Trusting God: The Power of First Fruits
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of giving God our first and our best, as outlined in Malachi 3:8-12. This principle, known as the "principle of first," is not just about finances but about our hearts and our trust in God. We delved into the importance of recognizing that everything we have comes from God and that we are merely stewards of His blessings. By giving God the first 10% of our income, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His blessings into our lives. This act of obedience and trust is a test we cannot fail if we follow God's plan.
We also discussed the historical context of tithing, from its Old Testament roots to its transformation in the New Testament. Jesus elevated the concept from a mere obligation to an act of radical generosity, challenging us to give not because we have to, but because we get to. This shift from a legalistic approach to a heart-centered one is crucial for experiencing true financial freedom and God's blessings.
Moreover, we examined the broader implications of tithing, emphasizing that it is about more than just money. It's about obedience, perspective, trust, and blessing. When we give God our first and our best, He promises to bless the rest, doing more with our 90% than we could ever do with 100%. This principle is not just a financial strategy but a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's will.
Finally, we extended an invitation for those who have not yet made Jesus the center of their lives to do so, recognizing that true transformation begins with a heart fully surrendered to Him. We prayed together, inviting Jesus into our lives and committing to trust Him with everything, including our finances.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Principle of First: Giving God our first and our best is a foundational principle that goes beyond finances. It is an act of obedience and trust, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. By prioritizing God in our giving, we invite His blessings into every area of our lives. [41:45]
2. Historical Context of Tithing: Tithing has its roots in the Old Testament as part of the law, but Jesus transformed it into an act of radical generosity in the New Testament. This shift from obligation to heart-centered giving challenges us to give not because we have to, but because we get to, reflecting our trust in God's provision. [53:41]
3. Obedience and Perspective: Tithing is about obedience to God's word and having the right perspective. Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His blessings. This mindset helps us manage our resources wisely and aligns our hearts with God's will. [58:00]
4. Trusting God Fully: The decision to tithe is ultimately about trust. We must decide whether God will be a source or the source in our lives. Trusting God with our finances is a tangible way to demonstrate our faith and reliance on Him, leading to true financial freedom. [01:02:07]
5. Living a Blessed Life: Living a blessed life means understanding that God can do more with 90% than we can do with 100%. This principle of giving to give, rather than giving to get, aligns us with God's heart and opens the door for His blessings in ways we might not expect. [01:07:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:39] - Introduction and Honoring Pastor Brandon
[41:45] - The Principle of First
[43:15] - Southern Hospitality and Pecan Pie
[47:01] - The Test You Cannot Fail
[48:25] - The Principle of First in Malachi
[49:47] - Historical Context of Tithing
[52:29] - Over and Above Giving
[53:41] - Tithing in the New Testament
[55:06] - Radical Generosity
[56:37] - The Truth Will Set You Free
[58:00] - Tithing is About Obedience
[01:00:40] - Stewardship and Perspective
[01:02:07] - Trusting God Fully
[01:06:07] - Tithing is About Blessing
[01:07:29] - Living a Blessed Life
[01:10:13] - The Open Book Test
[01:11:42] - Returning to Ordinary Behavior
[01:13:18] - Taking the Next Step
[01:14:40] - 90 Day Tithe Challenge
[01:16:02] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:17:22] - Closing Prayer and Celebration
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Malachi 3:8-12
### Observation Questions
1. What does Malachi 3:8-12 say about the consequences of not bringing tithes and offerings to God? ([41:45])
2. According to the sermon, what is the "principle of first" and how is it demonstrated in Malachi 3:8-12? ([48:25])
3. How does the historical context of tithing in the Old Testament differ from its application in the New Testament, as explained in the sermon? ([53:41])
4. What promise does God make in Malachi 3:10 if the people bring their tithes to the storehouse? ([41:45])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of giving God our first and best reflect our trust and obedience to Him? ([48:25])
2. In what ways did Jesus transform the concept of tithing from an obligation to an act of radical generosity? ([53:41])
3. How does the act of tithing align our hearts with God's will and perspective on stewardship? ([58:00])
4. What does it mean to trust God fully with our finances, and how can this lead to true financial freedom? ([01:02:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current giving habits. Are you giving God your first and best, or are you giving Him what is left? How can you adjust your priorities to align with the principle of first? ([48:25])
2. The sermon mentioned that Jesus elevated tithing to an act of radical generosity. How can you practice radical generosity in your own life? ([53:41])
3. Think about a time when you struggled to trust God with your finances. What steps can you take to build that trust and demonstrate your faith in His provision? ([01:02:07])
4. The sermon emphasized that everything we have belongs to God and we are merely stewards. How does this perspective change the way you manage your resources? ([58:00])
5. The pastor shared a story about King Hezekiah and the nation's response to his call for generosity. How can you apply the lesson of giving even in times of financial uncertainty? ([01:04:45])
6. The concept of living a blessed life was discussed as God doing more with 90% than we could do with 100%. Have you experienced this in your life? If not, what steps can you take to test this principle? ([01:07:29])
7. The sermon concluded with an invitation to trust Jesus fully, not just with finances but with your entire life. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to Jesus, and how can you take a step towards that today? ([01:16:02])
Devotional
Day 1: The Principle of First
Giving God our first and our best is a foundational principle that goes beyond finances. It is an act of obedience and trust, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. By prioritizing God in our giving, we invite His blessings into every area of our lives. This principle, known as the "principle of first," is not just about finances but about our hearts and our trust in God. By giving God the first 10% of our income, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His blessings into our lives. This act of obedience and trust is a test we cannot fail if we follow God's plan. [41:45]
Deuteronomy 26:2 (ESV): "You shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can start giving God your first and best? How can you practically implement this principle today?
Day 2: Historical Context of Tithing
Tithing has its roots in the Old Testament as part of the law, but Jesus transformed it into an act of radical generosity in the New Testament. This shift from obligation to heart-centered giving challenges us to give not because we have to, but because we get to, reflecting our trust in God's provision. Jesus elevated the concept from a mere obligation to an act of radical generosity, challenging us to give not because we have to, but because we get to. This shift from a legalistic approach to a heart-centered one is crucial for experiencing true financial freedom and God's blessings. [53:41]
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How does understanding the historical context of tithing change your perspective on giving? What steps can you take to make your giving more heart-centered?
Day 3: Obedience and Perspective
Tithing is about obedience to God's word and having the right perspective. Everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His blessings. This mindset helps us manage our resources wisely and aligns our hearts with God's will. Recognizing that everything we have comes from God and that we are merely stewards of His blessings is crucial. This perspective helps us manage our resources wisely and aligns our hearts with God's will. [58:00]
1 Chronicles 29:14 (ESV): "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your perspective to see yourself as a steward of God's blessings? How can this change impact your daily decisions and actions?
Day 4: Trusting God Fully
The decision to tithe is ultimately about trust. We must decide whether God will be a source or the source in our lives. Trusting God with our finances is a tangible way to demonstrate our faith and reliance on Him, leading to true financial freedom. This decision is ultimately about trust. We must decide whether God will be a source or the source in our lives. Trusting God with our finances is a tangible way to demonstrate our faith and reliance on Him. [01:02:07]
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 area of your finances where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step of faith to trust Him more in this area today?
Day 5: Living a Blessed Life
Living a blessed life means understanding that God can do more with 90% than we can do with 100%. This principle of giving to give, rather than giving to get, aligns us with God's heart and opens the door for His blessings in ways we might not expect. When we give God our first and our best, He promises to bless the rest, doing more with our 90% than we could ever do with 100%. This principle is not just a financial strategy but a spiritual discipline that aligns our hearts with God's will. [01:07:29]
Malachi 3:10 (ESV): "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: How can you shift your mindset from giving to get to giving to give? What practical steps can you take to live a life that invites God's blessings in unexpected ways?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Think about the Pharisees that had a front row seat to Jesus, and they missed the miracle that they were in the middle of. And I think it's amazing that you're at a church where we're running three services in the middle of summer. Y'all know that's not normal, right? Like, like it gets better than that. Like, you know that it's not normal that there are people saying yes to Jesus every weekend at one of the services we've got happening in Columbia, in Florence, at the Blake, online. It's not just stopping at saying yes to Jesus. People are getting baptized. They're joining a serve team. They're trusting God with their finances for the first time." [39:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you'll give me the first and the best, then I will bless the rest. This is the principle of first. In this text, in Malachi chapter three, I think the temptation might be to just consume information this morning. I don't want us to consume information. I want to share some information that I believe will lead you to transformation, because that's been the goal during this series. That's the goal every Sunday at Radiate Church. We have no interest in just giving you information. We want to give you information that through the power of the Holy Spirit can turn into transformation in your life." [48:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus shows up, and he doesn't just challenge people to give 10%. He challenges people with this idea of radical generosity. And not just giving because they have to, but giving because they get to. And by the time we get to the book of Acts, and we see the New Testament beginning, we see a group of people that are not just paying their 10% temple tax, but they are sharing everything they have, everything they own. I'm talking their homes, I'm talking their food, I'm talking clothes, all of their material possessions. They're sharing it, and they move from obedience into radicality. Radical generosity." [55:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Living the blessed life in accordance to scripture simply means this as it relates to your money, my friend. It means that God will do more with the 90% than you could do on your own with 100%. That's what it looks like to live a blessed life. God can bless you all kinds of ways. He can bless you financially and materially. He can do all of those things. But can I tell you that some of the greatest miracles I've ever seen in my life are the ones that I've never seen in my life." [01:08:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's way is the best way. His plan, the truth in his word leads us to freedom. So if that's the next step you need to take, I just want to encourage you and invite you to take that step in faith with sacrifice and trust God with the outcome." [01:14:40] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think it's so important to bring you some outside perspective all the way from Chillicothe, Ohio this morning, because here's the thing about being in the middle of a miracle. Sometimes when you're in the middle of a miracle, you're the least likely person to know you're in the middle of a miracle. Think about the Pharisees that had a front row seat to Jesus, and they missed the miracle that they were in the middle of. And I think it's amazing that you're at a church where we're running three services in the middle of summer. Y'all know that's not normal, right? Like, like it gets better than that. Like, you know that it's not normal that there are people saying yes to Jesus every weekend at one of the services we've got happening in Columbia, in Florence, at the Blake, online. It's not just stopping at saying yes to Jesus. People are getting baptized. They're joining a serve team. They're trusting God with their finances for the first time. I mean, do y'all know marriages have been healed at this church? Addictions have been broken at this church. Come on, can we just give God praise? Because we're in the middle of a miracle." [39:00] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Tithing is about obedience. Tithing is about me dying to my flesh, by giving God my first and my best. Because even though I'm the preacher on the stage with the microphone, I got news for you, I don't always feel like giving God my first and my best. So if you feel the same way, I'm with you. I've had those moments, I've had those valleys, I've had those seasons where I say, man, I don't want to do it. And so I give to be obedient, because it's not about what I want, it's about what God says that I need. And God says that tithing is not about anything he wants from me, it's actually about what he wants for me." [58:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Tithing is about obedience, but it's also about perspective. What do I mean by that? It means that everything we have, everything, everybody say everything. Everything we have comes from God, therefore everything that you and I have belongs to God. Everything. All of our money, all of our stuff, the breath that we have in our lungs today, it all comes from God. He is our creator, and he is our sustainer. And so we have to develop a mindset that we've learned about during this series of stewardship. Because ultimately, everything I have, God's the one that put it in my hands, and he is simply asking me to be a caretaker of it." [58:00] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Tithing is about trust. Here's why it's about trust. Because at the end of the day, I read God's word. I hear a message like this. I sit through a series like this and I have a choice to make. You have a choice to make. I have a choice to make. Here's the universal choice that all of us in the room, all of us watching online, all of us watching at all of our locations today, here's the choice that we all have to make. We have to make this decision in our heart. Is God going to be a source in my life or is God going to be the source in my life? Am I going to trust God with some of the things or all of the things?" [01:02:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I need you to know this. You can say yes to Jesus and never tithe and God's still going to love you and you're still going to have a place in the kingdom of heaven. But in this area of your life, until you trust God's plan, he'll always be on the outside looking in. I don't think you'll ever experience the financial freedom he wants you to experience until you trust him with your first and your best. Because when you give God your first and the best, he will bless the rest. And we just believe as a church that God will do more with the 90 than we could do with the 100." [01:13:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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