This morning Pastor Dale talked
about trusting God, specifically for our finances. Storing our treasures in heaven is an
indication that we trust Him to provide for us today and to keep His promises
to us. Many of God's promises are
conditional. He has made promises to us
that are dependent on us doing our part.
Here's just a few:
|
Verse
|
Our Part
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God's Part
|
|
Matt. 6:33
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Seek first the things of God's kingdom
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Provide for what we need in this temporal kingdom
|
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Mal. 3:10-11
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Bring tithes to the storehouse
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Pour out blessings
& rebuke the devour
|
|
Isa. 26:3
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Keep our mind on God &
trust Him
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He will keep us in perfect peace
|
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Matt. 11:28
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Come to God
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He will give you rest
|
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James 4:7
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Submit to God; Resist the Devil
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The devil will flee from you
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James 4:8
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Draw near to God
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He will draw near to you
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James 4:10
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Humble yourself in God's sight
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He will lift you up
|
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John 3:16
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Believe in Jesus
|
He will give you eternal
life
|
What a challenge to us to not be "selective"
believers of God's Word. He is the
keeper of all of His promises. How we
miss out when we believe Him for the things of the next life, and ignore His
promises to us to equip us and enable us in this life.
No one is able to
serve two masters… No one is able to serve God and possessions. Matthew 6:24 NET
Jesus is challenging us to stop trying to do the impossible.
I love this chart Cathy. Thanks. God is always faithful to His promises. This morning as I was listening to the sermon I was reminded of how faithful God is in this promise of our tithes and offerings, from Malachi 3. I have seen it in our finances. When the paycheck comes in and there's not enough to pay the bills, and we write the tithe check first, some how there's enough. I know it sounds crazy. I'm a bookkeeper, my check-book is balanced to the penny. Believe me this doesn't make sense, but I've seen it over and over. God's accounting is blessing, abundance, overflowing. He's an amazing God that keeps His promises.
ReplyDeleteI testify to the freedom that is found in not considering anything that we have as our own, but rather God's and therefor His to use as He wills...Because we are stewards and not owners of the resources God has provided, I believe we are to spend conservatively - especially on ourselves- and give liberally. I cannot think of even a single time when Ponzio or I have been disappointed after obeying God to give in some way beyond the tithe, but we could fill pages with testimony of His provision in response to our obedience...some are nothing short of miraculous! This is certainly not a testimony of our goodness, but rather of God's goodness and the absolute truth of His Word to us.
ReplyDeleteI was encouraged to remember to be a good steward of EVERY gift the Lord has given me - not just my time, or my tithing. He has gifted us in so many ways...Am I using them for His glory, or my gain? Tithing is an expression of my love and obedience, these must come first. If I want to truly bless God, I must obey Him.
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