The 4T’s: Treasure

The 4T’s are a spiritual blood test of your heart and relationship with God and what you believe about God.

READY FOR A CHECK- UP?

Physical health is about habits; spiritual health is also about habits

The Spirit Filled Church is devoted in their:

Time, Treasure, Talents, Temple

1. TIME: Prayer & Fasting, The Word, Fellowship, Service

2. TREASURE: Trust in Tithes & Offerings

3. TALENTS: Spiritual Gifts to serve & equip The Church of Jesus Christ

4. TEMPLE: Holy Stewardship of body & mind. Health & purity.

FIRST DIAGNOSTIC QUESTION OF THE HEART?

What do you have? What do you own?

                            Got a car

                            Got a house

                            Got a job

                            Got a hobby

                            Got time

Biblically, what do you own?

Psalm 24:1 (ESV)

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Psalm 24:1 (CSB)

1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;

If you are a believer, you belong to the Lord.

If you are not a believer, you still belong to the Lord!

Psalm 24:1 (CSB)

1 The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;

Time, Treasure, Talents, Temple – mine, but really, I belong to the Lord so they are really HIS!

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NKJV)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

You don’t REALLY own anything.

What do you have that will survive the ACID TEST?

ACID TEST – the only things that are truly yours are those that survive being put through the world’s worst acid.

            Money? NO

            House/possessions? NO

            Body? NO

SLIDE: 4 PILES

            What are you doing with what has been entrusted to you?

Using on yourself?

Luke 12:13–34 (CSB)

13 Someone from the crowd said to him (JESUS), “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

What does it mean to store up treasure for yourself?

What does it mean to be rich toward God?

Luke 12:15

15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

NET WORTH – the value of all your assets less debts

money dysmorphia’ - feeling “irrationally insecure about finances” is trickling down to the masses: in a recent survey by Qualtrics for Credit Karma,

29% of US adults reported experiencing money dysmorphia, while 

~45% of Gen Z and millennials said they were “obsessed” with the idea of being rich.

Social media – about being rich

Luke 12:19

19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!

God calls those who want to “eat, drink and enjoy yourself” – fools, you fool!

1 Timothy 6:9–10 (CSB)

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

NOTICE – MONEY IS NOT THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!

THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT.

We live in a culture that loves money.

            Side hustle

            Side biz

Why do we love money?

            Money promises power

            Money promises control

            Money promises security

            Money promises me to do what I want

            Money promises me to buy what I want

            Money promises me to be what I want

Infected with the disease of “materialism”

            Trying to find happiness, satisfaction and peace in things

RICH MAN – storing up for himself – build bigger barns, amass more wealth.

Do we have money dysmorphia’(feeling “irrationally insecure about finances”)???

WORLD DOESN’T BELIEVE IN GOD, SO INSECURE, BUT CHRISTIANS INSECURE, TOO?

Luke 12:22-30

22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

God knows what you need. He owns it all; He cares for it all. He cares for the birds and the flowers; He cares for you.

Luke 12:31-32

 31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.

Seek His Kingdom – Start There! God first.

He “delights to give you the kingdom”? BUT HE is waiting on us to trust HIM.

Luke 12:33-34

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Money bags that won’t grow old – in HEAVEN

ANSWER THE QUESTION – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE RICH TOWARD GOD?

            Investing in Heavenly Money Bags

Luke 12:33

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.

Giving – generosity – the antidote to materialism/materialitis –

When you give it away, it no longer has a hold on you.

Luke 12:33-34

33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Heavenly money bags –

            investing in the Kingdom –

            invest in God’s work/ministry

            invest in Missions

OPPOSITE IS TRUE – invest in Gold, or Apple or NVIDIA stock – you follow it (is it up? Is it down? When is the earnings announcement?

IS THERE A PLAN OR PRINCIPLE TO BE RICH TOWARD GOD?
First Fruits, Tithes and Offerings

Proverbs 3:5-10 NKJV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

First Fruits – first 1/10 of the harvest

We want to see miracles like the Red Sea part, but rarely do people walk in faith to see those miracles.

Malachi 3:8–12 (NLT)

8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

CHEAT GOD? How?

Tithe = tenth of increase (income)

Throughout the old testament talks about Tithe

Israelites commanded to give a tithe to the Levites

Can’t give 2% and call it a tithe – tithe = 1/10th so true tithing is giving a tenth with above that as offerings.

Ancient Israel gave 23% (2 tithes for various purposes and then another tithe every 3 years for orphans, widows, or sojourners)

Malachi 3:10b (CSB)

Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

Malachi 3:10b (NKJV)

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.”

Malachi 3:10b (NASB20)

and put Me to the test now in this,” says the Lord of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows”

Malachi 3:11–12 (NLT)

11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Teaching Kids giving – don’t really understand the value of money – but when tell to give they give because they know Mom and Dad are paying for everything so easier to give away.

Easier to give away when it is not yours!

            JUST LOOK AT UNITED STATES CONGRESS!

TITHING – is it just Old Testament?

Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils to Melchizedek (Gen 14:19-20)

            Abe doesn’t do it to get God’s blessing but in response to God’s blessing

Jacob – give a tithe in response to God’s promise of blessing and inheritance

Matthew 23:23 (CSB)

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NLT)

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

2 Corinthians 9:8–15 (NLT)

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

KEY POINTS –

In the World – common to not feel like you have enough (money dysmorphia)

We don’t give because we don’t trust God.

We don’t give because we feel money is power and we want power and control.

We don’t give because we are selfish and want things to please ourselves.

Giving is a response to what God has done; not out of guilt

Giving is investing in God’s 401(k)

Tithing is for today and the only place God challenges us to test Him.

APPLICATION

Confess lack of trust in God, and begin the Tithe Challenge – give God the first 10% of every paycheck

Get finances in order – take Financial Peace University

Review your will or trust so that your estate reflects Biblical values.

Struggle with materialism? – give it away

Luke 21:1–4 (CSB)

1 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”