God, what do You want me to do with it?

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

I. Put God First

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce

A. God owns it all

B. Where you spend is what you value

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

C. Give God your first

The tithe is the first 10% of your income.

Only 21% of Christians set their church giving at 10% or more.

II. Plan Your Money

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

You will either plan where your money goes, or your money will decide what happens.

A. Spend less than you make

1 in 5 Americans spend more than they make.

B. Debt is slavery

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

C. Delayed gratification is key

D. Give 10%, save 10%

Storehouse vs. My choice

E. A budget is not optional

Luke 14:28

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Proverbs 21:5

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

A budget will give you the accountability you need to be a good steward.

A Gallup historical poll showed only 1 in 3 Americans utilized a highly detailed written document, app, or software spreadsheet as a budget.

F. Be willing to learn

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

III. The Fruits of Contentment and Self-Control Are Key

A. Contentment is a key fruit

1 Timothy 6:6–8

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

B. Self-Control is a key fruit

Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

IV. Use Money for Kingdom Purposes

2 Corinthians 9:6–8

6 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

A. Offering

This is giving above the 10% (your tithe)

The New Testament church giving uses the 10% as a starting point.

B. Use our resources to help carry one another’s burdens

C. Principle of sowing and reaping

D. Posture of the heart