Series Memory Verse: “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 (p.737)
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (p.901)
‘“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! 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…’” Malachi 3:10-11 (p.729)
Requirements Of God’s Financial System:
- Faith
- Trust
- Put God First In Everything I Want Him To Bless.
“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…’” Malachi 3:11 (p.729)
First Mention:
“Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.” Hebrews 7:2-3 (p.923)
Becomes A Part Of The Law:
“One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.” Leviticus 27:30 (p.103)
Jesus Confirms It In The New Testament:
“You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” Matthew 23:23b (p.754)
3 Key Elements Of God’s Financial System:
- Give The First 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!” Malachi 3:10 (p.729)
- Recognize Tithing Is Not Giving.
“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.” Malachi 3:8 (p.729)
“You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.” Malachi 3:9 (p.729)
The Key: Give Yourself First To The Lord.
“They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 (p.886)
My Next Step This Week:
____ I am putting God to the test by accepting the Three-Month Tithe challenge.
____ I already tithe and commit to continue giving the first 10% of my income.
Discussion/Groups Guide: Lord Of The Fries – Part 3
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- What are your top three priorities in life?
- Do your finances reflect those priorities?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: Put God First In Everything I Want Him To Bless.
Series Memory Verse: Matthew 6:21 (p.737)
One Voice Bible Story Background: Malachi 3:10-11 (p.729) – Bring the Tithe Into the Storehouse
- Read Philippians 4:19 (p.901)
- What does this verse make you feel about God?
- How does this verse relate to the first concept of this series that God owns everything?
Our teaching focused on three key elements of God’s financial system:
- Give the First 10%. (Malachi 3:10 (p.729); 2 Chronicles 31:5 (p.886))
- Why does God want us to give the FIRST 10% of what we earn back to Him?
- In 2 Chronicles 31:5, the Israelites responded generously. They gave their tithe. Notice what they brought – food and produce from their fields.
- Why did they give this?
- Recognize Tithing Is Not Giving. (Malachi 3:8 (p.729))
- What is the difference between a “tithe” and an “offering”?
- How does Malachi 3:8 make you feel about not tithing?
- Don’t Steal from God. (Malachi 3:9 (p.729))
- When we are not tithing, we’re stealing from God. That’s a tough thing to hear. What does that make you feel?
- What would you need to do to organize your finances so that it is possible to tithe ten percent of your income to your local church for the next year?
- For those of you who have been tithing, what has been your experience with tithing?
- Have experienced God’s blessings?
The Key: Give Yourself First To The Lord.
- In 2 Corinthians 8:5, it notes that to tithe we should first give ourselves to God. This is becoming a follower of Jesus first, but how does it relate to the follower of Jesus?
- When you tithe, are you reflecting on the fact that you’re giving yourself to God along with your tithe?
My Next Step This Week:
____ I am putting God to the test by accepting the Three-Month Tithe challenge.
____ I already tithe and commit to continue giving the first 10% of my income.