Life is good for the one who is generous and charitable, conducting affairs with honesty and truth. Psalms 112:5 TPT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors 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?’ Malachi 3:6-7 NIV
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ Malachi 3:8 NIV
“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:8-9 NIV
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 there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12 NIV
3 UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT TITHING
1. TITHING IS A TEST
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 there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 NIV
2. TITHING IS BIBLICAL
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20 NIV
this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me. Genesis 28:22 NLT
One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. Leviticus 27:30 NLT
And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. Deuteronomy 26:1-2 NKJV
then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me. Deuteronomy 26:13-14 NKJV
Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us… Deuteronomy 26:15 NKJV
“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. Mathew 23:23
3. TITHING IS A BLESSING
Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 31:4 NKJV
As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. And the children of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, brought the tithe of oxen and sheep; also the tithe of holy things which were consecrated to the Lord their God they laid in heaps. In the third month they began laying them in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month. 2 Chronicles 31:5-7 NKJV
And when Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and His people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest, from the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed His people; and what is left is this great abundance. 2 Chronicles 31:8-10 NKJV
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Level 1: Initial Giver… What do I do with my stuff?
Level 2: Consistent Giver… What do I do with God’s stuff? .
Level 3: Intentional Giver… What does God want me to do with God’s stuff?
Level 4: Spiritual Giver… What does God want me to GIVE from what GOD has provided?
Level 5: Surrendered Giver… What does God want me to KEEP from what GOD has provided?
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:25-26 NLT
Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. Psalms 106:3 NIV
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. Psalms 106:4-5 NIV
You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 NIV
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 NIV
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 NIV
HOW TO DEVELOP A HEART OF GENEROSITY
But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NLT
1. DEAL WITH A SELFISH HEART
Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Deuteronomy 15:9
WHY DID GOD INVENT GIVING?
GIVING OVER ANY OTHER ACTIVITY WORKS SELFISHNESS AND GREED OUT OF OUR HEARTS
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2 NLT
when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3 NLT
2. DEAL WITH A GRIEVING HEART
Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. Deuteronomy 15:10 NLT
HOW DO YOU COMBAT GRIEF?
YOU HAVE THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE REGARDING “YOUR” MONEY
3. DEVELOP A GENEROUS HEART
Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 15:14 NLT
HOW DO YOU WALK IN GENEROSITY?
BY RENEWING OUR MINDS
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 NLT
A heart touched by God desires to give
“I know that when I take time to talk to God and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit I feel alive and life is joyous and exciting.” Peter Marshall
It is time for people to quit wandering, and it is time for people to connect with their God-given purpose.
“We are not saved to go to heaven. If so, why didn't we go to heaven right then? Heaven is a by-product. We are saved to tell others and to let Jesus Christ live in us.” -Jimmy Draper
4. DEVELOP A GRATEFUL HEART
Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command. Deuteronomy 15:15 NLT
live each day with holy awe and reverence throughout your time on earth. For you know that your lives were ransomed once and for all from the empty and futile way of life handed down from generation to generation. It was not a ransom payment of silver and gold, which eventually perishes, but the precious blood of Christ—who like a spotless, unblemished lamb was sacrificed for us. 1 Peter 1:17-19 TPT
What am I doing?! – Purpose
“Why am I here”
Purpose
Do you feel like you are living in the purpose God designed you to live in?
1. You’re blatantly living in sin
“don’t let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to god, for your were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of god.” Romans 6:12-13 NLT
2. You lack joy and excitement
3. You don’t feel much fulfillment in life
4. You feel stuck
5. You have no direction
A life of purpose brings focus
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
We will find our purpose less in what we do and more in what we are willing to surrender
Surrender leads to obedience and obedience fuels our purpose
“Its in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for…part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11 MSG
“Your will be done” Matthew 6:10
Who we are doesn’t flow from what we do…what we do flows from who we are
“Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph – a beautiful robe.” Genesis 37:3 NLT
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Genesis 37:4 NIV
“…listen to this dream, he said, “we were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” and they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.” Genesis 37:6-8 NLT
“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.” Genesis 39:2-4 NLT
“…now Joseph was well-built and handsome…” Genesis 39:6 NIV
“Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.” Genesis 39:7
“Look, he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” Genesis 39:8-9 NLT
“she grabbed him by his cloak demanding, “come on sleep with me!” joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said “ my husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.” Genesis 39:12-18 NLT
If you ever feel like “Nothing gold can stay” that’s an indicator that you’re living in YOUR will not HIS
“but the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.” Genesis 39:21 NLT
“Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” Genesis 39:22-23 NLT
God wants to use you in every situation you are in
“I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”
“it is beyond my power to do this,” joseph replied. “but God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” Genesis 41:15-16 NLT
“Therefore, pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one fifth of the crops during the seven good years. Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away , and guard it so there will be food in the cities. That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.” Genesis 41:33-36 NLT
Our purpose is not found in a thing that we do, but rather in the type of life that we live
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..” 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV
1. What will be the most important thing in my life?
Whatever is at the center of your life…is your God
Is Christ TRULY at the center of your life?
2. What will be the character of my life?
We take who we are into eternity…not what we did
The Fruits of the Spirit
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self Control
3. What will be the contributions of my life?
“…I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last…” John 15:16 NIV
4. What will be the communication of my life?
YOU WILL ONLY RISE UP TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR IDENTITY
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT
YOU MUST SWITCH FROM PITY TO POTENTIAL IF YOU ARE GOING TO GROW IN LIFE.
'These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7 NLT
A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. Ecclesiastes 7:1 NLT
GOD IS LESS CONCERNED WITH OUR SHORT-TERM HAPPINESS AS HE IS WITH OUR CHARACTER.
1. GOOD TIMES CAN BE DECEPTIVE
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NLT
'Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalms 90:12 NLT
“Life is like a parachute jump; you've got to get it right the first time” Elenor Roosevelt
…for sadness has a refining influence on us. Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT
Sorrow is better than laughter… Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT
THE KEY TO RESILIENCE IN LIFE AND EFFECTIVENESS IS BEING NEUTRAL
2. HARD TIMES BRING WISDOM
'A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:4-5 NLT
THE SAD REALITY IS TOO MANY CHRISTIANS WALK AROUND WITH A NARCISSISTIC SPIRITUALITY
“God cannot use a man until he has hurt him deeply.” A. W. Tozer
For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:6 NLT
A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 7:6 NLT
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 NLT
3. WISDOM BRINGS PROTECTION
'Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. Ecclesiastes 7:12 NLT
'And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26 NLT
Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 NLT
'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
'How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. Ecclesiastes 8:1 NLT
Are you spending time with God?
Are you diving into the word of God?
Are you selflessly serving?
Are you intentionally doing life with life-giving people?
Are you making church a priority for your family?
Are you walking in the will of God?
Are you living at peace with others to the best of your ability?
'At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:46 NLT
'Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 NLTå
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD LIES BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS
'I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:19 NLT
WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS INEQUITY IN THE WORLD?
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. Ecclesiastes 3:16 NIV
'I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV
'The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT
WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS OPPRESSION IN THE WORLD?
'Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. Ecclesiastes 4:1 NIV
And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:2-3 NIV
WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS RIVALRY IN THE WORLD?
'And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 NIV
Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:5-6 NIV
WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE IT’S THINGS OVER PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD?
'Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 NIV
'Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE POPULARITY IS SO IMPORTANT IN THE WORLD?
'Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 NIV
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THESE FEELNGS?
THERE ARE TWO WAYS WE LEARN IN LIFE
1. WE LEARN THINGS IN RETROSPECT
2. WE LEARN THINGS BY WISDOM
YOUR ATTITUDE IS THE RUDDER THAT GUIDES YOUR LIFE
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Ecclesiastes 5:1 NIV
'Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV
'God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!; “Be still, and know that I am God! Psalms 46:1-3,10 NLT