The Heart's Test: Money and Tithing
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of "The Test of Money." Money, often seen as a mere tool, is actually a significant test of our hearts and priorities. It doesn't change who we are; it reveals and amplifies our true selves. The Bible is replete with examples where money has been a source of conflict and revelation, from Cain and Abel to Judas' betrayal of Jesus. The core of the message is that money is intrinsically linked to our hearts, as Jesus stated in Matthew 6:21, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
In our modern age, money has become a god, worshipped through materialism and greed. This idolatry challenges our genuine worship of God. As Christians, we are called to ensure that our worship of God is authentic and not overshadowed by the love of money. Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve both God and money; we must choose whom we will serve.
Tithing, the act of returning the first tenth of our increase to God, is a powerful expression of our faith and trust in Him. It connects our hearts to our finances and our faith to our wallets. Tithing is not just a financial transaction; it is an act of worship that dethrones the idol of money and places God at the center of our lives. It is a declaration that we trust God with our finances and believe in His covenantal promises of provision and blessing.
Throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi, the principle of tithing is emphasized as a means of honoring God with our wealth. It is a test of our hearts, revealing where our true devotion lies. God invites us to test Him in this, promising to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings when we faithfully tithe.
Ultimately, tithing is about our relationship with God. It is about returning to Him what is rightfully His and allowing Him to bless and redeem the rest. It is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over material wealth and to trust in His provision and faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- Money is a test that reveals our true character and priorities. It is not just a tool but a reflection of our heart's devotion. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, highlighting the intrinsic link between our finances and our spiritual life. [01:15:25]
- The worship of money is a prevalent idol in our culture, challenging our genuine worship of God. As Christians, we must ensure that our love for God is authentic and not overshadowed by materialism and greed. We cannot serve both God and money; we must choose whom we will serve. [01:17:33]
- Tithing is a powerful act of worship that connects our faith to our finances. By returning the first tenth of our increase to God, we declare our trust in His provision and place Him at the center of our lives. Tithing dethrones the idol of money and aligns our hearts with God's purposes. [01:18:58]
- The principle of tithing is deeply rooted in Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi. It is a means of honoring God with our wealth and a test of our hearts. God invites us to test Him in this, promising to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings when we faithfully tithe. [01:20:15]
- Tithing is about our relationship with God. It is about returning to Him what is rightfully His and allowing Him to bless and redeem the rest. It is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over material wealth and to trust in His provision and faithfulness. [01:39:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:13:55] - Introduction to the Test of Money
- [01:14:46] - Money Reveals the Heart
- [01:15:25] - The Link Between Money and Heart
- [01:16:30] - The God of Our Age
- [01:17:02] - Authentic Worship in 2021
- [01:17:33] - Serving God or Money
- [01:18:13] - The Power of Tithing
- [01:18:58] - Tithing as Worship
- [01:19:34] - Proverbs and Malachi on Tithing
- [01:20:15] - Testing God with Tithing
- [01:21:35] - Biblical Examples of Tithing
- [01:23:32] - The Redemptive Portion
- [01:25:00] - Jesus as God's Tithe
- [01:27:22] - Abraham and the Two Kings
- [01:31:14] - Tithing in the New Testament
- [01:39:29] - Returning to God
- [01:42:08] - The Purpose of the Tithe
- [01:44:13] - God's Invitation to Test Him
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Test of Money
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
2. Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
3. Malachi 3:10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "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."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does money act as a test of our hearts and priorities? [01:14:46]
2. What examples from the Bible were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate how money reveals true character? [01:14:46]
3. How does the act of tithing connect our faith to our finances, according to the sermon? [01:18:58]
4. What does the sermon say about the cultural worship of money and its impact on genuine worship of God? [01:16:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the statement "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" challenge the way individuals view their financial priorities? [01:15:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that tithing is a declaration of trust in God's provision? [01:18:58]
3. How does the sermon interpret the biblical principle of tithing as a test of our hearts? [01:20:15]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between material wealth and spiritual devotion? [01:17:33]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current financial priorities. How do they align with the idea that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"? What changes might you consider making? [01:15:25]
2. The sermon discusses the cultural worship of money. How can you ensure that your worship of God remains authentic and not overshadowed by materialism? [01:16:30]
3. Tithing is described as an act of worship that dethrones the idol of money. How can you incorporate this practice into your life, and what steps can you take to make it a consistent part of your faith journey? [01:18:58]
4. Consider the biblical examples of Cain and Abel, and Judas. How do these stories influence your understanding of the impact of money on relationships and character? [01:14:46]
5. The sermon invites us to test God with tithing, promising blessings in return. How does this challenge your current understanding of giving and receiving in your spiritual life? [01:20:15]
6. How can you actively prioritize your relationship with God over material wealth in your daily decisions and lifestyle? [01:39:29]
7. Reflect on a time when financial stress affected your spiritual life. How can the principles discussed in the sermon help you navigate similar situations in the future? [01:41:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Money as a Mirror of the Heart
Money is not just a tool; it is a mirror that reflects our true character and priorities. It reveals where our heart truly lies, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:21, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In the Bible, money has often been a source of conflict and revelation, from Cain and Abel to Judas' betrayal of Jesus. In our modern age, money can become an idol, challenging our genuine worship of God. As Christians, we must ensure that our love for God is authentic and not overshadowed by materialism and greed. We cannot serve both God and money; we must choose whom we will serve. [01:15:25]
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
Reflection: What recent financial decision have you made that reveals your heart's priorities? How can you align your financial choices more closely with your faith in God today?
Day 2: The Idol of Materialism
In today's culture, money is often worshipped as a god through materialism and greed. This idolatry challenges our genuine worship of God. As Christians, we are called to ensure that our worship of God is authentic and not overshadowed by the love of money. Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve both God and money; we must choose whom we will serve. This choice is a daily decision that reflects our commitment to God over the fleeting promises of wealth. [01:17:33]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where materialism has taken root. What practical steps can you take today to dethrone this idol and prioritize your relationship with God?
Day 3: Tithing as an Act of Worship
Tithing, the act of returning the first tenth of our increase to God, is a powerful expression of our faith and trust in Him. It connects our hearts to our finances and our faith to our wallets. Tithing is not just a financial transaction; it is an act of worship that dethrones the idol of money and places God at the center of our lives. It is a declaration that we trust God with our finances and believe in His covenantal promises of provision and blessing. [01:18:58]
"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." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How does your current approach to tithing reflect your trust in God's provision? What changes can you make to ensure that your giving is a true act of worship?
Day 4: Testing God with Tithing
The principle of tithing is deeply rooted in Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi. It is a means of honoring God with our wealth and a test of our hearts. God invites us to test Him in this, promising to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings when we faithfully tithe. This invitation is unique, as God rarely invites us to test Him, highlighting the significance of tithing in our spiritual journey. [01:20:15]
"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." (Malachi 3:10, ESV)
Reflection: What fears or doubts do you have about tithing? How can you take a step of faith today to test God's promise of provision through your giving?
Day 5: Prioritizing Relationship with God Over Wealth
Ultimately, tithing is about our relationship with God. It is about returning to Him what is rightfully His and allowing Him to bless and redeem the rest. It is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over material wealth and to trust in His provision and faithfulness. By placing God at the center of our financial decisions, we align our hearts with His purposes and experience the fullness of His blessings. [01:39:29]
"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." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your relationship with God over financial gain this week? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate your trust in His faithfulness?
Quotes
1) "Money is a test. When you get more money, it doesn't change you. It reveals you. It doesn't make you a different person. It just amplifies who you already are. And whenever we think about money and we begin to converse, especially in the church about money, but basically anywhere, you're going to find that passions come alive. People get fired up whenever you talk about money. Temperatures run hot whenever you introduce money. And we can see this not only in the relationships we have, but in the Bible. The first murder in the Bible was over money. The reason why Jesus was betrayed by Judas was an offense over money. The first death in the New Testament, church was over deception concerning money." [01:14:16] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The God of our age is money. What's worshiped in our culture is materialism and greed. These are the altars with which we come to sacrifice and worship. And whenever we talk about money, we're talking about what is near and dear to the hearts of our generation. And as the worship of money, increases, so does the attack on genuine worship of the one true God increase. And right now, we can see this in our culture. You mentioned church, Christianity, money. Church, Christianity, money. That's what the topic is going to be. And the reason why is because we are facing a time in history when the worship of money is being elevated." [01:15:57] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Money is a hugely emotive topic. Jesus said in Matthew 6 24, you can't serve both God and money. It's going to be an either or in your life. But then look at the language he uses. He says you will love one and you will hate the other. You'll be devoted to one and you will despise the other. That is volatile language. Love and hatred, devotion and despising. You will be conflicted in your heart always. When it comes to money, if you don't establish first who you're going to serve. And when it comes to our money, the ultimate test of our heart and where we sit concerning money is always going to be in the returning of our tithe to God." [01:17:33] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The reason why our tithe is so powerful is because it connects our heart to our finances. It connects it to our faith. It connects our faith to our wallet. It causes us to worship God in the most fundamental expression of who we are. Where your treasure is, there your heart is. When your worship goes towards God financially, your heart goes towards God as well. It is so powerful because it is just enough to dethrone mammon and to place God on the center of our lives. When we worship God with our tithe, it awakens a trust relationship in him concerning our finances, where we are and where we're going." [01:18:58] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "God does not want you to love money. Number two, God wants your heart ablaze with love for people. God does not want you to love money and God wants your heart ablaze with love for people. The kingdom of this world worships money and it drives us towards selfishness and greed. The kingdom of God worships Jesus and it draws us towards surrender and generosity. And I love Abraham because Abraham replies to the King of Sodom and he says, I won't have anything that belongs to you. You will never get to say that you made Abraham rich. Abraham passed the test of money." [01:33:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Let's never forget God's heart. God offers to us relationship and blessing. And then He calls us to worship Him by rightfully returning to Him what belongs to Him. Our tithe. Tithing is about the heart. That's what it's about. Our heart towards God and His heart towards us. He is the God of blessing and relationship. And when we tithe, we are freeing our hearts to worship Him. It's about our heart. It's about our heart. Tithing is about our heart." [01:38:27] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "God says, come back to me. Open your heart to me. Trust me. Worship me. Adore me. Would you choose to put your trust and faith in me? He says, bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. Let's get this fixed. And then he goes on to say, so that there will be enough food in my house. He's saying, bring your whole tithe into the storehouse. What's the storehouse? Your local church. The place from where you are spiritually fed. And God said, bring all the tithe into the storehouse. Bring it into the church so that there will be food in my house. The practical purpose of the tithe is the funding of the church." [01:41:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "If you do, God said, bring the tithe into the storehouse, there will be food in my temple. If you do, says the Lord of heaven's armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great, you won't have room enough to take it in. You're going to have to get generous because you're going to have more than enough for what you could use in this period of time. Try it. Put me to the test. God is saying, when you tithe, what you have is redeemed. When you tithe, you are releasing me to work on your behalf. See if I will not open the flood gates of heaven. See if I will not bless you. You're going to find out what it means to live under my blessing." [01:42:55] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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