Name It, Claim It

Name It, Claim It!

Gen 13:8-17

I. Describe Abraham and Lot’s dilemma.

a. Lot took the “Good” looking land! He chose city dwelling! He took what looked good to the eye.

b. But Abraham decided to be a tent dweller. He chose to be a man that followed God. Looking for a city, whose builder and maker is God!

c. Abraham was born a Gentile, but left a Jew.

d. By faith, Abraham left his homeland, following God, living in a tent, searching for his new home.

e. Folks, we are to walk by faith! And God has given us an inheritance! He’s blessed you! He’s blessed me!

f. He told Abraham, “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

g. Church, I want to tell you that for so long we’ve set back and have been satisfied with just living a poor lifestyle, and I’m talking about: Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually!

h. But I’m here to tell you that God has something more for you! He’s a God of more than enough! He’s a God of plenty! He don’t want you to just barely get by! But He wants you to succeed in all areas of life!

i. Folks, I want to tell you, Abraham was a wealthy man! Look at Genesis 13:2, “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”

j. Isaac was not too bad off either, Gen 26:12 says, “12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

k. Folks, I don’t have a problem with wealth, but I’ll let you know that our Father in Heaven has more wealth than all the banks in this world! And if I’m His child, I’m rich! Peter said it right that day at the Gate Beautiful, “Silver and gold I don’t have, but what I have I give you!” Friend, Peter might not have had silver and gold, he might not have been rich in the world’s eyes, but he was rich in Christ!

l. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

m. Church, if you will honor the Lord with your first fruits, “Off the Top” God will fill your barns with plenty! He’ll overflow your vats with the best of wine!

n. Mark 10:17-22 “17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

II. Difficulty of Riches

a. Giving must come from the heart! Cheerfully! Unreservedly! Willingly! Honestly!

b. Jesus said, it’s hard for a rich person to enter heaven because their trust is in their wealth! This young ruler lived a morally sound God loving life! But he lacked one thing that would keep him out of heaven, His love for fellowman! He simply relied on his wealth more than he relied on God for his wealth.

c. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, as a matter of fact, God is honored by His Word to bless you with riches, the problem however, is people can’t stand to be blessed financially by God!

d. Malachi 3:8-12 says, “8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try 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 such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; 12 And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.