Warning – Financial Stress is Not Normal!
July 7, 2024

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Progress means: “Proceeding to a higher stage of development.”
Robert Nisbet

“Margin has been stolen away, and progress was the thief.”
Richard Swenson, M.D.

Week One:

As soon as we get rushed or overloaded, the two most important things that we should never let go of are the very first things to go.

1) INTIMATE TIME WITH GOD

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…

2) INTENTIONAL TIME OF REST

“Time of rest” was as much about “faith” as “rest.” Could God do more in 6 days than you could do in 7 days?

Proverbs 21:20 - In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

Margin means: An extra amount allowed beyond what is needed.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1.OUR CULTURE’S DEFINITION OF HAPPINESS:

MORE THAN I CURRENTLY HAVE

Matthew 6:19-21 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

On average, Christ followers in the USA give about 2% of their income toward God. That means about 98% goes to the world.

HOW DO I CREATE MARGIN?

• I PUT GOD FIRST IN MY FINANCES!

WHEN I PUT GOD FIRST:

1) I EXPERIENCE GOD’S BLESSINGS

Malachi 3:10 - 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.

• Tithing builds my FAITH

• Tithing breaks the POWER of materialism and consumerism in my life.

2) I BECOME SUPERNATURALLY CONTENT

Proverbs 15:16 - Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

3) I END UP WITH MORE OF WHAT MATTERS

Proverbs 8:18-19 - With me are riches and honor. With me are lasting wealth and success. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold. My gifts are better than the finest silver.

The choice is yours, you first, or God first?

Sign up for the Tithe Challenge on the church website