Where Is Your Treasure?

Devotional

Day 1: Put God First in Your Finances

Putting God first in your finances is an act of faith that teaches you to trust Him above all else, inviting His blessing and provision into your life. When you choose to honor God with your resources, you are not only obeying His Word but also positioning yourself to experience His faithfulness in tangible ways. This is not about legalism or obligation, but about aligning your heart with God’s priorities and stepping into a deeper relationship with Him. As you take practical steps—like tithing or giving generously—you are declaring that God is your source, and you are opening the door for Him to move powerfully in your circumstances. [00:36]

Deuteronomy 14:23 (ESV)
"And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can put God first in your finances this week, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?

Day 2: God Invites Us to Test Him Through Tithing

God uniquely invites His people to test Him in the area of tithing, promising to pour out blessings when we bring the whole tithe into His house. This is the only place in Scripture where God says, “Test me,” showing His desire for us to experience His faithfulness firsthand. When you step out in faith and give, even when it stretches you, you are invited to watch God open the floodgates of heaven and provide in ways you could not have orchestrated yourself. This is not about earning God’s favor, but about trusting His character and promises, and allowing Him to demonstrate His goodness in your life. [01:49]

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: Are you willing to take God at His word and test Him in the area of tithing for the next four months? What would it look like for you to do this in faith?

Day 3: Faith Requires Action

Faith is not just belief—it is demonstrated through action, often requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks. Just as the leper approached Jesus in faith, risking everything for the chance to be healed, we are called to put our faith into motion, especially in areas like our finances. God responds to faith that moves; He honors those who trust Him enough to act, even when the outcome is uncertain. When you take a step of faith, you invite God to meet you in your need and to do what only He can do. [06:12]

Matthew 8:2-3 (ESV)
"And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.' And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Reflection: What is one area where you sense God calling you to take a step of faith, and what specific action can you take today to respond?

Day 4: Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Jesus teaches that there are two treasuries—one on earth and one in heaven—and He calls us to invest in the eternal by being generous and rich in good deeds. Earthly wealth is temporary and uncertain, but what we give to God’s kingdom is credited to our heavenly account and has lasting significance. When you prioritize generosity and invest in God’s purposes, you are building a foundation for the coming age and aligning your heart with what truly matters. This perspective shifts your focus from temporary gain to eternal reward, and it brings true life and fulfillment. [11:11]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally invest in your “heavenly account” this week, and how might this change your perspective on your earthly resources?

Day 5: Generosity Unlocks God’s Provision and Joy

Generosity is a key that unlocks both God’s provision and a deeper sense of joy in your life. When you give to support God’s work and meet the needs of others, you are not only blessing others but also positioning yourself to receive from God’s abundance. The Bible promises that those who sow generously will also reap generously, and that God will supply all your needs according to His riches. Generosity is not just about money—it’s about trusting God, reflecting His heart, and experiencing the happiness that comes from giving rather than getting. [17:37]

Philippians 4:17,19 (ESV)
"Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit... And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Who is someone or what is a ministry you can bless with a generous gift this week, trusting God to supply your needs as you give?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the invitation to put God first in every area of life, especially in the realm of finances. The principle of tithing is not about legalism or obligation, but about cultivating a heart that trusts God above all else. Tithing is a practical, faith-filled step that teaches us to rely on God’s provision and to recognize Him as the true source of all we have. The “Four-Month Tithe Challenge” is an opportunity to step out in faith, to test God’s promise in Malachi 3:10, and to experience firsthand the reality of His faithfulness.

There are two treasuries: one on earth, which is temporary and vulnerable, and one in heaven, which is eternal and secure. Jesus calls us to invest in the heavenly treasury by being generous, by sowing into the Kingdom, and by supporting the work of the local church. This is not about enriching the church or its leaders, but about aligning our hearts with God’s purposes and participating in His economy. The act of giving is both a spiritual discipline and a means of storing up treasure that will have significance in the age to come.

Faith is always active—it requires risk and obedience. Just as the leper pressed through the crowd to reach Jesus, we are called to take tangible steps of faith in our finances. God’s promises are not automatic; they are accessed through trust and action. The testimonies of God’s provision—whether in the church’s history or in individual lives—demonstrate that when we step out with what little we have, God multiplies it and meets needs in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves.

Ultimately, the call is to move beyond a mindset of scarcity and fear, and into a posture of trust and generosity. God is not looking to take from us, but to bless us and to use us as conduits of His blessing to others. The challenge is not just to give, but to give with expectation, to test God’s faithfulness, and to watch Him open the floodgates of heaven.

Key Takeaways

1. Tithing is a Faith Response, Not a Legal Obligation The act of tithing is rooted in faith, not in law. It is a way of declaring that God is first in our lives and that we trust Him to provide. The discipline of giving 10% is not about earning God’s favor, but about aligning our hearts with His and participating in His economy of grace. [03:06]
2. There Are Two Treasuries—Earthly and Heavenly Jesus teaches that while earthly savings and investments are temporary, there is a heavenly treasury that is eternal. What we sow into the Kingdom—through generosity and supporting God’s work—accumulates as a “heavenly account” that will have significance in the age to come, even if we don’t fully understand how. [12:23]
3. Faith Requires Action and Risk Faith is not passive; it always involves a step. Like Peter stepping out of the boat or the leper pressing through the crowd, we must act on what we believe. In the area of finances, this means sowing even when it feels risky, trusting that God will honor our faith and meet our needs. [06:12]
4. Generosity Unlocks Joy and Blessing Scripture consistently links generosity with blessing and joy. Giving is not just about meeting needs, but about experiencing the happiness and fulfillment that comes from participating in God’s work. The happiest people are those who give freely, knowing their treasure is secure in heaven. [19:27]
5. Testing God in Tithing is Biblically Sanctioned Malachi 3:10 is unique in that God invites us to “test” Him in the area of tithing. This is not presumption, but an invitation to experience God’s faithfulness in a tangible way. Even those who have never tithed before are encouraged to take this step and watch as God proves Himself faithful.

** [31:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - The Four-Month Tithe Challenge Invitation
[01:49] - God’s Unique Invitation to Test Him
[03:06] - Faith as the Foundation for Giving
[04:56] - Real Needs and Faith in Action
[06:12] - Faith Requires Risk and Obedience
[08:39] - The Heart Behind Generosity
[11:11] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Treasuries
[13:11] - Laying Up Treasure for the Coming Age
[15:37] - The Philippian Church’s Example
[17:37] - Your Heavenly Account
[20:11] - Tithing: Law, Grace, and Generosity
[23:19] - Giving Beyond the Law
[27:09] - Practical Impact of Tithing
[31:00] - Testing God and Expecting Testimonies
[34:51] - Testimonies of God’s Provision
[36:06] - Letting Jesus Touch Your Finances
[37:58] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Putting God First in Our Finances

Bible Reading

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.

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
> 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.

Philippians 4:17-19 (ESV)
> Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Observation Questions

According to Malachi 3:10, what does God invite His people to do, and what does He promise in response?
In Matthew 6:19-21, what are the two types of treasuries Jesus talks about, and what is the difference between them?
What does Paul say is credited to the Philippians’ “account” because of their generosity? (Philippians 4:17)
In the sermon, what is the stated purpose of tithing, according to the paraphrase of Deuteronomy 14:23? [[00:36]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God specifically invites us to “test” Him in the area of tithing, but not in other areas? What does this reveal about His heart for us? [[01:49]]
Jesus says, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” How does our giving reveal what we truly value? [[13:11]]
The sermon mentions that faith always requires action and risk, like the leper who pressed through the crowd to reach Jesus. How does this principle apply to our finances? [[06:12]]
Paul talks about a “heavenly account” that increases through generosity. What do you think this means for us practically, both now and in eternity? [[17:37]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to move from a mindset of scarcity and fear to one of trust and generosity. What are some fears or worries you have when it comes to giving or tithing? How might God be inviting you to trust Him in those areas? [[32:14]]
Have you ever “tested” God in the area of tithing or giving, as Malachi 3:10 invites? If so, what was your experience? If not, what holds you back from taking that step? [[31:00]]
The “Four-Month Tithe Challenge” is a practical way to step out in faith. What would it look like for you to take a tangible step of faith in your finances over the next four months? [[01:49]]
The sermon says that generosity unlocks joy and blessing. Can you share a time when giving brought you unexpected joy or blessing? How did it impact your faith? [[19:27]]
Jesus teaches about storing up treasure in heaven. What are some practical ways you can “invest” in your heavenly account this week, whether through finances, time, or other resources? [[12:23]]
The pastor shared stories of God’s provision when people stepped out in faith, even with little. Is there an area in your life where you feel you have “little” to offer? How might God use that if you offer it to Him? [[35:29]]
The sermon emphasizes that tithing is not about legalism, but about putting God first and trusting Him. How can you guard your heart against giving out of obligation, and instead give out of faith and love? [[03:06]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to trust God with their finances, for freedom from fear, and for hearts that are generous and expectant of God’s faithfulness.

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