Two weeks ago we began a sermon series on surrendering. First we talked about the importance of surrendering to God’s Word. Not only reading it, and knowing it, but acting on it. Last week we talked about surrendering our habits. Specifically our bad habits. And this week we are continuing with the subject of surrender, but this week it is on our finances. That’s right, our finances. Because we all love to be told what to do with and how to spend our money, don’t we? Well, before we get all defensive about it, let’s remember one thing. God knows best. He writes the material, and for that matter if He decides that we shouldn’t be receiving any more paychecks, then we don’t, and there isn’t one thing we can do about it. So, as we move on this week, we are going to focus on three different areas of our finances. First, making sure they are being spent in a Godly way. Second, making sure they are being made in a Godly way. And last, but definitely not least, making sure we understand our duty to Give to God what is His.
In Proverbs chapter 3 it reads, “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
There it is, the calling to honor God with our wealth. It specifically says, our wealth. Not our words, not our actions, but in this case, our wealth.
We should probably begin with a simple understanding. God provided every penny, every quarter and every dollar you and I receive. Whether it be through a paycheck, food stamps, child support payments, or a disability check. It is all income and it is all received by us. So, it all came from Him.
Once we understand that, we need to realize that God has just called us to spend that money in ways that Glorify and Honor Him, period. So buying things that are illegal, no matter what they are, is out. There is no gray area. That isn’t a real surprise to anyone I hope. But this might be. Wasting that income, is also out. Now God doesn’t say that we can’t enjoy ourselves or we can’t play a game or have a nice dinner, but that is different than wasting God’s money. Buying a bigger TV when we owe our rent, is wasting our money. Getting a fancier phone, just because we want one, when our children need clothes or a bed to sleep on, is wasting God’s money. Any time we spend money on something that is not needed, when we should be spending it on something that is needed, we waste God’s money. That scripture verse we heard a bit ago, here is the first part again, “Honor the Lord with your wealth”.
Do we ever wonder why our money never seems to go far enough? Do we ever wonder why God doesn’t give us more? This is why. Over and over again in God’s Word, we hear that God gives to those who spend wisely. In Matthew chapter 25 we can read the parable of the talents. Simply put, in verse 29 Jesus tells us this, “For everyone who has, will be given more, and he will have an abundance”. If we go back and read that parable we learn, that the Master doesn’t give more to the person who did not invest wisely. The person who wasted their chance to use the money in a smart way, ends up getting nothing. Those that used the money wisely, receive even more blessings. We will hear those verses a few different times throughout this sermon, but it is basically the same. If we waste it, He does not give us more. And before anyone gets the idea that this may be a ‘get rich quick’ scheme, let me assure you it doesn’t work that way. God already knows why you do it or what you’re going to do with the money. If we think we can fool God by being a good boy or girl with a few paychecks so He gives us a bunch more money, we will be very surprised later on. God gives us what we need. God even gives us the things of our heart, as long as it goes along with His Will. He cannot be fooled, He cannot be lied to. If we think we need more money, and we prove that we are spending it wisely, the first step is… spending what we have, in a way that Honors God. Helping people. Being generous and kind. Giving to God’s Kingdom. Those things are God Honoring.
The second thing we need to learn about surrendering our finances, is this. If we are dishonest in making the money, why would God want to bless that action with more money? Things like stealing are specifically prohibited by God. So, if the definition of stealing is taking something like money, that we did not earn, then anything else, like gambling, is stealing, in God’s eyes.
Millions of people make the deal with God every day, so they can win the lottery, yet it never happens. Because God isn’t going to send a blessing to reward a sin.
Has anyone ever known a person who doesn’t make a lot of money but is basically very happy? How about some hard working man or woman who is basically just getting by, but always seems to get by, none the less? DO you ever wonder why those people are always happy or how they always seem to have just enough?
It is because they work for their money. They honor God by making money honestly. Remember God sees everything. He knows there may be easier ways to get money. He knows there may be money around or even offered to us that we don’t need to work for. Why not? The Devil loves to see people take what isn’t rightfully theirs. But God is different. He rewards hard work. He rewards those who love Him and honor Him. God knows where we get our money and knows when we don’t deserve more.
The third way we learn to surrender our finances is a tough one. If you saw the title of the sermon today, it eludes to this point. The last thing God ever gets from a person trying to be holy, is their wallet or pocketbook. It is just not easy to give money away, if we choose to see it that way.
Malachi 3:10 tells us, “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.”
You can read that verse however you want, but I see it, as a dare. God daring you and I to test Him. Try to see if He is lying or not. Well let me tell you, of all the tithing I have ever paid, I have not once, not even once, missed the money. How is that you may wonder? Because somehow, God always provides for what I need. If I give Him a dollar, he provides for what I may have bought with that dollar. If I give Him $100, He somehow always provides for what I was going to spend that $100 on. It has never failed, not even once.
We heard the scripture verse in the beginning and here it is again, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-10.
You will notice a few things about each scripture verse I read today. You never heard God start those verses with the statement, “If you can afford it” did you? And you never heard me read the words, “unless you really, really, need it”. That is because, we as sinful people will always find a reason to not give. We can always find something else we need really, really, badly.
So as we finish up this week, talking about surrendering our finances to God. Ask yourself these questions.
Do I waste my money? Do I spend it on things that do not honor God? Do I need to make a budget and see where my money goes and change some things?
Or, what about this. Where does my money come from? Do I work for it? Did I work for it? Or am I taking money that doesn’t belong to me? Is there something I can change so my income honors God?
And lastly, Did I honor God and give Him his tithing? Did I glorify God and His church by helping the poor?
Do I agree with scripture, when it tells me to test God and bring my tithing to Him, without expectations, and see what happens?
Do I surrender my finances to God?
Well I pray that you have. If you haven’t, I understand, and so does God. And here is your chance to make it right. Remember God forgives us our mistakes, if we learn from them.
I often wonder how many blessings I would see or receive if I gave God what he deserved. Doesn’t that amaze you? Can you imagine what God wants to do in our life if we actually surrender everything to Him? I do. And I want to give Him the chance to do that in my life. I pray that you do too.
Would you pray with me that we learn what full surrender really is?
