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Psalm 84:10-12 and Prov. 11:24
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Do you happen to know how much of the Bible you have to read before you read that God gave something? The answer is 27 verses. Gen. 1:28 reads, “Let them have…” = give them. Also read 29. Notice that God demonstrates His generosity to Adam by giving him everything! In Psalm 84:10-12 notice that God does not keep anything good back from those who walk uprightly – or according to His laws. God does not squander nor waste His blessings on those who live a life and lifestyle contrary to what God desires. God’s blessings are rewards He extends to His adopted children who have given their heart and life in full surrender to Him. A Biblical truth that many people, even Christians, often forget is:
- YOU CAN TRUST GOD WITH YOUR MONEY! V. 12. I find it interesting that people come to the point where they trust God with their eternity, but often never get to the point where they feel they can trust Him with their wallet! Look at Rom. 11:33-36. Paul is asking the question, who has given a gift to God and not been repaid by God for the gift? Any person who has ever given any gift to God, money or otherwise, and has done so out of the desire of their heart – and because that individual realizes to some degree at least, the magnitude of all God has given them just in their salvation – will tell you that God has repaid them not just the principle but has also added interest in an exorbitant amount! Read a very familiar passage of Scripture in Malachi 3: 8-12. Malachi is the last book in the OT. Most everyone knows that a tithe or 10% was the OT standard for giving. Most people today believe if they are giving 10% of their money than their fulfilling the responsibility to God. Look again at v. 10. Notice God says, “bring the full tithe into the storehouse…” What do you think God means by “the full tithe?” If you go back to Lev. 27:30, you read that God tells the people “to bring every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, it is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.” The full tithe is all sources of income. Some people think that they need to tie only their primary source of income; and income from things like garage sales, tax refunds, the sale of all kinds of other property, and other sources of income are not subject to tithe. Read Acts 5 and you will see what God thinks of withholding from Him. The act of tithing is what puts God to the test. Do you see how God is saying you can trust Me with your money, and when you do it is a test so I can prove to you that I will be faithful and return more to you that you give to me, and I will do it so that all your needs are met. You just can’t out give God, no matter how much you give. There is another law of giving that is closely associated with being able to trust God with your money, and that law is:
- YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW! Read Prov. 11:24; 19:17; Psalm 37:21; and 2 Corinthians 9:6. Please notice that in each of these passages God’s spiritual law of giving is emphasized. You must give, before you can receive. I have discovered that almost 100% of the time when a person says, “I cannot afford to tithe,” they are bad money managers. Somebody once said, if you don’t give God His 10%, you don’t get to keep it either! And one way you check that out is – add up all your unexpected expenses in a year and see what percent of your income you’ve lost. We have been talking about biblical financial success principles. However, these principles apply to every part of our Christian life. If you’re praying to God for more grace, more mercy, more kindness, more patience, or more of anything else from God and those requests seem to be falling on deaf ears – may I suggest that you 1st start giving those things to others – listen to me – in the same amount you want God to give to you! Why am I telling you that? Because God says, “with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
