Not in My House Series
Who Are You Banking With?
January 17, 2010
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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21 (NASB)
I God’s bank is not in recession
A Paul confirms in Philippians 4 that God’s accounting is not affected by the global economy.
1 He had received a love offering from Philippi to help his ministry, spread the Gospel, & expand the Kingdom.
a Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. Phil 4:17 (NASB)
aa Giving to ministry, Lord’s work is fruit of spiritual growth.
bb Their giving increased (NIV: credited to) their account. Where? The Bank of Jehovah
b But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Phil 4:18 (NASB) Paul says his needs have been met through the sacrificial giving of the believers at Philippi (incense, sacrifice).
2 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (NASB)
a My God (not Allah) shall-no stronger word
b ALL of your needs (in full, abundance, amply supplied)
c According to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (the treasury of heaven backs up God’s blessings)
aa His riches aren’t wrapped up in the stock market, credit market, real estate
B When we give, especially to the advance of the work of the Lord, we are promised access to the “riches”.
1 Who of us would save money for our kids & them make it impossible for them to access it?
a There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.25 The generous man will be prosperous , and he who waters will himself be watered. Prov 11:24-25 (NASB)
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed. Prov 19:17 (NASB)
He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Prov 22:9 (NASB)
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. Prov 28:27 (NASB)
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Matt 5:7 (NASB)
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Luke 6:38 (NASB)
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.2 Cor 9:6 (NASB)
b It doesn’t matter what happens on Wall Street, Dow Jones, White House because the blessing God promises you is wrapped in who He is.
2 Let faith rise up in you...not fear (for your help comes from the Lord).
a (IL) When Chicago Cubs start spring training...over 100 years since they won a World Series, drop in their division...I don’t care. I’m a Cardinals fan! They’re my team!
aa The world may stew over World Series, markets...let ‘em.
bb That’s not our team, who we bank with, our provider. I’m a child of God!
b My God shall supply all my needs!
Transitional sentence: Because heaven isn’t affected by earthly recession, His blessings work regardless of the environment it’s placed in. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it. Prov 10:22 (NASB)
II God’s people are not in recession
A In Genesis 14, God is about to bless Abram (Abraham) in a mighty way just for being obedient.
1 His nephew (Lot) lived in Sodom, & had been invaded by them (& neighboring Gommorah), upon hearing of this Abraham (& 318 servants) went after the victorious army...and whipped them.
a He got back all the things-were his by rules of engagement.
b He does two things...
aa Tithes to Melchezedek (10%)
bb Sowed the other 90%. The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself."22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich.' Gen 14:21-23 (NASB)
c What do you think Abraham thought about that night?
aa I just gave away a lot of money! I could’ve fed these men, I have bills to pay at the first of the month. Did I do the right thing?
bb God quickly set Abraham’s mind at ease.
2 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,"Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great."2 Abram said, "O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Gen 15:1-2 (NASB)
a I’m your shield (protection)!
aa Typically a shield protects whoever’s behind it!
bb Abraham, I’m going to protect you, & if they’re going to get you, they have to come through Me first! Satan still hasn’t gotten around God!
b “Your reward shall be very great”
aa Not great-very great! Supersized God-style
bb Reward is given for doing something good.
cc Abraham did things God’s way, & God blessed Him
c Abraham got it because of v. 2a: “what will You give me”
aa That’s not arrogance...acting on God’s promise
bb God opened the windows and blessed him, Israel, & us, too!
d 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. Mal 3:10 (NASB)
B Consider 3 stories from Scripture: Elijah, Elisha, the 5,000
1 Elijah (1 Kings 17) went to widow’s house at Zaraphath & she only had enough food for one meal-God blessed her/man of God for many days.
a Elisha (2 Kings 4) goes to widow in debt, has her gather vessels, & kept pouring oil
b In John 6, 5,000 people were fed with 5 loaves of bread & 2 fish...fed them all until they were full.
2 The only thing God added was His blessing (jug of oil, flour, bread & fish).
a Once the blessing was added, they couldn’t do anything but multiply.
b Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness...2 Cor 9:10 (NASB)
aa He multiplies your seed so you can give it away!
bb As long as He’s your banker, you don’t have to fear because you’re banking at the Bank of Jehovah.
c My God made a giant fish swallow a man & spit him out later; stopped the sun in the middle of a battle because one of His men asked Him to...another time God sped it up a little (science proves that).
aa God gave His only Son to die on a cross & was in hell for 3 days only to rise again victorious
bb Making sure my needs are met are what He does
cc Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us...Eph 3:20 (NASB)
d If I’m in recession, it’s because I stopped doing things His way.
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