about gaining something for himself. That is not what following Christ is.

I want to ask you some questions today. Not to condemn, that is not from God. And not to convict, that is the job of the Holy Spirit. I want to help you be self aware. We talked about this on Wednesday night at our Bible Study.

Is it my stuff or God’s stuff?

If it’s mine, I can do what I want with it. If it’s God’s, I am a steward.

It’s not mine.

Am I faithful or fearful?

Most times we aren’t holding onto our money because we are greedy. We are scared of not having enough. That God is somehow holding out on us.

Remember the parable of the 3 servants? The 2 faithful were the ones who risked. The fearful one was considered untrustworthy.

Do I have enough margin to be generous?

Are you living maxed out, paycheck to paycheck?

Give yourself margin to be generous.

Invest inGod’s Kingdom over your kingdom

You reap where you plant, later than you plant, and more than you plant.

Youth Convention