First things First

Today we are talking about giving.

Now I know that some just tuned out

Hold on with me

I believe God is the one who gives

We are the one who should bring

Our giving is but a reflex of God's giving. - Sam Storms

God’s giving

Acts 17:25 CSB

Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.

John 14:27 CSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

James 1:5 CSB

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

We have gotten things out of order

We gather, invest, store, save, and even hoard

We believe it is all our for the taking

We tell ourselves we will be generous if -

we save enough, all the bills are paid, retirement is set

If your not generous now you will not be then.

We need to get back to first things

Matthew 6:33 CSB

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

I believe this is why our lives get out of whack

Turn your Bible to Malachi 3

Let’s see how we can make First things First

Let’s pray

First Things First

As we rearrange our priorities and remove God form His rightful place in our lives and our culture and society we get turmoil.

As I said, we don't give we bring - God is the one who gives.

Three ways we can make first hings first again

First Things First

1. Bring What Belongs to God

Malachi 3:8–9 CSB

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” “How do we rob you?” you ask. “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me.

First Things First

1. Bring What Belongs to God

Tithe - tenth

We think God and the church just wants my money

Psalm 24:1 CSB

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;

First Things First

1. Bring What Belongs to God

It is already God’s

I cannot give something that is not mine, but I can bring it

Out of everything He ask for a tenth - this is just a starting point

Romans 12:1 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

NT does not give an amount but calls us to a heart of generosity and open handed living with everything - Finances just show where our hearts are.

It is a heart thing

First Things First

2. Bring it with the Proper Motive

2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB

Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

First Things First

2. Bring it with the Proper Motive

We don’t bless to be blessed

We don’t give to get

The widows 2 cents

Mark 12:43–44 CSB

Summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on.”

First Things First

2. Bring it with the Proper Motive

Someone just thought - Pastor said I only have to give 2 cents

It is a response - let the Spirit lead you in your bringing

God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. - Randy Alcorn

First Things First

3. Bring It in Faith

Malachi 3:10 CSB

Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

First Things First

3. Bring It in Faith

Bringing to God what is God’s takes-

Trust - even when it does not make sense - God is faithful

Belief - it is all His and His way is the best way

Understanding - I have been given so much how can I withhold anything?

Faith - the only thing that i Invest in that will last is His kingdom

I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ.

- David Livingstone

First things First

The question today is your life marked by chaos or peace?

Is it defined by getting or giving.

I made a mistake at the beginning of this message....

It was not about giving it is about bringing to God all that is his in our time, talent and treasure.

If your life seems in turmoil , I submit to you that you are not making first things first.

God must be the first thing we give to, turn to, trust in, and obey

Matthew 6:33 CSB

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.

- Corrie Ten Boom

How will you be measured?

What is first in your life?

Let today be the day we make First things First.

Let’s pray