Steps of Faith: What Will We Put In God's Hands (Worship 10/12/25)

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God with Our Tithes and Offerings

Giving and tithing is not ultimately about money, but about trusting God to do what He promises when we place our resources in His hands. When we bring our tithes and offerings, we are invited to test God’s faithfulness, believing that He will provide and bless in ways we may not expect. The act of giving is a tangible expression of our trust in the One who created us, redeemed us, and has good plans for our future. Will we trust Him enough to give our first and best, not just what is left over? [48:13]

Malachi 3:8-10 (ESV)
“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 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: What is one area of your finances or resources where you have hesitated to trust God fully? What would it look like to place that area in His hands this week?

Day 2: Giving as an Act of Worship

True worship is not about empty rituals or simply checking off religious duties, but about offering God our sincere hearts and our best in every area of life—including our giving. God desires that our stewardship of time, talents, and treasures flows from a heart of love and devotion, not obligation. When we give, we are worshiping God, declaring that He is worthy of our first and our best, not just our leftovers. [52:09]

Matthew 22:37 (ESV)
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally make your giving—of time, talents, or treasures—an act of heartfelt worship to God this week?

Day 3: The Power of Small Offerings in God’s Hands

No gift is too small when placed in God’s hands; even the smallest offering, given with a sincere heart, can be multiplied for His kingdom in ways we cannot imagine. Like Hattie Mae Wyatt’s 57 cents, what we offer may seem insignificant to us, but God can use it to bless generations and expand His work far beyond our sight. The question is not how much we have, but whether we are willing to give our best, trusting God to do the rest. [57:42]

John 6:9-13 (ESV)
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

Reflection: What is one “small” gift—of time, encouragement, or resources—you can offer to God this week, trusting Him to multiply it for His purposes?

Day 4: Our Responsibility to Raise the Next Generation in Faith

As a church family, we are called to come alongside parents and one another to nurture children and youth in the faith, teaching them who Jesus is and why following Him matters. This responsibility is not just for parents, but for the whole community, to pour into the next generation with patience, joy, and perseverance, so that they too may one day choose to follow Christ. [14:26]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Reflection: Who is one child or young person in your church or community you can encourage or invest in this week, helping them grow in faith?

Day 5: Giving God Our Best, Not Our Leftovers

God calls us to give Him our best in every area of life, not just what remains after we have satisfied our own desires or obligations. Whether it is our time, our talents, or our treasures, we are invited to offer the first and finest to God, trusting that He will use it to build His kingdom and bless others. Giving our best is an act of love and gratitude, a response to God’s never-ending love for us. [54:50]

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can give God your “firstfruits”—your best—this week, rather than your leftovers?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate the sacrament of baptism, welcoming young Lennon Wells into our community and reaffirming our shared responsibility to nurture all our children in faith. Baptism is a powerful reminder of God’s saving grace, the gift of new life, and our call to walk together as a family of faith. As we held Lennon and prayed over her, we were reminded that our commitment extends beyond her parents—it is a vow we all share to teach, encourage, and model the love of Christ for the next generation.

This spirit of shared responsibility carried into our reflection on stewardship and consecration. We looked back with gratitude at the ways God has moved in our midst this past year—through growing worship attendance, expanded outreach, and generous giving that has enabled us to serve both our local community and the world beyond. Yet, as we celebrate, we also look forward, recognizing that God’s call on our lives and our church is ever-growing. The needs are greater, the opportunities more abundant, and the invitation to participate in God’s work is extended to each of us.

Turning to Malachi 3, we heard God’s challenge and promise: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing…” This is not a matter of money, but of trust. God invites us to place our resources—our time, talents, and treasures—into His hands, trusting that He will use them for His kingdom and pour out blessings in ways we cannot predict. The stories of faithful giving, from a business owner’s journey to a little girl’s 57 cents, remind us that God multiplies what we entrust to Him, often in ways that ripple far beyond our imagination.

Ultimately, giving is an act of worship. It is about offering God our best, not our leftovers, and aligning our hearts with His purposes. As we consider what to place in God’s hands this year, may we do so with joy, faith, and a desire to see His kingdom flourish—here at Asbury, in our community, and to the ends of the earth.

Key Takeaways

1. Baptism and Community Responsibility: Baptism is not just a family milestone but a communal commitment. Each member of the church is called to actively participate in nurturing the faith of our children, modeling Christ’s love, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to know and follow Jesus. This shared responsibility is a sacred trust that shapes the future of our faith community. [14:02]
2. Stewardship Is Rooted in Trust, Not Finances: The call to tithe and give is fundamentally a question of trust, not of money. God challenges us to “test” Him by bringing our full tithe, promising to provide and bless in return. The act of giving reveals where our trust truly lies—whether in our own resources or in God’s faithfulness to provide for all our needs. [47:50]
3. God Multiplies What We Place in His Hands: The stories of the business owner and Hattie Mae Wyatt illustrate that God can take even the smallest or most sacrificial gifts and multiply them for His purposes. When we surrender what we have—whether it’s a tithe, a talent, or a handful of pennies—God uses it to build His kingdom in ways that far exceed our expectations. [56:08]
4. Giving Is an Act of Worship, Not Ritual: True worship is not found in empty rituals or giving out of obligation, but in sincere hearts that offer God their best. Our stewardship—of time, talents, and treasures—is an expression of our love for God and our desire to honor Him above all else. We are called to give intentionally, joyfully, and with a heart of worship. [52:09]
5. Our Legacy Is Shaped by What We Place in God’s Hands: The impact of our giving extends beyond our own lifetimes. What we entrust to God today—our resources, our service, our faith—can become a legacy that blesses future generations, advances the gospel, and continues to bear fruit long after we are gone. The question is not how much we give, but whether we are willing to place our best in God’s hands for His glory. [01:00:07]
** [60:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:35] - Baptismal Vows and Community Commitment
[14:56] - The Meaning of Baptism and Water
[15:50] - Baptism of Lennon Wells
[16:07] - Introducing Lennon to the Church Family
[16:48] - Our Responsibility to Raise Children in Faith
[18:02] - Baptismal Gifts and the Jar of Beads
[31:57] - Consecration Sunday and Celebrating God’s Work
[34:11] - The Purpose of Pledging and Budget Growth
[36:34] - Scripture Reading: Malachi 3
[39:03] - A Conversation About Tithing
[41:51] - The Business Owner’s Tithing Journey
[45:15] - Stewardship: Time, Talents, and Treasures
[47:20] - Two Principles of Giving: Trust and Worship
[52:09] - Giving as Worship, Not Ritual
[54:50] - The Story of Hattie Mae Wyatt’s 57 Cents
[58:03] - What Will We Place in God’s Hands?
[59:08] - Commitment and Invitation to Give
[60:07] - The Legacy of Faithful Giving
[61:50] - Closing Worship and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Malachi 3:8-10 (ESV) — > Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 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.

Observation Questions

According to Malachi 3:8-10, what does God challenge His people to do, and what promise does He make if they obey?
In the sermon, what was the significance of the church family’s vow during Lennon’s baptism? [[14:02]]
What examples did the pastor give to show how God multiplies what we place in His hands? [[56:08]]
How did the people in Malachi’s time fall short in their worship and giving? [[52:23]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God specifically invites His people to “test” Him in the area of tithing, when elsewhere in Scripture we are told not to test God? [[48:33]]
The pastor said that giving is not a money issue, but a trust issue. What does this mean in practical terms for someone considering how much to give? [[47:50]]
How does the story of Hattie Mae Wyatt’s 57 cents challenge our assumptions about what kind of gifts God can use? [[56:08]]
The sermon described baptism as a communal responsibility. What are some ways a church family can actively help raise children in faith, beyond just the ceremony? [[16:48]]

Application Questions

The church made a vow to help raise Lennon in faith. Is there a child or young person in our church you feel called to encourage or support this year? What is one specific thing you could do for them? [[16:48]]
The pastor said giving is about trust, not just money. Is there an area of your life—finances, time, or talents—where you struggle to trust God? What would it look like to “test” God in that area this month? [[47:50]]
When you consider your giving (of money, time, or abilities), do you tend to offer God your best or your leftovers? What is one change you could make to give God your best this week? [[54:50]]
The story of the business owner and Hattie Mae Wyatt both show God multiplying what is placed in His hands. Is there something small or seemingly insignificant you have that you could offer to God for His use? [[56:08]]
The sermon talked about leaving a legacy by what we place in God’s hands. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for the next generation at Asbury or in your family? What step could you take toward that this year? [[01:00:07]]
The pastor mentioned that true worship is about sincere hearts, not empty rituals. Are there any routines in your spiritual life that have become empty rituals? How could you renew them to be acts of true worship? [[52:09]]
As you look at the needs and opportunities in our church and community, what is one way you feel God inviting you to participate in His work this year? [[58:25]]

Sermon Clips

As we continue this journey of steps of faith, as we bring this series to a conclusion, may those steps of faith not end here today, but may they continue every day of our lives. [00:38:32] (15 seconds) #StepsOfFaithEveryday

Friends, you could not convince that individual, my friend, that tithing doesn't make a difference. He battled. He wrestled over it for over a year. And when he made the commitment, it wasn't a week or two. And he received God's opening up the heavens and pouring out blessing upon him. [00:43:57] (28 seconds) #TithingUnlocksHeaven

It's not just financial blessing that we can count on. And I say not just because I believe you will see that in some way. But it could be blessing a family. It could be blessing at work of some project, some type of success. It could be blessing in a relationship. God doesn't share with us what type of blessing, but what he gives us in this Malachi passage is the promise of blessing. [00:44:27] (33 seconds) #BlessingsBeyondMoney

Giving and tithing, giving your tithes and offerings is not a money challenge. It's not a money issue. It has nothing to do with money. Again. Some of us will be in the hundred dollars a week category. Others of us might be higher and others might be way higher than that. But we're all in the same boat. It's not a money challenge. It's not a money issue. It's a trust issue. Do we trust that God will do what he says he will do? [00:47:50] (39 seconds) #TrustNotMoneyChallenge

The one who created the world, the one who's the giver of life, the one who made a way for our salvation because he so loved you and me that he died on the cross and rose from the dead so that all who believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. The same God who said for you know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans not to harm you, to prosper you, to give you a hope in a future. Do we? We trust him to do what he says he will do? [00:51:22] (36 seconds) #TrustGodsPromises

Are we giving God our leftovers or are we giving God our best? The Prophet Malachi was calling the Israelites to give their best. And so may we do the same. [00:54:44] (15 seconds) #GiveGodYourBest

Friends, what can we place in God's hands for this year? It doesn't matter. That card that's on the table that showed what we were able to do in 2025, the card that shows what might be possible in 2026, those numbers don't even matter. Because the real question is, what will we place in God's hands? For the building? For the building up of His church? For the expanding of His kingdom? For making a difference here in Jerusalem? For making a difference in Judea, our greater Raleigh area? For making a difference in Samaria where we don't want to go? Making a difference to all the ends of the earth? What will we place in God's hands? [00:58:03] (49 seconds) #PlaceItInGodsHands

And the question for us this morning is, what will we place in God's hands for His use to build up Asbury Church in this coming year? My friend, it was the first time he tithed. And that's what he placed in God's hands. Hattie Mae had 57 cents when she went to be with the Lord. And that 57 cents continues to grow to this day. What can we place in God's hands that will grow here at Asbury Church in the upcoming year? And will grow for you. For years to come, after we go see Jesus, that Asbury Church will continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone that'll listen, that we'll be able to point people to Jesus, whether it's Lennon, whether it's the other children and youth, whether it's our friends, our neighbors, our family members. Let us place our best in God's hands for the building of His kingdom. [00:59:25] (78 seconds) #LegacyOfFaithGiving

Lord, trust. Most things are a trust issue. And that's true with our financial situation. We have financial stewardship. So Lord, do we trust You to do what You say You're going to do? Today, I'll reaffirm that I say yes. Today, we'll answer the question, what will we place in Your hands? Lord, may we give You our best, and not our leftovers. [01:01:10] (33 seconds) #BuildingGodsKingdomTogether

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