God’s design for family finances!

Topics: God's bleesing, honor God

1. Transfer ownership!

* You are not the owner but simply the manager of God's money!

1. "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions" (Luke 14:33).
2. "For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all it contains? (Psalm 50:10-12; see Psalm 24:1).

II. Honor God with first fruits!

* You are hurting yourself and robbing God when you fail to give!

1. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine (Pr. 3:9, 10; Lk. 6:3).
2. "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows" (Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7).

III. Manage resources wisely!

* You are to steward God's resources with divine wisdom for eternity!

1. The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave (Pr. 22:7).
2. "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?" (Lk. 16:10, 11).

IV. Enjoy God's blessing!

* You can enjoy the loving blessings that God pours into your life!

1. Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).
2. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity . . . I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11b-13).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, May 26^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

God's design for family finances!

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Practical help and guidance in the area of finances is part of our benevolent ministry. That is also something Life Groups can offer to one another as life brings ups and downs with finances.

Getting Started:

1. Do you acknowledge that God is the owner of everything in your life (your relationships, your use of time, your talents and gifts, your decisions and choices, your life and health and your money and possessions)?
2. How has financial struggles impacted your life, your family and your relationships?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why do you think that Jesus talked more about money and possessions than any other topic (Matthew 6:19-21, 24)?
2. How is the tithe (10%) just the starting place for faithful giving (Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 23:23)? What is the difference between tithes and offerings?
3. If God owns everything, why do you think He wants us to give faithfully, cheerfully and generously?
4. Are you living on a well-planned budget and working hard (Luke 14:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; Proverbs 21:25, 26)?
5. Have you seen God's faithful blessings in your life as a result of your trust in Him with your finances?
6. How can we "learn to be content" in all circumstances, like the Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:11-13)?

Now What? Application:

1. Will you prayerfully consider increasing your giving to the Lord and serving the Lord more faithfully with your time (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7)?
2. Make sure you thank God daily for His abundant provisions in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).