FEBRUARY – “Missions: The Heart of God”
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SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
TITHING KEEPS US FROM THE CURSE OF LACK
Malachi 3:9, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”
This verse can initially sound harsh, but it invites us to consider a deeper spiritual principle: when we fail to align our finances with God’s priorities, we inadvertently set ourselves up for the natural consequences of missing out on His blessings.
Understanding the Curse of Lack
A Natural Consequence, Not a Divine Punishment:
Many people mistakenly believe that God actively punishes those who do not tithe by imposing a financial curse. However, the “curse” described in Scripture is less about divine retribution and more about the natural consequences of deviating from God’s principles. When we withhold our tithe, we are essentially choosing to separate ourselves from the channel through which God provides for us. This act of withholding disrupts the flow of blessing that comes from obedience and trust in Him.
Positioning Under Blessing vs. Standing Outside of It:
Tithing is a way of putting God first, by giving back a portion of what He has already provided. When we honor God with our firstfruits—our very first income—we place ourselves under His abundant provision. Conversely, when we neglect to give, we essentially opt out of the blessings that flow from faithful obedience. This isn’t because God withholds blessings arbitrarily, but because our own choices prevent us from fully participating in His plan for abundance.
Biblical Examples: Lessons from Israel’s History
The Story of Achan (Joshua 7):
Achan’s tragic story serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of failing to honor God with what is rightfully His. In Joshua 7, Achan secretly kept for himself some of the spoils that were meant to be dedicated to the Lord. His act of disobedience not only brought personal downfall but also led to a collective defeat for Israel. Achan’s sin underscores that taking what belongs to God—whether by hoarding or withholding—can bring severe consequences. It reminds us that our actions have ripple effects, impacting both our lives and our community’s wellbeing.
The People in Haggai 1:6:
In Haggai, we see another example of neglecting God’s priorities. The people of Israel were working hard yet experiencing a continuous lack. Their daily labor did not translate into lasting provision because they had neglected to prioritize God’s work. Their experience illustrates that no matter how much effort we put into our work, neglecting God’s command to honor Him with our firstfruits ultimately leaves us in a state of perpetual insufficiency. This passage calls us to re-evaluate our financial priorities and to understand that true abundance comes from aligning our resources with God’s purposes.
Tithing: A Gateway to Abundance
Restoring Order and Flow:
When we tithe, we are not merely donating money—we are actively participating in a divine cycle of giving and receiving. By trusting God with our finances, we invite His blessing into every aspect of our economic life. Tithing is an acknowledgment that every resource we possess is ultimately His, and when we return a portion of it, we open ourselves up to His supernatural provision.
Building a Foundation of Trust:
Our financial struggles often stem from a deeper issue: a lack of trust in God’s provision. When we tithe, we demonstrate our faith that God will meet our needs. This act of obedience isn’t just about money—it’s about shifting our perspective from scarcity to abundance. By aligning our financial habits with God’s principles, we break free from the cycle of worry and self-reliance, stepping into a life where God’s promises become our reality.
Prayer
Let’s take a moment to pray and invite God to guide our financial decisions:
“Father, I surrender my finances to You. I confess that at times I have hesitated to fully trust You with my resources. Remove any fear or doubt that keeps me from obeying Your word wholeheartedly. Help me to put You first, trusting that as I honor You with my firstfruits, You will provide for all my needs. Let me experience the fullness of Your abundance as I walk in obedience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Assignment: Reflecting on Our Financial Priorities
- Self-Examination:
- Take some time to look at your finances. Are there areas where you’ve struggled or felt a constant sense of lack?
- Reflect on whether these struggles may be linked to hesitations or reluctance in trusting God with your resources.
- Trust Check:
- Ask yourself: Have I fully trusted God with my finances, or have I been holding back out of fear or uncertainty?
- Consider how your attitude toward money might be affecting your overall well-being.
- Commitment to Change:
- Pray for a heart that is willing to let go of control and to trust God’s timing and provision.
- Make a commitment today to honor God with your finances, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
The principle behind tithing goes far beyond simply supporting the church; it is a declaration of faith and trust in God’s provision. The “curse of lack” mentioned in Malachi 3:9 serves as a sober reminder that distancing ourselves from God’s financial principles leads to unnecessary struggle and limitation. Just as Achan’s disobedience brought defeat and the neglect highlighted in Haggai resulted in constant insufficiency, our own failure to honor God with our resources can set us on a path of ongoing lack.
By choosing to tithe, we align ourselves with a divine flow of blessing, inviting God to provide abundantly and break the chains of financial limitation. May today be a turning point in how you view and handle your finances—moving from a mindset of scarcity to one of divine abundance, built on trust, obedience, and the faithful provision of our loving Father.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Roy Loyd
Ann & Robby Stanley
Ann Stanley
Lamar Knight’s Family in CA Fires
Mae Jackson – Improving
Mrs. Franklin
Paula Ferus
Rebecca Smith
Greg Schriener
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ben Bruce
Carol Lawhead
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
David Newby
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donna Plunkett’s Brother-in-law
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ellen Boyd
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gail Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
George Calhoon
James Burnette
James Parker
Jessica Headrick
Jodi Bateman
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim McClain’s Sister
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary William’s Granddaughter
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher