The Things of the Heart

The Gospel of Money
The Things of the Heart

I. Introduction

A. I trust God?

B. I trust God?

Malachi 3:10 (NLT) “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”

C. Trusting God is an process.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) ¹⁹“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT) ³³“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ³⁴So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

II. Why We Give

A. We give as an act of .

Deuteronomy 16:17 (NLT) All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God.

2 Chronicles 29:31 (NLT) Then Hezekiah declared, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, bring your sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings to the Temple of the LORD.” So the people brought their sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings, too.

B. We give as an in God’s Kingdom.

Matthew 6:21 (NLT) “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Luke 12:33-34 (NLT) ³³“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

C. We give to build .

1 John 3:16-18 (NLT) ¹⁶We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? ¹⁸Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

D. We give to experience .

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NLT) ⁶Remember 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. ⁷You 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.” ⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” ¹⁰For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. ¹¹Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹²So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. ¹³As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

E. When we give, we become part of something .

III. Conclusion