Habits: Treasure (Tithing), Time and Talent

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bro. Kevin steps in to teach the youth lessons on Treasure (Tithing), Time and Talents that they have to give back to God. Where does everything we own come from? Everything we have is a gift from God. (Deuteronomy 8:10)

The 3 T's in God's Blessings when we give them back to God:

1. Treasure (Tithing) - God loves a cheerful giver. If the youth form a habit early in giving their tithes, they will have more control of their finances as adults. You will never miss what you don't have! You will not have a hold on something if you never had it. Tithing is giving 10% of your earnings or what was given to you to your local church for the glory of God. When you give cheerfully, you will receive blessings from God. Give God the best of what you have. If you start tithing now, it will come back to you. It all starts with something. It all starts with a mindset. It starts with cheerfully giving! (Proverbs 3:9) Everything you have is God's. He has entrusted everything in your power to control it. In Genesis 14...Abram gave a tenth of everything he had. In 2 Chronicles Hezekiah did what was good and right before the Lord in obedience and commands and he prospered! What is stopping you from tithing? Is it greed? Can you let go of the greed? You might ask what does the church do with the tithes? It goes to pay for buildings, power, food, missions, etc. It's all God's but it's being used for God's glory! The tithe is not yours to give to God, it is God's gift to you to give back to Him. God wants you to be happy. He wants to bless you! Don't forget to praise Him even for the little things.
2. Time - take 10% of your time everyday and give it to God. So, do the math...10% of 24 hours = 2 hours and 24 minutes we should be dedicating to God everyday! (This is a minimum amount of time)...what can we do? We can read our Bible, pray, witness to others, etc.
3. Talents - we all have spiritual gifts...we all have the ability to strengthen the church. Each of you have talents. When you come to church more you become more knowledgable learning about God and also become a stronger witness for Him.

Are you giving God your absolute best? Can you give God the glory?

If you need Jesus in your heart, read Romans 10: 9-10...Plan of Salvation
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."

To God be All the Glory!!!

H.A.B.I.T.S. SERIES

Wednesday, Pastor Shane took us through the 5th teaching in a 6 week series on H.A.B.I.T.S.

• H. - Hang Time with God (spending time with God)

A. - Accountability (being held accountable)

B. - Bible Memorization (planting God's Word in your life)

I. - Involving Yourself in the Church (doing something for others)

T. - Tithing (giving God 10% of your best that you have)

If our attitude is right, we will give in our right mind. Be a cheerful giver and not give grudgingly.

~Studying Exodus 35:20-24...So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold--brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord. All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather. And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the Lord. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.

Exodus 36:4-6...Finally the craftsman who were working on the sanctuary left their work. They went to Moses and reported, "The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!" So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: "Men and women, don't prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!" So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings.

Question...What would happen if we gave God above and beyond our 10%? What if we gave and kept giving until we had enough to do the jobs that needed to be done? Think of the possibilities!

Lessons About Our Resources:

1. Everything we have is a gift from God. (we forget EVERYTHING comes from God) Deuteronomy 8:10
2. We are to give God back the best we have. Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8-12 (give God your 1st and best)!
3. We should give generously to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Notes: To give beyond the tithe is called an offering. Your tithes should be given to your local church.

3 T's:

1. Time (giving God 10% of 24 hrs. is 2 hrs. 15 mins).
2. Talent (giving God the best of what you do best)
3. Treasure (giving God the best of what you have)