Do you trust Him?

 I want to start with a 'Public Service Announcement' - tomorrow, Monday, April 15th is the Tax filing deadline! I'm really hoping this isn't a surprise to anyone. So if you haven't already filed - make sure you do so before midnight tomorrow.

And here's something I find interesting... It's no secret that I don't trust government overly much. I'm sure we've all heard stories of how government overspends, right? A quick online search reveals examples such as spending $1.7 billion maintaining empty government buildings, or accidentally investing $28 million on forest camouflage uniforms to be used in the deserts of Afghanistan. Whoops...

But here's the thing - despite my lack of trust in government - I still file my taxes. Even though I know - it's estimated that the federal government wastes at least $247 billion in taxpayer money each year - I still file each year. Of course there's the whole 'fear of going to jail thing' if I don't. However - there is also a Biblical precedent for paying the government what you owe. Remember Jesus' words, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."?

Here's where I'm going - if we can do that with government, in whom we may not always trust - can we be faithful in giving to God in whom we can have complete trust? Now of course Jesus was talking about giving God so much more than just financially - but that's where I want to focus this morning.

I understand with reports of out of control inflation, the rising cost of gas and groceries - the idea of talking more about money may not be all that appealing. But it's because money is currently at the forefront of many minds that I feel it's important to address it as a spiritual issue. Your relationship with money is about demonstrating your trust in God and...

I. You receiving God's blessing

The main purpose of the Church is not just to meet a budget. The main purpose of the Church is not just to raise funds so we can have a nice bank balance in case of a rainy day. Money is not our goal - but rather a tool to accomplish a goal. The spiritual reality is - if I neglect speaking on the sensitive issue of money - we tend to forget the purpose of giving and I'm robbing you of a spiritual blessing. Think about the focus of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)...

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus was teaching about giving, about generosity, about breaking the hold that money and things have over you - for your benefit. The focus is not on meeting some financial need - but on you being blessed by loosening your grip on physical things and wealth.

We know this verse, we believe it's true - but it's hard to live that way in a world that revolves around money and things. But it's essential to learn if we want to follow Jesus more closely. And in learning this hard practice - I'd actually encourage you to...

A. Test God

When the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus told him, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." In The Old Testament, God rebuked Israel multiple times for testing His Word and disobeying. But in this one area, we see where God said this to His people, back in Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV)...

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. (9) You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. (10) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

God directed His people in this one area to test Him. And of course, in context, this was specifically directed to the Nation of Israel under Old Testament Law. But this is the same God we serve today. God wanted His people to test Him in their giving so that He could then show them His love by giving His blessings back!

I'm not preaching some prosperity, health and wealth Gospel. God doesn't promise us that if we give generously that we will be rich financially. - But He does promise that we will be blessed!

And I know when the preacher talks about money some get a bit cynical, "All he wants is my money!" What I want is for you to receive blessings by giving generously. And here's my disclaimer - if you are truly bothered by my talking about money - fine, don't give to Deep River - but give to some ministry!

Obviously I want you to support the ministry here - but if it's a choice between you not giving OR giving somewhere else - give somewhere else! Maybe to the Women's Care Center on Broadway, a mission we help support...? - Give and then receive the blessing that comes with that generosity. I trust God enough to provide for Deep River if someone gets upset and stops giving here - but I'm most concerned with each of us learning to give back to God first!

All the way back in the Old Testament, the concept of a tithe was established in the religious law. It was the command that the first 10% of everything you earned, owned or received belonged to God. But we are a New Testament Church, so let's look at...

B. The Law vs. grace

We see this command all the way back in Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)...

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

The law said that the first 10% belonged to the Lord – it was His. It was an obligation to give it back to Him because it was His in the first place. It wasn't really an act of love – it was simply giving God what was His. In reality, you couldn't even give an offering until you had fulfilled that first ten percent. Anything beyond 10% was then counted as a gift, as an offering.

We are no longer under Old Testament Law – but we do repeatedly see in the New Testament where grace goes over and above the law. The law was about religion - but grace is about a relationship. If we struggle over how much we have to give - what might that say about your relationship with money and things compared to your relationship with God and people?

Sacrificial giving, being generous is not out of a sense of 'have to' – but we have the opportunity to be generous because of God's love. It's not about checking off boxes – 'Well, I gave to the Church, I gave to a mission and I gave to the poor – it all equals ten percent, I'm done'. Being generous is about seeking ways to go beyond an obligation.

And I know the biggest struggle people have on this teaching is, "If I give God ten percent of my income, will I still have enough to live on?" Giving back to God is about trust - and we can trust God! Solomon, the wisest man, shared this in Proverbs 3:1-10 (NIV)...

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, (2) for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. (3) Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (4) Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

(7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (8) This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (9) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; (10) then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Our relationship with money is a big deal, and...

II. Money is a spiritual issue

After a rich man apparently thought following Jesus came with too high a price - Jesus taught this in Matthew 19:23-24 (NIV)...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (24) Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

A survey on American's attitudes toward Jesus found, "The more money people make, the less likely they are to have committed themselves to Jesus. Those making more than $100K a year are significantly less likely to have made such a commitment than those making less than $50K. I don't think that's a coincidence.

It's recorded that Jesus taught 36 different parables and 16 of them had to do with our attitude toward money. Does our attitude toward money line up with Jesus' attitude toward money? Do we live out Jesus' words from Matthew 6:24 (NIV)...

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

According to Jesus, you do have to make a choice. He's not saying that you have to take a vow of poverty to follow Him – but you can't be a slave to money and serve God. Do you control your money or does it control you? And what does your giving say about who is in control?

Jesus didn't say it was difficult to serve both God and money, He said you can't. Jesus was personifying money as a rival god. He wants us to understand that money is not just something that's morally neutral. Paul says it this way in 1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NIV)...

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (11) But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Paul was saying that this 'love of money' can drive us to seek it at all costs. Those who love money will commit all sorts of evil acts in order to obtain it. Who do you serve, God or money? One frees you; the other makes you its slave.

And for those who think the Church talks too much about money - I want to share a beautiful truth that's not so secret. When it comes to 'your money'...

A. God doesn't need it

God asks for us to give back to Him in tithes and offerings – but God really doesn't need our money. God isn't the one hurt by you not giving... Let's look at God's words through the Psalmist from Psalms 50:9-10 (NIV)...

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, (10) for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

God created everything. God created the very resources and principles that create wealth. When we understand that, we understand that 'giving' is not for God's benefit, it's for ours. Giving back to God regularly reminds us who owns everything in the first place. Those who desire to be like Jesus remember that everything 'they own' really belongs to God. All of our money and 'stuff' is on loan from God for us to use.

I want to share a quick history lesson for those who may not have been here back in October of 2009. In order to move forward with ministry plans at the time - the leadership had this idea of what we called our "Faith Campaign". We decided to ask God to bless us so that we could then pay off the entire balance of our mortgage, which was right around $30,000. The plan was to free up funds to expand our ministry.

The plan wasn't to simply ask people for money, but to have each of us ask God to bless us so that we could then give over and above our regular offering. And - after a lot of faith, and a lot of prayer, and a lot of work, on November 22nd of 2009 God allowed us to see His hand at work in a very tangible way. The total of our offerings that day was right around $30,000!

It was exciting to be a part of that 'Miracle Day Offering' - and everyone involved had a choice to participate. There was no requirement, but those involved were blessed. I didn't hear a single complaint from those who chose to be involved - they were eager to be a part of God moving in His Church! God could have provided funds to pay for that debt in any number of ways - but He allowed us to be a part of it and to receive the blessing.

The same God who wanted to bless us back in 2009 is still ready and more than able to pour out His blessings! God is not done with us yet! But God's focus is not on money or bills or finances but on you!

B. God wants you

And if He knows that you will use your finances for His purposes - He knows He has you! When you give back to Him, when you recognize that it's all His in the first place – then He has you. And when He has you; when you are all His – that's when you start to reap the blessings of being His child!

And that's when you stop worrying about money and money starts to lose its hold on you. And that's when you stop thinking that you can't possibly afford to tithe and you even learn to give beyond that. When God has you – your mindset turns from how you can figure out how to tithe, to how much more God could do through you!

So What?

Over the past four years specifically, I've struggled with finances with building our home and figuring out medical stuff for my kids. Multiple times, we've had the conversation, Erin and I - do we need to sell the property to pay for ongoing medical treatments..? And God has provided - every time. Not only are we getting treatments with the number one pediatric neurologist in the Midwest - God has provided pilots every month to fly us there at no cost to us.

I say I trust God - does my giving and generosity demonstrate that?

I don't know what anyone here gives. But based on how some of you live - I would probably be correct if I guessed that you were generous givers - both to Deep River and elsewhere. I'd guess it because I see how you trust God, how you respond to others, how you live out your faith.

For those who struggle with giving - God wants to bless you! If you can't possibly figure out how to jump to a figure like 10% and beyond - take a leap of faith. Step out and give more. Start at 4% and work your way higher over months or years.

And again - I'm not asking you to give to meet a budget - I'm hoping you learn to give more to develop a greater trust in God and then enjoy His increased blessings! You cannot 'out give' God!