God First – Part 3
The Power Of The Seed God’s plan for everything is multiplication. God’s plan for our lives is to multiply everything in our lives. That includes multiplying the seeds sown in our lives. Even our finances. Our finances are a seed. The world functions on a system of receiving and consuming. God’s system functions on a system of receiving and sowing. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 We need to understand that in order to function in God’s economy we need to know what it means to receive and sow. Lack is rooted in a scarcity mindset. Scarcity mindset is the logic that “there is only so much to go around for everyone”. In God’s system there is no lack. There is plenty to go around Scarcity Cycle What we do after that is, we hold on. But, we need to break the cycle. If you constantly find yourself in the same place then it is not lack, it is a scarcity cycle. We cannot do the same thing and expect a different result. Breaking the scarcity cycle: We Give Generously We need to co-labour with God. We partner with His word and sow into that. 6 [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. 7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 God Multiplies Giving should be delight. And when you give from a celebratory point of view, God gives you more so that you can give more. God expects our giving to be faith-based, voluntary, and cheerful—not legalistic, oppressive, or mandatory. 10 And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. 11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (47:30) verse 11 (52:27) Cycle Of Supply Tithing breaks the cycle of scarcity and starts a cycle of fresh supply. 3 things the tithe does in our lives Teaches Us To Put God 1st 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 there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place he shall choose as his sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the first born of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 Builds Our Faith …Test me in this…” Malachi 3:10 The only time we can test God is with our tithes. God is saying give me your first and best and I’ll bless the rest Provides For The Work Of God’s House Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10 Are you growing? Are you fruitful? Are you being transformed? If yes, then grow what’s growing you. Build what’s building you. The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household. Ezekiel 44:30 Ask yourself, are you a part of the we or the me? Are you a consumer or a contributor?