Heart for the House | Week 3 | Pastor Shane Johnston | Resonate Church

Devotional

Day 1: Declared God's children; becoming like Him.

See what great love the Father has lavished on you: you are called a child of God now, and that identity is both encouragement and challenge—God wants to affirm who you are today as His son or daughter and lead you into who you will become as you keep trusting and following Jesus. [36:05]

1 John 3:1-2 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Reflection: In what one concrete way can you live out your identity as God’s child this week (a forgiving conversation, a generous act, a moment of worship)? Pick one action and plan when you will do it.

Day 2: Tithing invites God's abundant provision.

Returning the first tenth to God is a spiritual practice that shifts the lens from scarcity to faith; when people take a step of trusting God with a tithe, the sermon names real stories of doors opening and God “throwing open the windows of heaven,” and invites a 90-day tithe challenge as a practical first step to test God’s faithfulness. [50:03]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
Bring the whole 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: Will you begin the 90-day tithe challenge today? Calculate 10% of your usual monthly income, write down that dollar amount, and set a calendar reminder for February 28 to review what you’ve seen God do.

Day 3: Faithfulness in little leads to greater trust.

A healthy stewardship begins by proving faithful with small things—honesty with little finances, consistent generosity, and trustworthy management of time and resources—and Scripture promises those faithful in little will be entrusted with much, so God tests and grows trust through everyday choices. [47:14]

Luke 16:10 (ESV)
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Reflection: What one small recurring responsibility or resource (a weekly budget item, a part of your schedule, or a simple task) will you steward faithfully this week? Name it and decide exactly how you will track your faithfulness by Sunday.

Day 4: Stewardship yields praise: well done, faithful servant.

Investing what God entrusts to you—talents, time, treasure—looks like risk and multiplication rather than burying what you fear to lose; when God’s people trade what they’ve been given for kingdom increase, the master pronounces “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and invites them into his joy. [47:14]

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)
For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Reflection: What gift, skill, or resource have you been hiding out of fear? Name it now and take one concrete step this week to invest it for God’s kingdom (sign up to serve, offer your skill, or give toward a mission) before Sunday.

Day 5: Small acts of generosity carry eternal reward.

Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant acts—like a cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name—matter to God and are noticed in eternity; generosity begins with simple, available acts and is also tied to the gospel, because God first gave His Son for us. [58:52]

Matthew 10:42 (ESV)
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Reflection: Who is one “little one” in your life today who could receive a simple act of kindness (a cool drink, a phone call, a ride, an invitation)? Choose one person and go do it right now.

Sermon Summary

We began by welcoming the Holy Spirit and lifting a shield of faith over our city, believing God for real breakthrough. I celebrated what God is doing through us together: Resonate’s Christmas Wishlist next Saturday where 350 children and their families will be loved extravagantly, and our Heart for the House miracle offering as we aim to fuel mission here, across our nation, and around the world. I thanked you for being a generous church—already saying yes to serving, already believing for radical impact—from Mozambique to Nepal to Guatemala.

From there, I called us out of a consumer posture and into a contributor life—what Scripture calls “truly life.” First John 3 reminds us that we are God’s children and we are becoming like Jesus. That means encouragement about who we are, and challenge toward who we’re called to be—especially in the way we handle money. I told a story about the Tron rollercoaster at Disney and how terror turned to joy the second time around. That’s what happens when we cross the threshold of fear into trust with God: we stop white-knuckling and start enjoying the ride of faith.

I taught four truths about generosity. One: God owns everything. This shatters both the world’s lie that “more will finally satisfy” and the enemy’s scarcity lie that “you’ll never have enough.” Two: we steward what’s His. Tithing—returning the first tenth to the storehouse—trains our hearts, not just our budgets. Rachel and I started tithing long before we met, and we’ve watched God throw open doors: Rachel’s private practice launched with full clients on day one; an employer paid me for six months while I volunteered at church. Three: God uses what we bring—to heal, feed, restore, and save. Chloe’s and Michael’s stories—and children rescued in Nepal—are living proof. Four: God blesses you because of it. Even a cup of cold water has a reward.

I invited anyone new to faith to trust Jesus—the One the Father gave for us—and many did. Then I asked all of us to respond: pray, ask God what obedience looks like, and, for those ready, take a 90-day tithe challenge. We’re praying with you for salvations, financial breakthrough, and healing. Let’s keep our hands open and our hearts on mission.

Key Takeaways

1. God owns everything; we are entrusted. This changes the felt weight of money. Ownership belongs to God; identity belongs to His children; anxiety has nowhere to root. It frees us from chasing “there” and from bowing to “not enough,” so we can live openhanded and purposeful. [41:04]
2. Steward faithfully with first and best. Tithing isn’t about God needing my money; it’s about God leading my loves. Returning the first tenth reorders my desires and trains my trust, week after week. Faithfulness with little becomes God’s classroom for more meaningful responsibility. [47:14]
3. Move from white-knuckle to joy. Obedience often feels like a drop from a great height—until you learn to trust the rail. Crossing that threshold in generosity turns fear into freedom and duty into delight. Try it, and watch your heart catch up to your hands. [38:11]
4. God uses generosity to rescue people. Your offering becomes groceries, counseling, a guitar for worship, a safe bed in Nepal—and the living gospel in someone’s story. You may never meet them here, but heaven will be crowded with your quiet yes. Eternity keeps the ledger of love. [57:17]
5. Open hands invite unexpected blessing. God measures back with the same measure—and more—not as a vending machine, but as a Father forming generous sons and daughters. Provision shows up in ways you can’t script: clients, favor, open doors. Blessing enlarges capacity, not just accounts. [58:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:30] - Christmas Wishlist vision and prayer
[31:20] - Heart for the House and global mission
[33:29] - Miraculous Blessing: from consumer to contributor
[36:05] - The Tron ride and courage to trust
[38:11] - What is truly life: God-first living
[41:04] - God owns everything: breaking lies
[44:44] - Parenting abundance over scarcity
[47:14] - We steward: tithe and trust
[50:03] - Floodgates: early marriage provision stories
[53:59] - The 90-Day Tithe Challenge
[55:46] - God uses it: lives transformed
[58:52] - God blesses you because of it
[60:23] - Invitation to follow Jesus
[63:41] - Commitments, giving, and worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
1 John 3:1-3
1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Observation questions

Read 1 John 3:1-2 again. What two things does John say about believers (look for the repeated “we are” and “we will be”)? How did the pastor use that “we are / we will be” pattern to encourage and to challenge the church? [33:29]
The sermon said “God owns everything” as a foundation for healthy money life. What images or scriptures were used in the message to explain that idea (for example: Psalm 24, David’s prayer)? How might that change the felt weight of money for someone? [41:04]
What practical acts of stewardship did the pastor describe (tithe, offering, 90-day challenge)? Which concrete examples/stories did he give of doors opening after people practiced this? [47:14] [50:03]
What examples did the pastor give of God using our generosity to rescue and transform lives (local stories and overseas ministries)? How does that connect back to the idea that our identity is “sons and daughters” on mission? [57:17]

Interpretation questions

How should the truth “we are God’s children now” affect the way a Christian thinks about money and possessions in ordinary decisions? Be specific about at least two daily choices (spending, saving, giving, teaching kids). [33:29]
The pastor argued that tithing (returning the first tenth) trains the heart. What might it mean, in practical terms, for tithing to reorder someone’s loves and desires over 90 days? [47:14]
The sermon warned against two lies: the world’s “more will satisfy” and the devil’s “you’ll never have enough.” How do these two lies show up differently in people’s behavior? How would embracing “God owns everything” correct each of those behaviors? [41:04]
The pastor said God blesses generosity “not as a vending machine, but as a Father forming generous sons and daughters.” What does this analogy imply about expectations and timing when people give? How should a church leader pastor someone who feels giving should immediately produce a material return? [58:52]

Application questions

The pastor invited people to a 90-day tithe challenge (start today and review on Feb 28). Will you try it for 90 days? If yes, write down what 10% of your regular income looks like (approximate is fine) and one specific thing you’re asking God for during this period. Share that with your group or a trusted accountability partner. [53:59]
Where do you find yourself “white-knuckling” faith—what area feels scary to trust God with (finances, time, relationships, career)? Name one concrete step you will take this week to move past fear toward trust (example: set a giving amount, pray with your spouse, talk to a staff person). [38:11]
The pastor suggested changing family language from “we can’t afford that” to teaching abundance and putting items on a wish list. What exact phrase will you use this week with your kids or spouse the next time they ask for something you won’t buy now? Practise that phrase out loud with the group. [44:44]
Identify one ministry, mission, or person (local or global) you will support this year with regular giving because of the sermon’s examples. What specific dollar amount or frequency can you commit to for the next three months? [57:17]
The sermon linked identity (“children of God”) to action (generosity). What is one habit you will start this month to help align your heart and hands (examples: monthly budgeting that starts with 10% for the church, a weekly “gratitude and giving” prayer, or a kids’ allowance plan that teaches stewardship)? Be specific about when you’ll start and how you’ll track it. [47:14]
If you’re not yet trusting Jesus (the pastor invited people to begin a relationship with Christ), who in this group will you tell this week about your decision or next step—either to pray together or to meet a pastor/staff person for follow-up? What day will you do that? [01:00:23]
If you began tithing or increasing your giving in the past because of a story like the ones shared, how did God bless or change you? Share one concrete way God responded so the group can encourage one another to keep trusting. [50:03]

Sermon Clips

You ever notice it's this way in your faith life often where God calls you to another level of faith and as he's calling you past that threshold that seems so scary at first you're like I'm just white knuckling it I've never trusted God in this way I've never trusted God in my finances I'm not sure I want to this seems like a lot higher and a lot faster than I ever thought I'd go but something happens when you begin to realize oh this is life that is truly life as the Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy this is the meaning of what is truly life it's not life for ourselves it's life where God is first. [00:38:41] (39 seconds) #LifeWithGodFirst

A healthy lifestyle with money with resources with wealth begins when we understand that God owns everything now we live in a culture of course that that presents a very different reality the reality that culture holds for for us is that if one day you get there who knows what there is but it's somewhere out there it's a certain number it's a certain amount and if you get to there you will actually be happy and it's this I'm never going to be able to reach that number that constantly changes in fact if you went and you asked people and you polled people what's that number that you'd need to have to be fully secure and fully happy you know that number keeps rising up with no matter how much you have in your bank account. [00:40:28] (42 seconds) #WealthBeyondNumbers

Today maybe you're here and you carry that weight of I just depend on me and you can be broke and feel that way and a stress in your finances but you can be rich and feel that way and a weight and a stress in your finances and today I believe a healthy relationship with money starts when we say God actually owns it all I don't need to walk in fear I don't need to walk in scarcity no my God has all God doesn't call us to a life of generosity because he needs what you have he invites you to become like him in generosity in giving in a life that is beyond ourselves. [00:44:07] (40 seconds) #GenerosityReflectsGod

Once we settle in our hearts that God owns it we gotta ask well then how do I steward what he's given me and primarily in scripture there's two ways that we steward finances and we steward resources the first is this scripture points to number one a tithe or giving God a tenth a tithe simply means tenth not just any tenth the first tenth of all of our increase Malachi 3.10 says it this way bring the whole tithe not a little bit of it into the storehouse that there may be food in my house and God says test me in this 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. [00:47:57] (39 seconds) #TitheOpensHeaven

For Rach and I I'm thankful that long before we met we both started this practice I started this practice when I worked at Winners and it just started giving God the first tenth of everything I had Rach started when she worked in the offices of some chiropractors answering the phone I just you know that's when we first met and I was like I just feel like I need to go to the chiropractor every day every day I need to see see a different chiropractor I'm glad we had established that long before we met because then it wasn't a question when we came together that this is what we do and we would say this that the greatest miracles that we've ever seen in our life have been in the area of finances and God's miracle blessing. [00:48:56] (42 seconds) #TitheMiracles

I want to encourage your faith because I genuinely believe if you catch this I want to help you be that right operator that says maybe you go a second time and rather than it just being such a fearful thing you'd be like actually this is life that's life so for Rach and I tithing was always a practice and I remember how God threw open the floodgates of heaven you remember how Malachi said see if I test me in this see if I won't throw open the floodgates of heaven I mean you're in a house right now maybe you got some young kids where doors get flown open from time to time you almost get hit in the face you got to keep your note like kids are running around chasing one another playing tag and sometimes you get a door and it'll just swing right open and almost catch you in the face you got to keep your eyes open that's the that's the vicious imagery of Malachi 310 that God says hey if you test me in this you better keep your nose up because I'm going to throw open a door and be so much blessing you won't be able to contain it. [00:49:45] (56 seconds) #BraceForBlessings

The friend said I'm going to help you set up your website I'm going to help you with your billing know what software you need I'm going to help you know all the legal side of setting up your company and we're like we didn't even do anything what was that that was God throwing open a door in heaven you're like I got to watch out that almost hit me in the face that's only God I told this story last week again give God all the glory and when I quit my job to volunteer at our church full time for a period that God we felt God had called us to my boss who was not Christian and not overly generous said I want to keep paying you and for six months as I volunteered at my church they would deposit two paychecks a month into our account and every month I would say I'm not coming back and they'd say we're just going to keep on doing it what was that that was God throwing open a door in heaven and saying listen this won't even make sense. [00:52:10] (49 seconds) #GodOpensDoors

Some of you you're like I don't know how God would provide for me I'm an employee on this fixed income job I don't know how God could work a miracle I just here's what I know this is not a principle that I believe in because I heard about at one time this is a ride we've been riding for a long time and we got our arms up and we're like let's go we've seen God do it before he can do it again and we started at the tithe and we number two we stepped into bringing an offering which is over and above the tithe so the tithe is returning to God what's God's it's actually not even giving it's returning to God giving starts when we give an offering. [00:52:59] (32 seconds) #GivingBeyondTithe

Here's what I want to do today I want to be a help if you're saying I want to I want to try God in this I want to try God with a tithe here's what I want to say like that ride operator saying give it a try I want to invite you to give it a try take 90 days and do a 90 day tithe challenge 90 days from now is February the 28th I'm no longer an accountant it may be a day or two ahead or behind that I no longer care that much about the accounting of those numbers no it's the 28th of February set it in your calendar begin today figure out what 10% is or approximately maybe you're on commission start today maybe you're one of those people who just found resonate in the past number of months and you've been kind of kicking the tires on church and now it's become your home church we'll start today so I'm going to do a 90 day tithe challenge and on February 28th have an alarm go off on your phone and just ask yourself the question has God blessed my life can I see God he's been faithful he threw open the doors of heaven and he's poured blessing into my life that I can't contain. [00:53:59] (63 seconds) #90DayTitheChallenge

If you've ever sown an offering or given a tithe here at Resonate Church that's on you you put food in God's house one day you'll get to heaven and someone's gonna come running up to you and they say hey you transformed my life and you're like I don't even know you how did I transform your life? and they say well I was living on the streets of Pekara four years old I was abandoned by my parents and I had nowhere to go and just living on the streets of Nepal but because you were part of that church that had a vision to reach beyond them into the city and into the world and into all the world then your money made it all the way to almost Tibet and as a result of that I got brought into a home with 80 other people who've been rescued off the streets and in a country where you're not allowed to preach Jesus I became a part of this whole group of people that discovered Jesus and I'm standing here today because of a difference that you made in my life. [00:57:10] (52 seconds) #GivingTransformsLives

``God owns it we steward it and then the miracle is that God uses it God owns it we steward it he uses it but then there's still one more miracle truth about generosity are you ready for the fourth one number four is this it would be fine if God stopped at three and just used it that would be enough but number four is this God blesses you because of it and that's just so God isn't it he blesses you because of it scripture says with the measure you use it will be measured to you and even more so if you bring a one liter jug and you pour that out God's like let me go get a liter jug and then why don't I just get a wheelbarrow because I'm going to bless you with even more than you than you use. [00:58:01] (49 seconds) #GodUsesAndBlesses

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