Transforming Lives Through Generosity and Tithing

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment in Giving

In a world filled with conflicting messages, it's vital to ground ourselves in Scripture and discern the truth about giving. Many voices, especially from social media influencers and podcasters, can misinterpret biblical teachings on giving. Tithing remains a biblical principle, and it is crucial to be cautious about who we listen to, ensuring our understanding aligns with God's Word. This discernment helps us to give in a way that honors God and reflects His teachings. [38:05]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the voices influencing your understanding of giving, and how can you ensure they align with biblical teachings today?

Day 2: Generosity as a Heart Issue

Giving is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of our heart's condition. It's about trusting God with our resources and recognizing that everything we have is from Him. A heart touched by God gives generously, starting with the tithe. This perspective shifts our focus from obligation to a joyful response to God's blessings, encouraging us to give our time, talent, and treasure with a willing heart. [50:34]

"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: What is one way you can express generosity today that reflects a heart touched by God?

Day 3: The Impact of Tithing

If every Christian in America tithed, we could significantly impact global issues like hunger and illiteracy. Tithing is not just about supporting the church but about contributing to a greater mission that extends beyond our local community. This collective effort can transform lives and demonstrate the love of Christ on a global scale, showing the power of unified generosity. [57:43]

"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: How can your personal giving contribute to a larger mission that impacts the world today?

Day 4: Biblical Principles of Giving

Jesus raised the bar on Old Testament teachings, emphasizing generosity and a heart willing to give. The New Testament assumes tithing as a given, focusing on the heart's attitude. Our giving should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom, going beyond mere obligation to a heartfelt expression of faith and love. This principle challenges us to examine our motives and align our actions with the teachings of Christ. [01:06:11]

"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." (Luke 12:33, ESV)

Reflection: What changes can you make in your giving habits to better reflect your commitment to God's kingdom?

Day 5: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom

Financial Peace University offers practical tools to manage finances biblically. By applying these principles, we can achieve financial freedom, allowing us to give more generously and live out our faith in tangible ways. This journey towards financial peace is not just about personal gain but about freeing ourselves to serve God and others more effectively. [01:09:42]

"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: What is one practical step you can take today towards achieving financial freedom that will enable you to give more generously?

Sermon Summary

Welcome to Citywide Mosaic! Today, we embark on a three-week journey focusing on money, generosity, giving, and finances. Our mission is simple yet profound: find, immerse, transform. We aim to immerse people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. This transformation is not just spiritual but also practical, impacting every aspect of our lives, including how we handle our finances.

In today's world, there's a lot of noise, especially from social media influencers and podcasters who sometimes misinterpret biblical teachings on giving. It's crucial to be discerning and grounded in Scripture. Tithing, often misunderstood, remains a biblical principle. My wife Judy and I have tested God in this area and can testify to His faithfulness. Over the years, we've experienced that we cannot outgive God. As we give, He blesses us abundantly.

Giving is not just about finances; it's about our time, talent, and treasure. It's a heart issue. The Bible contains over 2,000 scriptures on money and possessions, highlighting its importance. We must manage our finances according to God's Word. Financial Peace University is a tool we offer to help you manage your finances biblically. It has transformed lives, helping people pay off debt and save money.

The tithe, a tenth of our income, is a starting point. It's not about legalism but about a heart touched by God. Jesus always raised the bar from the Old Testament teachings. He emphasized generosity and a heart willing to give. The New Testament assumes tithing as a given, focusing instead on the heart's attitude.

Statistics show that Christians in the U.S. earn $5.2 trillion annually, yet only give an average of 2.5% of their income. Imagine the impact if we all tithed! We could end world hunger, illiteracy, and provide clean water globally. Giving fuels the church and its mission.

As we give, God opens the windows of heaven, blessing us beyond measure. Let's not give what's left but what's right. Start with the tithe and watch God work in your life. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver. Let's be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment in Giving: In a world filled with conflicting messages, it's vital to ground ourselves in Scripture and discern the truth about giving. Tithing remains a biblical principle, and we must be cautious about who we listen to, ensuring our understanding aligns with God's Word. [38:05]
2. Generosity as a Heart Issue: Giving is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of our heart's condition. It's about trusting God with our resources and recognizing that everything we have is from Him. A heart touched by God gives generously, starting with the tithe. [50:34]
3. The Impact of Tithing: If every Christian in America tithed, we could significantly impact global issues like hunger and illiteracy. Tithing is not just about supporting the church but about contributing to a greater mission that extends beyond our local community. [57:43]
4. Biblical Principles of Giving: Jesus raised the bar on Old Testament teachings, emphasizing generosity and a heart willing to give. The New Testament assumes tithing as a given, focusing on the heart's attitude. Our giving should reflect our commitment to God's kingdom. [66:11]
5. Practical Steps to Financial Freedom: Financial Peace University offers practical tools to manage finances biblically. By applying these principles, we can achieve financial freedom, allowing us to give more generously and live out our faith in tangible ways. [69:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Introduction and Mission
[03:45] - The Importance of Invitation
[06:30] - Personal Testimony of Giving
[09:15] - Prayer and Gratitude
[11:50] - Introduction to Financial Series
[14:20] - The Noise of Social Media
[17:05] - The Biblical Basis for Tithing
[20:30] - Personal Experience with Tithing
[23:45] - The Role of Giving in the Church
[27:10] - Financial Peace University
[30:00] - The Heart of Giving
[33:15] - Jesus' Teachings on Generosity
[36:40] - The Impact of Tithing Globally
[40:05] - Practical Illustration of Tithing
[43:30] - Encouragement to Start Tithing
[46:50] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Salvation

Sermon Clips

Be careful who you're listening to. Be careful what you're listening to. Be careful that you're not led astray. Make sure that no matter what it is, even on a Sunday morning, that you take the message, that you go back, that you read through the scriptures and you see it for yourself. [00:36:59]

Over the course of 30 plus years, as we've given to the Lord, we've understood this. We cannot out give God and not necessarily that we've tried to out give God, but as we've given to the Lord, it seems like the windows of heaven just open up and he always turns around and out gives us. [00:38:05]

We get to come along and, and be a part of what the Lord is doing. Now let's talk about some, some statistics. There's, there's, there's 500 scriptures in the Bible that speak about prayer. There's 500 scriptures in the Bible that talk about faith. And then there's 2000 scriptures in the Bible that speak about money that speak about possessions. [00:44:24]

The handling of our finances is a heart issue. Before I get too much further on your seats, there was a little card that talks about Financial Peace University. Do you have it? Can you hold it up? You'll see a QR code on the back of that. It's a good way, quick, easy way for you to sign up. [00:45:54]

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. Somebody say amen. Then Paul goes on to say, for God loves a cheerful giver. Here's what he's saying. Nobody's to give by force. Look, I don't have this in my notes, but it's coming to me right now. [00:49:22]

And Paul says to them, nobody should give, one, reluctantly, two, under compulsion. In other words, it shouldn't really matter what the person next to you is doing. Somebody say amen. It should only really matter what God is speaking to you, and it should only really matter to you what the Bible and the Scripture says about what we're supposed to do. [00:50:34]

The tithe is the starting point. And as we give, God begins to open up the windows of our hearts. And he just provides. He just provides. In the Bible, we have New Testament grace, we have Old Testament law, and we even have pre -law. We have these principles to follow even pre -law. [01:08:31]

If Christians in America that are not tithing right now began tithing, we would have $165 billion more than we currently have in the church on a yearly basis. That's a lot of dough. It's hard to kind of understand and fathom how much that is. So let me tell you what you could do with $165 billion. [00:59:04]

Jesus always took the Old Testament, and he built up from there. He always raised the bar from there. So if you're the one that says, well, I'm kind of an Old Testament guy, and now we're under the New Testament, then my question to you is, if Jesus believed in 10 % being given back to the church, being given back to his causes, Jesus always went up from there. [01:02:28]

Jesus is saying, don't do one without the other. Jesus is saying you ought to do it. It is a necessity. It was implied. It was implied that everyone knew this was the practice and everyone was doing it and it was a necessity. But if 10 % still seems like too much, then it's not. It's a necessity. [01:05:07]

And in Mark chapter 10, Jesus is speaking with the rich young ruler. And he tells him, sell everything that you have, everything. That you have and come follow me. If you're doing the math, everything means 100%. In Luke 14, 23, Jesus says, you're going to follow me. You've got to let go of everything. [01:06:11]

My prayer is though, that as you begin to discover the scriptures and as you begin to read for yourself, that the Lord would bless your heart, that he would touch your heart and that out of him touching your heart, you would begin to understand and you would begin to just go ahead, and test him, and let God's word come alive in your life. [01:19:10]

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