Faithful Stewardship: The Power of Tithing and Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: The Principle of Tithing

Tithing is a biblical mandate where 10% of our income belongs to God and should be given to the local church. This act of obedience ensures that the church has the resources to fulfill its mission. Everything we have is because of God's grace, and acknowledging this through tithing aligns us with His will. Tithing is not just a financial transaction but a spiritual discipline that reflects our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His work. By giving the first 10% of our income, we are declaring that God is our priority and that we trust Him to meet our needs.

Tithing also serves as a reminder that everything we have comes from God. It is an act of worship that acknowledges His sovereignty over our lives and resources. When we tithe, we are participating in God's economy, which operates on principles of generosity and faith. This practice helps us to develop a heart of gratitude and a spirit of generosity, both of which are essential for spiritual growth. [19:10]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

Reflection: How does tithing challenge your trust in God's provision, and what steps can you take to make it a regular practice in your life?

Day 2: Sacrificial Commitment

True commitment to God's work often requires personal sacrifice. Angie and I have depleted our retirement savings to support the church's mission, illustrating that expanding God's kingdom demands significant dedication. This is not about seeking pity but about demonstrating the level of investment required. Sacrificial giving is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's provision. It shows that we are willing to put God's mission above our own comfort and security.

Sacrificial commitment is not just about financial giving; it also involves giving our time, talents, and energy to God's work. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zones and make personal sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. This kind of commitment is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of God's love and the depth of our faith. [26:16]

2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can make a sacrificial commitment to God's work, and how can you take a step towards that today?

Day 3: Empowering the Next Generation

The church must focus on raising and empowering the next generation. This involves giving ministry away and not holding onto it out of insecurity. We need to invest in young people, allowing them to lead and grow in their faith, ensuring the future of the church. Empowering the next generation means providing them with opportunities to serve, lead, and make a difference. It requires us to mentor and disciple them, helping them to develop their gifts and calling.

Empowering the next generation is crucial for the sustainability and growth of the church. It ensures that the church remains vibrant and relevant in a changing world. By investing in young people, we are investing in the future of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. [45:09]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: How can you actively support and empower the next generation in your church, and what specific steps can you take to mentor or disciple a young person?

Day 4: The Power of Corporate Prayer

A church that God blesses is one that prays together fervently. Corporate prayer has the power to bring about significant change in our lives, communities, and nations. We must believe in and practice the power of prayer, not just individually but as a united body. Corporate prayer unites us in purpose and aligns our hearts with God's will. It is a powerful expression of our dependence on God and our desire to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Corporate prayer also strengthens the bonds of fellowship within the church. It fosters a sense of community and mutual support as we come together to seek God's guidance and intervention. When we pray together, we are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have a spiritual family that stands with us in faith. [51:35]

Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Reflection: How can you make corporate prayer a more integral part of your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to participate in or organize a prayer group in your church?

Day 5: The Authority in Jesus' Name

The name of Jesus is a powerful spiritual weapon. It holds authority over all things, including sickness, disease, and spiritual forces. We must use this name in our prayers and daily lives to access the full power and authority that God has given us. The name of Jesus is not just a label; it represents His character, power, and authority. When we pray in Jesus' name, we are invoking His authority and aligning our prayers with His will.

Using the name of Jesus in our prayers is a declaration of faith in His power and sovereignty. It is an acknowledgment that He is Lord over every situation and that His name has the power to bring healing, deliverance, and transformation. As believers, we have been given the authority to use His name, and we must wield it with confidence and faith. [01:06:50]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to exercise the authority of Jesus' name, and how can you begin to do so in your prayers and daily actions?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church family! Today, we delved into the importance of tithing and the spiritual principles behind it. We began by celebrating our worship team and acknowledging the transitions within our church leadership. We then moved into a discussion about tithing, emphasizing that everything we have belongs to God. The tithe, which is 10%, is not ours to distribute as we please but belongs to the storehouse, the local church, to ensure that God's work can continue effectively.

We also touched on the importance of unity and the power of the local church. I shared a personal story about the sacrifices Angie and I have made, including depleting our retirement savings, to emphasize our commitment to this ministry. This is not to evoke pity but to illustrate the level of dedication required to expand God's kingdom.

We then transitioned to hearing testimonies from our young people, which highlighted the need for the church to focus on introducing people to Jesus, not just the church. This led to a broader discussion about the kind of church God blesses—a church that prays fervently, focuses on others, and empowers the next generation. We need to be a praying church, one that believes in the power of corporate prayer and is committed to seeing God's will done on earth as it is in heaven.

Finally, we discussed the spiritual weapon we have in the name of Jesus. This name is above all other names and holds the power to heal, save, and protect. We must wield this name with authority in our prayers and daily lives. As we concluded, I invited those who do not know Jesus to make a commitment to follow Him, emphasizing that this decision brings a transformation that allows us to bring heaven to earth.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Principle of Tithing: Tithing is a biblical mandate where 10% of our income belongs to God and should be given to the local church. This act of obedience ensures that the church has the resources to fulfill its mission. Everything we have is because of God's grace, and acknowledging this through tithing aligns us with His will. [19:10]
2. Sacrificial Commitment: True commitment to God's work often requires personal sacrifice. Angie and I have depleted our retirement savings to support the church's mission, illustrating that expanding God's kingdom demands significant dedication. This is not about seeking pity but about demonstrating the level of investment required. [26:16]
3. Empowering the Next Generation: The church must focus on raising and empowering the next generation. This involves giving ministry away and not holding onto it out of insecurity. We need to invest in young people, allowing them to lead and grow in their faith, ensuring the future of the church. [45:09]
4. The Power of Corporate Prayer: A church that God blesses is one that prays together fervently. Corporate prayer has the power to bring about significant change in our lives, communities, and nations. We must believe in and practice the power of prayer, not just individually but as a united body. [51:35]
5. The Authority in Jesus' Name: The name of Jesus is a powerful spiritual weapon. It holds authority over all things, including sickness, disease, and spiritual forces. We must use this name in our prayers and daily lives to access the full power and authority that God has given us. [01:06:50]
### [66:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:23] - Worship and Announcements
[18:19] - Leadership Transitions
[19:10] - The Principle of Tithing
[20:00] - Biblical Foundation of Tithing
[21:23] - Addressing Controversies
[22:20] - Jesus on Tithing
[23:13] - The Storehouse Principle
[23:59] - Ways to Give
[24:41] - Personal Sacrifices
[26:16] - Commitment to the Mission
[27:59] - Call to Action
[28:48] - Conviction vs. Condemnation
[29:29] - Offering Prayer
[33:01] - Youth Testimonies
[38:12] - Introducing People to Jesus
[45:09] - Empowering the Next Generation
[50:13] - The Kind of Church God Blesses
[51:35] - The Power of Corporate Prayer
[57:43] - Focus on Others and Missions
[60:06] - Repossessing Territory
[66:50] - The Authority in Jesus' Name
[71:34] - Call to Commitment
[75:49] - Worship and Communion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Malachi 3:10, what does God promise to do if we bring the whole tithe into the storehouse?
In Matthew 23:23, what does Jesus say the Pharisees are neglecting while they tithe?
What does Philippians 2:9-11 say about the name of Jesus and its significance?
In the sermon, what personal sacrifices did the pastor mention to illustrate commitment to God's work? [26:16]

Interpretation Questions

How does the principle of tithing, as described in Malachi 3:10, align with the idea that everything we have belongs to God? [19:10]
Why do you think Jesus emphasized both tithing and practicing justice, mercy, and faithfulness in Matthew 23:23? How can this balance be applied in our lives?
What does it mean for the name of Jesus to be above every other name, and how should this influence our prayers and daily lives? [01:06:50]
How does the pastor's story of personal sacrifice challenge our understanding of commitment to the church and God's mission? [26:16]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current practice of tithing. Are you bringing the whole tithe into the storehouse, or are you dividing it among various causes? How can you align your giving with the biblical principle discussed in the sermon? [23:13]
The pastor mentioned the importance of empowering the next generation. How can you personally invest in and mentor young people in your church community? [45:09]
Corporate prayer was highlighted as a powerful tool for change. How often do you participate in corporate prayer, and what steps can you take to be more involved in your church's prayer meetings? [51:35]
The sermon emphasized the authority in Jesus' name. How can you incorporate the name of Jesus more intentionally in your prayers and daily challenges? [01:06:50]
The pastor shared about the need for sacrificial commitment. What is one area in your life where you can make a personal sacrifice to support your church's mission? [26:16]
The sermon discussed the importance of focusing on others and missions. Identify one specific way you can contribute to your church's outreach efforts in the coming month. [57:43]
Reflect on the pastor's call to introduce people to Jesus rather than just the church. How can you improve in sharing your faith and making Jesus known in your daily interactions? [38:12]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Everything you have belongs to God. Everything you have is because of God. Everything you'll ever walk in is because of His grace. In His mercy, He gave it all to you. It's kind of like when you have kids, because we are His kids, it's Anjanai's house, but we let them live there. Isn't that nice of us?" [19:10] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you want to be free in your finances, you can follow all kinds of amazing gurus on finances to get out of your dilemma. But until you do the first principles that God teaches, you're only going to go so far." [21:23] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I believe that when we come together and pray, if we'll humble ourselves, if we'll pray that God will hear us from heaven and He'll heal our land. Anybody think our land needs some healing? God tells you how it's going to happen, not by complaining and criticizing about it. Not about posting about it on social media. Not about gossiping about it with your friends. It comes by when we hit our knees and pray and ask for God's will and way in our lives and in our relationships." [51:35] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus came and took our sin. Listen, he came to take the sin so it would stop dominating our life. It would stop being a barrier between us and God. The byproduct and fruit of that is one day when we leave this life. We go into eternity. But I want you to understand this truth. Jesus did not come and give his life only so you can go to heaven. That's a great, wonderful blessing that we'll be shouting for for all eternity. But he came to take you out of a kingdom of darkness and put you into a kingdom of light." [01:20:14] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The child of the king is supposed to bring heaven to earth everywhere he or she goes. You can't do that if you don't know him and you aren't a part of his kingdom." [01:20:14] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Biblically speaking, the tithe is not yours to do with what you choose. That's alms. That's generosity. The tithe belongs to the house and is in the storehouse so that there's plenty in the house to do all the things that God has equipped his church to do. I believe in the power. The power of the local church and the unity of the local church to band together, to get some things done." [23:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you're discouraged, if you're discontented, if you're kind of disappointed with church, and you've been a part of church for a long time, maybe it's time that you just don't occupy a chair. Maybe it's time that you invest in someone who's in need and see that your passion changes, that your temperament changes." [46:22] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The kind of house that God blesses, number one, is a house that prays and a person that prays. And I mean, not a just a little, now I lay me down to sleep kind of prayer. I'm talking about a prayer that's got some conviction and some spiritual authority attached to it that's ready to enforce Jesus' victory, kick the devil in the teeth, and take some territory back that the enemy stole." [50:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "A church that God blesses is a church that empowers the next generation. We're not going to Zanesville because we're bored. We're going there to raise up another generation. It's going to mean that some of this congregation, some of the people here, you don't see as much anymore. We're going to make room in this place. We're going to free up some seats. Don't worry about that." [01:04:00] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have a weapon at your disposal. A spiritual weapon. And it's the greatest weapon that the enemy does not want you to know about. And it is the power that is locked up in the name of Jesus. God has given to the church the name of Jesus." [01:06:50] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?