Surrendering Finances: A Heartfelt Act of Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of surrender, focusing on the sacrifice of finances as an act of worship and devotion to God. This series has been challenging, yet it is a necessary journey for spiritual growth. We began by revisiting 1 Peter 2:5, which reminds us that we are living stones being built into a spiritual house. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of the gathered church and our role as a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We delved into the concept of financial sacrifice, not as a mere transaction, but as a heartfelt act of worship. The Bible speaks extensively about money and stewardship, highlighting that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This is not about the church's need for money but about our heart's posture towards God. A heart moving towards God naturally moves towards His tithe, reflecting a deep trust and commitment to His kingdom.
We discussed the common misconceptions and barriers to tithing, such as the belief that one must wait until they have more to give. However, the truth is that faithfulness with little leads to faithfulness with much. The act of tithing is a test of our faith and trust in God, who promises to bless and provide for us abundantly when we honor Him with our first fruits.
The message also addressed the practical aspects of tithing, emphasizing that it is not about the amount but the heart behind the giving. God desires cheerful givers who see tithing as an act of worship, not a burdensome obligation. We were encouraged to examine our hearts and consider how our financial decisions reflect our devotion to God.
In conclusion, the call to surrender our finances is a call to deeper intimacy with God. It is an invitation to trust Him fully and to participate in His work on earth. As we align our hearts with His will, we open ourselves to His blessings and become vessels of His grace and love in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Heart Posture in Worship: Our approach to giving reflects our heart's posture towards God. A heart moving towards God naturally aligns with His principles, including tithing. This alignment is not about the amount but about honoring God with our first fruits, demonstrating our trust and devotion. [12:23]
- Tithing as Worship, Not Transaction: Tithing should be seen as an act of worship rather than a transactional obligation. When we give with a cheerful heart, we honor God and acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives. This perspective shifts our focus from material gain to spiritual growth. [13:37]
- Faithfulness with Little: The principle of being faithful with little applies to our financial stewardship. If we are not faithful with what we have now, we are unlikely to be faithful with more. This faithfulness is a test of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. [16:33]
- The Impact of Collective Faithfulness: If every believer faithfully tithed, the church could accomplish incredible things for God's kingdom. This collective faithfulness would lead to fully funded ministries, missionaries, and benevolence programs, demonstrating the power of unified obedience to God's call. [18:10]
- Tithing as a Heart Issue: Ultimately, tithing is a matter of the heart. It reflects our priorities and our willingness to surrender all aspects of our lives to God. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our giving becomes a natural expression of our love and gratitude. [12:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Surrender
- [00:33] - Announcements
- [01:15] - Series Overview
- [02:19] - Heart Posture in Worship
- [03:36] - Sacrifices of the Body and Praise
- [05:43] - Introduction to Financial Sacrifice
- [07:36] - Practical Insights on Giving
- [11:47] - Heart and Tithing
- [13:37] - Cheerful Giving
- [16:00] - Misconceptions About Tithing
- [18:10] - Impact of Collective Faithfulness
- [21:43] - Trust and Stewardship
- [24:58] - The Tithe as Worship
- [32:30] - Heartfelt Giving
- [36:52] - Illustration of Worship
- [40:02] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Surrender and Financial Sacrifice
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 2:5 - "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
2. Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
3. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Peter 2:5 suggest about the role of believers in the church? How does this relate to the concept of being a "holy priesthood"? [02:19]
2. According to the sermon, how does the Bible emphasize the importance of financial sacrifice as an act of worship? [11:47]
3. What are some common misconceptions about tithing mentioned in the sermon, and how do they affect people's willingness to give? [16:00]
4. How does the pastor describe the impact of collective faithfulness in tithing on the church's ability to fulfill its mission? [18:10]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:5 help us understand our individual and collective roles in the church?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that financial giving is more about the heart than the amount? How does this align with Matthew 6:21? [12:23]
3. How does the concept of cheerful giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 challenge the traditional view of tithing as an obligation? [13:37]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between faithfulness with little and faithfulness with much? How does this principle apply to financial stewardship? [16:33]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current approach to financial giving. How does it reflect your heart's posture towards God? What changes might you consider to align more closely with the principles discussed in the sermon? [12:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes tithing as an act of worship rather than a transaction. How can you shift your perspective to see your financial contributions as a form of worship? [13:37]
3. Consider the barriers you face in tithing. What steps can you take to overcome these obstacles and grow in your trust and commitment to God's kingdom? [16:00]
4. How can you encourage others in your community to understand the importance of collective faithfulness in tithing? What role can you play in fostering a culture of generosity within your church? [18:10]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt reluctant to give. What was the underlying reason, and how can you address it to become a more cheerful giver? [13:37]
6. The sermon suggests that a heart moving towards God naturally moves towards His tithe. How can you cultivate a heart that is consistently moving towards God in all areas of your life? [12:23]
7. How can you practically apply the principle of being faithful with little in your daily financial decisions? What small changes can you make to demonstrate greater faithfulness? [16:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Our Hearts with God's Principles
Our approach to giving is a reflection of our heart's posture towards God. When our hearts are aligned with God's principles, including tithing, it is not about the amount we give but about honoring God with our first fruits. This act demonstrates our trust and devotion to Him. As we move towards God, our hearts naturally align with His will, and our giving becomes a natural expression of our love and gratitude. This alignment is a journey of faith, where we learn to prioritize God's kingdom over our own desires. [12:23]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your financial decisions with God's principles, demonstrating your trust and devotion to Him?
Day 2: Tithing as an Act of Worship
Tithing should be seen as an act of worship rather than a transactional obligation. When we give with a cheerful heart, we honor God and acknowledge His sovereignty in our lives. This perspective shifts our focus from material gain to spiritual growth, allowing us to experience the joy of giving. Tithing becomes a way to express our gratitude and love for God, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. By viewing tithing as worship, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, where our giving is a reflection of our faith and trust in His provision. [13:37]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you transform your perspective on tithing from a duty to a joyful act of worship today?
Day 3: Faithfulness with Little
The principle of being faithful with little applies to our financial stewardship. If we are not faithful with what we have now, we are unlikely to be faithful with more. This faithfulness is a test of our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. By being faithful with the resources we currently have, we demonstrate our readiness to handle greater responsibilities. This principle encourages us to be diligent and wise stewards, trusting that God will provide for our needs as we honor Him with our first fruits. [16:33]
"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." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what small ways can you practice faithfulness with your current resources, trusting God for greater opportunities?
Day 4: The Power of Collective Faithfulness
If every believer faithfully tithed, the church could accomplish incredible things for God's kingdom. This collective faithfulness would lead to fully funded ministries, missionaries, and benevolence programs, demonstrating the power of unified obedience to God's call. When we come together as a community of believers, our combined efforts can have a significant impact on the world. By faithfully tithing, we contribute to the growth and expansion of God's kingdom, allowing the church to fulfill its mission and reach more people with the gospel. [18:10]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you encourage others in your community to join you in faithful tithing, amplifying the impact of your collective faithfulness?
Day 5: Tithing as a Heart Issue
Ultimately, tithing is a matter of the heart. It reflects our priorities and our willingness to surrender all aspects of our lives to God. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our giving becomes a natural expression of our love and gratitude. Tithing challenges us to examine our hearts and consider how our financial decisions reflect our devotion to God. By surrendering our finances to Him, we invite His blessings into our lives and become vessels of His grace and love in the world. [12:36]
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: What does your current approach to tithing reveal about your heart's priorities, and how can you align them more closely with God's desires today?
Quotes
A heart that is moving toward God is always moving toward his tithe. The Bible talks about prayer about 500 times, talks about faith about 500 times, talks about money and stewardship a little over 2,000 times. Why? Because it's not about money, it's about heart. Matthew 6:21 says this: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [00:11:50]
Each of you should give what you have decided to give in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [00:13:37]
If you're not faithful with a little, you're not going to be faithful with much. If your heart posture isn't faithful with the little, you're not going to be faithful with much. Statistically speaking, those who make $50,000 a year as a family or less actually give more in percentage than those who make $50,000 or more. [00:16:33]
If everyone in America was just faithful to the Lord, 1.6 to 1.7 billion dollars would be added to the church's budget. Every church preaching Jesus would be paid for in cash. There would be no mortgage payments, no interest. Every ministry would be fully funded, fully staffed. [00:18:10]
When I bring God's tithe, I'm bringing it to him. When I give to missionaries, nonprofits, and I help those in need, which we should do, absolutely, True Religion cares about widows and orphans. I am giving for God. I'm being his hands and feet. I can't take from God to go give for him. [00:24:58]
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. God cares about his house being funded. God cares about his house. There's food in his house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing. [00:25:56]
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. He says, honor. The word honor means to value, show respect. When we bring our tithe in worship, we are showing him you are worthy of worship. [00:27:16]
A heart that is moving towards God is always moving towards the tithe because it's worship. God, you want us to worship you. I invite you to continue with worship for a few minutes in Jesus' name. [00:43:42]
I want you to understand this is not a money thing; this is a heart thing. I've seen it as a pastor, 20-something years now of doing this. I've seen someone God moves in their life, moves in their heart, wrecks their world, and their heart. You see it over time; they're taking steps toward his tithe. [00:12:36]
I want you to understand something about Connection Point. We are a tithing church. I 100% believe in this principle. The Lord, Holy Spirit, revealed it to me. I did a deep dive study into this, and I just felt so convicted in this series because I feel like I've used my inside voice. [00:19:39]
I want you to understand it is Holy. The word holy means set apart. You know, we've talked about this with the Bible, the Holy Bible. What is that saying? Bible means book; holy means set apart. It's saying this book is set apart from all the other books. It's not the same. [00:23:09]
I want your posture to want to want to. That's what I've been praying for, that God would reveal some things today, and it would wreck your world in a convicting but Holy Spirit way where you want to. [00:13:22]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?