November 10, 2024
Series: Openhanded

Sermon: Monkey See...Monkey Do!

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

'“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. '

INTRODUCTION: What we do with our money shows what we truly believe. -Randy Alcorn

Keys to Living Openhanded:

Recognize God is the Owner...

“When we acknowledge God’s ownership, every spending decision becomes a spiritual decision.

- Howard Dayton

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

-‭‭Psalms‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. Realize we are managers of God blessings.

“In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB

3. Repent of ownership.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

-‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Three things we notice here in Malachi 3:10-12: (-Scott Newton)

First, obedience in giving is a principle that is personal with God.

Second, obedience in giving has a purpose that is practical for the Church.

Third, obedience in giving includes a provision that is promised to you.

CONCLUSION: The BLESSED LIFE is the GOD FIRST LIFE.

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