Embracing Generosity: Unlocking God's Promises in Giving

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **Proverbs 3:9-10** - "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
2. **Luke 6:38** - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
3. **2 Corinthians 9:6-7** - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. According to Proverbs 3:9-10, what are the results of honoring the Lord with our wealth?
2. In Luke 6:38, what does Jesus promise will happen when we give generously?
3. What principle about giving and receiving is highlighted in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7?
4. How did the gym owner’s testimony illustrate the principle of God’s provision in times of financial uncertainty? ([56:38])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God places such a strong emphasis on generosity and giving in the Bible? ([48:30])
2. How does the promise of blessings for our children and future generations impact your view on generosity? ([50:42])
3. What does it mean to honor God with the firstfruits of our income, and how does this reflect our trust in Him? ([51:22])
4. How can the principle of sowing and reaping change our perspective on giving and receiving? ([53:24])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God’s provision after giving generously. How did this experience strengthen your faith? ([56:38])
2. How can you practically honor God with the firstfruits of your income in your current financial situation? ([51:22])
3. Think about the legacy you want to leave for your children and future generations. What steps can you take to ensure that your generosity impacts them positively? ([50:42])
4. In what ways can you cultivate a cheerful heart when giving, rather than feeling reluctant or under compulsion? ([53:24])
5. Identify a specific need in your community or church that you can contribute to this week. How can you make your giving an act of worship and obedience to God? ([52:07])
6. How can you trust God’s timing for the harvest of your generosity, especially when you don’t see immediate results? ([53:24])
7. What are some practical ways you can store up treasures in heaven through your generosity, rather than focusing solely on earthly wealth? ([01:08:15])

Day 1: Embracing Generosity as Worship
Generosity is not just an act of kindness; it is an act of worship that aligns us with the generous nature of God. When we give, we do so not to complete a mere transaction but to participate in a divine exchange that reflects our obedience and reverence for God. This act of giving goes beyond the material—it is a spiritual discipline that opens the door to God's blessings and favor in our lives. It is a tangible expression of our trust in God's provision and a demonstration of our commitment to His principles. By giving, we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, and we return a portion of it to Him as an act of gratitude and worship.

Generosity is a key that unlocks the potential for increased blessings, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. It is a testament to our faith in God's promises and an investment in the kingdom of God. As we give, we become conduits of God's grace, allowing His generosity to flow through us to others. This creates a ripple effect that can transform communities and bring glory to God. When we give, we are not diminished; rather, we are enriched and brought into closer alignment with the heart of God.

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

Reflection: How can you incorporate generosity into your daily acts of worship, and what might be the first step in making giving a more intentional part of your spiritual practice?

Day 2: Generosity's Generational Impact
Our acts of generosity have the power to extend beyond our own lives, creating a legacy that blesses our children and future generations. When we give, we are not only investing in the present but also sowing seeds for the future. These seeds take root and grow, bearing fruit that will nourish and sustain our descendants. Our giving sets an example for our children, teaching them the value of generosity and the importance of trusting in God's provision. It is a powerful way to ensure that the blessings we have received from God are passed down, creating a lineage of faith and favor.

The impact of our generosity is not limited to the material realm; it also has spiritual implications. As we give, we demonstrate the principles of God's kingdom to our children, instilling in them a sense of divine purpose and responsibility. This generational blessing is a testament to the faithfulness of God, who honors our obedience and multiplies our gifts in ways that we cannot foresee. Our generosity becomes a beacon of hope and a source of strength for our children, guiding them in their own journeys of faith.

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:24-25)

Reflection: In what ways can you model generosity for your children or those in your sphere of influence to instill a legacy of giving?

Day 3: Tithing as Trust in God's Provision
Tithing is a principle that demonstrates our trust in God's sovereignty over our finances. By giving the first portion of our income, we acknowledge God as the source of all we have and place Him at the forefront of our financial decisions. This act of faith is a declaration that we depend on God's provision and not on our own efforts. Tithing is a tangible way to honor God with our resources, and it invites His blessing upon our work and business. It is an expression of our belief that God will provide for our needs and that He is faithful to His promises.

The practice of tithing is not merely a duty; it is an opportunity to participate in God's work on earth. It allows us to be part of something greater than ourselves and to contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom. As we tithe, we can do so with the confidence that God will use our gifts to bless others and to further His purposes. Our obedience in tithing is a testament to our faith, and it opens the door to God's abundant provision in our lives.

"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)

Reflection: How does tithing challenge or affirm your trust in God's provision, and what steps can you take to prioritize tithing in your financial life?

Day 4: Sowing Generosity, Reaping Abundance
The principle of sowing and reaping is a fundamental truth of the kingdom of God. When we give generously, we sow seeds that will grow and produce a harvest in due time. This act of giving is not about seeking personal gain; it is about trusting in God's timing and faithfulness. As we sow, we can be confident that God will provide for our needs and that He will multiply our generosity in ways we cannot imagine. Our giving is an investment in the kingdom of God, and the returns on this investment are both spiritual and material.

Generosity is a cycle that perpetuates itself. The more we give, the more we are able to give, as God entrusts us with greater resources to steward for His glory. This cycle of sowing and reaping is not limited to our financial giving; it also applies to the love, time, and talents we share with others. As we give of ourselves, we reflect the heart of God, who gave His Son for us. Our generosity becomes a testament to His ultimate gift and a means through which His love is made known to the world.

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can sow seeds of generosity in your community, and how can you cultivate a heart that is open to giving and receiving?

Day 5: Eternal Rewards of Generosity
Our acts of generosity have eternal significance. When we give, we are not just contributing to temporary causes; we are investing in treasures that will last forever. These treasures are stored up in heaven, where they are safe from decay and theft. This eternal perspective motivates us to focus on what truly matters and to invest in the things of God. Our generosity on earth has a direct impact on our heavenly account, and it reflects our understanding of our true purpose in Christ.

By giving generously, we lay up treasures in heaven that represent our commitment to God's kingdom. These treasures are not measured by earthly standards but by the love, sacrifice, and obedience that accompany our giving. Our generosity is a reflection of our faith and a measure of our devotion to God. It is a way to honor Him with our resources and to participate in His eternal work.

"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)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from earthly possessions to heavenly treasures, and what changes might you need to make in your giving to reflect this eternal perspective?

Wow, that's awesome!

Hey, if you didn't get a bulletin outline when you came in, raise your hand. The ushers would be happy to serve you.

We're so thankful today that you are here. If I haven't told you this week, I want to tell you I love you, and I thank God that He allows us to journey together.

Wow!

Hey, we want to talk today about some promises. Someone said that there are over 8,000 promises in the Bible. 8,000! That's a lot of promises.

In that, we know that with the promises of God, there are conditional promises and unconditional promises. Conditional promises are, "If you do this, then I'll do that." Unconditional promises are, "I just plan on doing this, and you can't do anything about it."

So, we have both of those. But in all the promises of God, where do you think there are more promises given about a subject than anything else?

Well, if you looked at today's topic, you would be smart enough to say, "Well, I think it's probably through generosity and giving," and you're right.

So, my question would be, if there are more promises in the Bible about giving than there are about faith or eternity or all of those subjects, then why would being generous and giving have more promises than anything else?

I think simply because God is a giver. From the very beginning, that's how we learn about Him. For God so loved the world that He gave, and He gave His best gift—He gave His Son.

So, we, being His children, want to have the same qualities that He has, and that quality is we want to be generous and giving with what the Lord allows to flow through our hands.

So, let's look at our topics today. We have seven really quick things we're going to look at to answer the question: Why be generous?

Why should I be generous?

Well, because there are a lot of promises.

Number one: God promises good things. Say, "Good things."

God promises good things will happen to me when I'm generous. If I learn to give like God gives, God promises, Terry, there are going to be good things that happen in your life.

Let's look at the scripture: "Good will come to the man who is ready to give much. Blessed are those who are generous."

What I find is that giving is the key that unlocks the door to these blessings of God. I want those blessings, Lord! I want good things to happen in my life.

All right, right then, get ready to be a giver.

Number two: God promises my children will be blessed if I learn to give like God gives.

So, giving is not just about me, but when I give, the promise is that my children, my children's children, are going to be blessed.

Look at this verse: Psalm 37:26—"They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing." Or one translation says, "Their children will always be blessed."

One of the reasons I want to be a giver and have a generous heart is to know that it not only affects my life, but it also affects my kids, my grandkids.

I tell you, I know that no matter what happens, I hear my kids say, "I don't know what happened, but it just looks like I've got favor in this job. It looks like doors are opening for me in this area. It looks like this is happening."

Why? Because they're walking in the generous blessings of God that started with my great-great-grandparents who were givers and tithers and belonged to God.

So, if you want your kids blessed, then you need to be generous.

Number three: God promises He will bless my work and my business if I learn to be generous.

God will bless my business, my work, my investments, my adventures that I go through in life.

Here's another verse we're going to look at—Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."

It doesn't say that, does it? It says, "Give Him what is first."

So, put Him first. There's something about God; He wants to be first in our life. If He's not first, then whatever we put before Him is really the god that is first in our life.

We honor God by giving Him the first part of our income, and that's called tithing.

So, in this cultural context, He says, "I'll bless your barns; I'll bless your vats."

We say, "Well, I don't know what that means." You have to understand in that culture, most of them were farmers. So, if you want to see how blessed they were, you'd go look in their barn; you'd look in their grain holders, and you'd see how they were blessed.

So, basically, what He's saying to us in our economy today is if you're a giver, if you return the tithe back to God as He says, "Return the tithe back to God," then He says, "I'll bless your business, I'll bless your work, I'll bless your career, I'll bless your investments, I'll bless how you make a living."

Deuteronomy 15:10 says, "Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God—your God's blessings in everything you do and all of your work ventures."

So, it says if you're generous and you have a generous heart, it triggers God to release more blessings upon you.

Good so far?

Number four: More promises.

God promises that if I learn to be generous, I will end up with more.

Man, I heard so many people give testimonies about how they started tithing and how God spoke to them, and how God takes the 10% and they have left with 90%.

And if you save whatever, how God blesses that, and He goes even farther than they can imagine.

It's like we don't give to get, but we give out of obedience and worship.

Luke 6:38 says this: "Give, and you will receive. Your gifts will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together, and running over, poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

A couple of weeks ago, we were over in Daytona for Bike Week, and we went into one of those great stores that are taffy stores in tourist traps, right?

They have this little sack filled with all the taffy you want for $9.98, or if you want a larger one, fill this sack with all the taffy you want for $12.98.

I watched people take a bag because they knew they were paying one price no matter how big the bag was. They strategically put every piece of taffy in there, shook it up, pushed it down, let it come to the top.

Why? Because they wanted to be sure that they got what they were paying for.

So, here's what God is saying: He says, "I promise you, I promise you I'm going to give you so much if you're a giver that it has to be pressed down, shaken, because it's going to run over."

I mean, I watched some people walk up to the counter, and literally, candy was running out of the top that you couldn't tie it together.

Why? They wanted their money's worth.

So, that picture, I just stood there and thought, "That's what God says."

He said, "If you have a generous heart, don't be stingy. If you'll put Him first by returning the tithe, and then if you'll freely give offerings, which is a seed."

You see, the tithe is not a seed; the tithe is something that belongs to God. So, I can't bring the tithe and say, "Lord, I'm planting a seed for a harvest," because I'm returning and giving the tithe.

He says, "No, you don't give the tithe; you return the tithe. You give offerings."

Offerings are over and above that, whatever God speaks to me that I should give, and I give spontaneously.

He says, "Some people love; some people give freely and gain more. Others refuse to give and end up with less."

Let me tell you a true story about that.

Let me invite my friend Al. Welcome Al up here. He's my trainer at the gym, and he shared something with me last week in passing.

I didn't tell him that I was going to do this until this morning when he got here because I knew immediately his heart rate would go up, and so it did.

On his phone, he noticed that it said, "Sit down; your heart rate is going too fast."

So anyway, he's got a great story. I want you to hear this story.

It did go up, and you know I am going to say next week you're doing double for this because I did not know I was coming up here today.

Usually, I like to be more prepared, but you know I figure this story is about my life, so you know, let's wing it.

Right?

Yeah.

So, what I shared with Pastor Terry was a very interesting point in my life, and it was a point in my life in which I kind of lost my identity.

It was during COVID when the government completely shut down my business, and I'm a gym owner and a personal trainer. So just like that, I had no job.

You know, my wife is a hairstylist, so on the same day, just like that, she didn't have a job either.

It was a very interesting time because, you know, I like to work. I'm a very hardworking person, and I didn't know what to do. I'm a provider; I had no income.

It was a very stressful time in life, as I'm sure it was for a lot of you as well.

So, the reason why I bring this up is because I went to The Father's House website because I give online, and I was going to change my tithe.

I thought to myself, "Well, you know, like 10% of $0 is $0," right? I mean, you know, that's how much I was making.

So, I remember very specifically I'm sitting on the website, and I'm getting ready to change the amount, and God spoke to me that, you know, He tests the righteous.

Wow!

So instead, which was a very difficult—probably one of the hardest times I've ever had on a computer—I doubled it.

Wow!

And I thought, "Well, you know, if I'm going to put my faith in God, if I'm going to put my faith in anybody, it's going to be God."

Right?

Wow, that's good!

So, you know, I started out coasting, you know, with being shut down with an X amount of dollars, and you know, as time went on, I didn't really pay much attention to it because, you know, it's very stressful looking at your finances when you're at zero dollars.

But the whole time, I just kept on tithing and doing what I was supposed to do.

When the government finally opened my business back up, I looked at my finances, and they were exactly the same as when I first started.

Wow!

So, God provided even during that time.

Now, help me to understand that if I got what you said, because you are a committed, faithful tither. You don't just stop and start, but you've been doing that for a long time.

Yes.

And you doubled your tithe. You had X amount of money in your savings and checking, but after they let you start again, you had the same amount?

Same amount.

Now, Al, how do you explain that?

I cannot explain it. All I can tell you is, you know, just randomly people would just give me money.

You know, they're like, "I understand where you're at in life. I feel bad for you; you're not working. I'm not affected by this."

And, you know, they would just hand me—I mean, it's kind of crazy, but yeah, they would just give me money.

And at the time, I was spending money too. I was trying to make improvements in the gym, and I was doing all kinds of stuff, and I just had faith.

And I think God did that, meaning what God did for me, making it be about exactly the same as I first started, I think that He was trying to prove a point that I give Him all the glory.

Yes! Amen!

Thank you, Al, for sharing that. What an adventure to trust God with the tithe—the first 10% of your increase.

Now, for some of you sitting here today, that's the scariest thing in life. But think about this: If the Bible says so much—people say, "Well, tithing is the Old Testament."

Time out! Tithing is in the New Testament. Jesus told the Pharisees, "You ought to tithe. Don't miss the tithe."

You see, something in the Old Testament that's pulled through the New Testament comes through the cross, and sometimes it's changed, and sometimes it's intensified.

In fact, when you pull giving through the cross in the New Testament, it's not about the tithe; it's about you give everything to Jesus.

But the tithe seems to be a starting place all through the scripture.

So, I know some of you today are thinking, "I don't know if I could do that."

But think about this: Think about the logic behind this.

First of all, I'm not teaching this today because the church needs more money. I'm not teaching this today because God needs money. No, He doesn't.

I'm not teaching this today because I get a percentage of the increase. No, my salary is set by an independent group of people, and it's set by national standards, so it really doesn't affect me whatsoever.

But it affects you. If you go through life and you just tip God, but yet giving and tithing is so basic and important, it's like—let me ask you a question: How can you trust that Jesus has saved you and that God has a place for you in heaven, and you say, "Yeah, I prayed that prayer without a shadow of a doubt, I believe," but then you won't return the tithe and trust Jesus with your finances?

That doesn't equate.

Maybe you need to second guess: Are you sure you're really trusting Jesus, or are you trusting your works?

You say, "Wow, I never thought about it like that."

But you see, the Bible is so full of those promises.

Number five: God promises that if I learn to give like Him, He'll meet all my needs, not my greeds.

The blessings that come from giving—that's my heart today. I'm not trying to get something from you, but I want you to experience the blessings of God.

I want you to have a testimony.

Somebody said, "You know, we were going through life; we had two houses to sell, and I was tithing."

The lady said, "I was tithing on my income." This is as they were separate, and then they got married, so they both have houses.

And she said, "We needed to sell both of our houses because we bought another one."

And she said, "I'm a faithful tither, and my house sold like that."

But her husband was standing there, and he said, "Yeah, and I wasn't a complete tither."

And she said, "We came together, and I don't know why your house is not selling."

She said, "But let's agree that we return to God the full tithe on our salary."

And she said, "Would you believe it? That very week, that house sold."

She said, "You can argue the point that it would have happened anyway, but I'm here to tell you—and so did her husband—I'm here to tell you the reason being is that we returned the full tithe to God. We trusted Him more than anything else."

If that's happened to you, would you give the Lord a hand clap and say, "Yay!"

[Applause]

God!

And the scripture says in Proverbs 28:27, "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed."

There's just something that happens when we give to the poor.

You say, "Well, who am I supposed to give? How am I supposed to do that?"

Well, we do that through our giving, through our Legacy gift that we give next week—our Legacy offering that we're using next week.

We're believing for $160,000 for missions, and we're believing for $40,000 to make some renovations and improvements and take that sign out there that looks ugly and make it very attractive so that people can help share the gospel and let people know.

So, everybody that comes to The Father's House has been praying now for weeks, "God, what will You have me to give in that Legacy offering?"

It's not the tithe; it's a sacrificial offering, and we give that by revelation.

Another way that we can do that is that we have the shoe drive out there, raising and bringing in shoes that will be sent to women in poverty and help them to start a business.

And you've been doing this—how long have you been doing this now?

Five—four years?

This is the fifth year, and many businesses have been started because of that.

That's how we help the poor.

I carry in my wallet some "God money" so that sometimes I'm placed, and I see a person in need, and God will speak to my heart, and that money is there to help that person.

There's something that happens when we care and we give cheerfully.

So, I'm praying next week with the Legacy offering that you'll give a sacrificial gift.

And all gifts are not the same. Some of you have a bank account that you can give large; some of you are barely getting by, and you'll have to give minimum.

But I'm telling you, when you ask God by revelation, "God, what would You have me to give?" He'll lay a number, and many times it'll be more than what you can even think.

But I'm telling you, I've been doing this for almost 70 years of my life, and I've never seen God fail when we test Him in this area.

Number six: God promises that if I learn to give like He gives, He will multiply what I give.

I mean, throughout the Bible, you see that they gave the Lord just a few fish and bread, and He blesses it and breaks it and gives it out. It feeds 5,000 men plus women and kids.

Throughout the Bible, there's the principle that if you sow a seed, God will bring a harvest.

Look at 2 Corinthians 9:10-11: "For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and bread to eat."

So, what He's simply saying there is that God provides you with something to give, first of all, and second, then something to enjoy yourself.

And He said He gives us increase so it could be a harvest of generosity.

So, He says it's you to plant the seed.

2 Corinthians 9:6—I love this one: "Remember, a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop, but the one who plants generously will get a generous crop."

I heard a guy say once to the pastor, "Pastor, I tried this tithing thing, and it didn't work."

And he said, "Well, when did you start?"

"Last week."

I was raised on a farm, and I know when I plant a seed that we don't go back out the next day, and that seed is ready to harvest.

Sometimes we sow in one season and we reap in another season.

Some of you have been sowing, and you haven't seen the harvest, but I'm telling you, your season is coming. Don't quit; don't give up.

Number seven: God promises that my giving is stored up in heaven.

1 Timothy 6 says, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, you'll lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age so that you may take hold of the life that is truly life."

I don't understand this, but He says through my giving, through my returning the tithe, and through my sacrificial giving, I'm laying up treasures, resources in heaven.

I don't know if in heaven there's an economy and we get to spend things that we've already sent up. I don't know. I've never even thought about it. That's kind of childish to even think.

I don't know, but it just says—look, here's another one: Five times in the New Testament, Jesus says what you give, it's not just here.

See, some people will work so much on their retirement, make sure their retirement is right, make sure their retirement is right, and that's for after you retire—what, a few years?

Maybe you get five, ten, maybe you get twenty years, and that's it.

But eternity is trillions and zillions and billions of years, and we're so focused on making sure that we've got plenty now, and we fail to return the tithe and sow a seed, and we're not laying up anything in heaven.

Here's what Jesus said in Matthew 6: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin can destroy, where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal."

So, you say, "Okay, where's my starting point?"

Well, I think the starting point would be just the basic of returning the tithe back to God.

I was taught as a kid when I made $10 mowing a yard, a dollar of that belonged to God.

You don't spend God's money.

Maybe the reason you've been in a financial crisis is that you're spending the tithe on yourself, and God says, "Trust me."

In fact, if you want to look at the scripture, let's look at this. It's in Malachi. You know I had to get there.

It starts off with a negative; it starts off with a warning, but then it gets into the promise that God blesses.

It says, "Should people cheat God? Of course not! We would never cheat God."

But God is saying, "But you've cheated me."

But you ask, "How do you mean? When did we cheat you?"

"You cheated me of the tithe and the offerings due to me. You're under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me."

But then He says, "Here's how you break that curse."

You see, it's not a curse like, "Oh, I can't do it," but it's like a curse that I invite on myself because if I'm not a faithful tither and giver, then I tie God's hands to be able to bring these blessings that we talk about.

So, He says, "It's not that you cheat me from money, but you cheat me from being able to bring these promises and show them up in your life."

So then He goes on and says, "Try me; put me to the test. Bring all the tithe into the storehouse."

You see, tithing doesn't go to your favorite charity. Tithing doesn't go to your troubled kids that are in trouble. Tithing doesn't go there.

Tithing goes to one place: a storehouse—that's the church where you're fed, where you're blessed.

Beyond that, offerings can go to a lot of different places.

The rebuke was, He said, "You're not tithing."

But the reward, He says, "Test me; try me in this. See if your crops won't be abundant, for I will guard them from the insects and the disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the Lord.

"Then all the nations will call you blessed, and you will be a delight."

You say, "Why do I start with the tithe?"

Because Deuteronomy 14 says this: "The purpose of tithing is to teach us to always put God first in our lives."

Anything other than first is an idol.

The first part of the morning, I give Him.

You see, if you need more time, you need to start giving time to God.

If you need more energy, you need to sow your energy into serving God.

Anita and I, the first of the morning, we get up, grab a cup of coffee, we do our YouVersion Bible study, we pray, we worship.

On the first day of every week, on Sunday, we come to give this time to God.

And all He asks is, "Would you start just returning the tithe—10% of your increase?"

You can do that today. You can use the giving envelope.

You can take that home. You say, "Well, I just don't know."

Well, Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "Your heart will be wherever your treasure is."

If my treasure is that I'm laying up in heaven, that's where my heart is, and I'm not focused.

So, I can lose everything; the economy can go bust, but I know God's going to take care of me because I've laid up treasures.

Would you bow your heads with me, and let me pray for us?

Lord, we bow before You right now, and this is kind of an uncomfortable, scary time for some that are here today because some are feeling guilty because they don't.

But You never ask us to give out of guilt; You ask us to give cheerfully.

So, Lord, I pray today that You'd help us to realize that the same God who died for us is the same God that loves us and said, "I'll keep the promises and bless you."

You said these are seven things—seven promises that we can have.

Would you pray this with me out loud?

"God, I want these seven promises in my life. I want my children to be blessed. I want my work and my business to be blessed. I want my influence to be increased. I want to end up with more than I've got. I want to trust You with all of my needs. I want to believe that You will multiply.

So today, I commit or recommit to giving the first 10% back to You. I'm going to trust Your promises. I'm going to believe Your word. I can't do it on my own, but You said to test You, so I'm going to test You, Lord. I'm going to start at step one in Your name."

Would you just continue to pray? Your heads bowed, you're praying about your own life right now—what God would say for you to do.

We'll begin receiving the tithe and offering in just a minute as worship unto the Lord.

But first of all, I want to pray for those of you that may be here, and you've never invited this wonderful Jesus into your heart and into your life.

You're not here today by accident; you're here on purpose, and He wants you to know without a shadow of a doubt that He loves you more than anything else.

He loves you so much that He left the splendor of heaven, and He came to this earth. He lived a sinless life, and He died on the cross for your sins and my sins.

But on the third day, He rose, scripture says, so that as many as call upon Him could be saved.

So, man, I don't want you to leave here today uncertain about your future. I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt that your future is secure in the promises of God.

Maybe years ago you were committed to the Lord, but you've wandered away from Him. But today, you want to commit or recommit your life to Him.

Would you raise your hand and make eye contact with me today and say, "That's me"?

Thank you.

Others today?

Thank you, ma'am.

Others today say, "Yeah, that's me."

I want to make that.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you.

Hands going up all over today.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

So special, so wonderful today.

And those of you that are watching online, the same thing—just raise your hand and say, "Yeah, today is the day."

Remember the day that you raised your hand. Remember the day you walked the aisle. Remember the day that you came and knelt at the altar, and your life changed on that day.

Let's pray with those who are going to pray this prayer.

Those of you who raised your hand, let me help you with a prayer. I can give you the words, but you have to surrender the heart.

Pray this prayer with me. We'll all pray this prayer today.

"Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for my sins. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Save me today. I confess with my mouth and I believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord, and I believe as sure as that You rose from the dead, You give me a second chance today to really live. Fill me with Your Spirit. In Your name, Jesus, amen."

Church, would you celebrate with me today with those who prayed that prayer?

Listen, the ushers are coming. We're going to receive the tithe and the offering. Drop in your connection card if you have a prayer request or a need.

Today's the day to start and pray about next week what you're going to give.

Would you remain seated until the offering bucket passes?

As the ushers will receive the tithe and the offering, and our overseers and our policemen will be able to oversee that.

Let me remind you, next week is Easter. Bring people!

We're going to have extra chairs; we're going to make room.

There'll be still some tickets outside, I think, for the 7:30 service. Be sure to honor the ticket that you have.

The ushers are coming down to receive the tithe and the offering.

If you prayed that prayer with me today, first step here—first step here—we have resources for you.

After the bucket passes, let's stand and let's worship.

Don't hurry out until the bucket passes by.

Let's help our ushers and our officers.

Thank you today.

Jehovah Nissi, fight your battles.

Jehovah Jireh, meet your needs.

Jehovah Rapha, heal your body.

Shalom, be your peace.

Jehovah Nissi, fight your battles.

Jehovah Jireh, meet your needs.

Jehovah Rapha, heal your body.

Jehovah Shalom, be your peace.

1) "God promises good things will happen to me when I'm generous if I learn to give like God gives. God promises Terry there's going to be good things that's going to happen to your life. Good will come to the man who is ready to give much. Blessed are those who are generous. What I find is that giving is the key that unlocks the door to these blessings of God. I want those blessings Lord, I want good things to happen in my life. Alright, right then get ready to be a giver." [49:56](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



2) "God promises my children will be blessed if I learn to give like God gives. So giving is not just about me but when I give the promise is that my children, my children's children are going to be blessed. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing or one translation says their children will be blessed." [50:42](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



3) "God promises he will bless my work and my business if I learn to be generous. God will bless my business, my work, my investments, my adventures that I go through in life. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first part of all your income. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine." [51:22](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



4) "God promises that if I learn to be generous I will end up with more. Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." [53:24](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



5) "God promises that if I learn to give like he gives, he will multiply what I give. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." [01:06:49](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



6) "God promises that my giving is stored up in heaven. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." [01:08:15](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



7) "The purpose of tithing is to teach us to always put God first in our lives. Anything other than first is an idol. The first part of the morning I give him. If you need more time, you need to start giving time to God. If you need more energy, you need to sow your energy into serving God." [01:12:53](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)



8) "I'm not teaching this today because the church needs more money. I'm not teaching this today because God needs money, no he doesn't. I'm not teaching this today because I get a percentage of the increase, no my salary is set by an independent group of people and it's set by national standards so it really doesn't affect me whatsoever, but it affects you." [01:01:31](Make clip | Crop for social media | Crop + Caption)