Stewardship- My Heart Always Goes Where I Put God’s Money

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

Monday: Seeking Fulfillment of God’s Purposes

Laying up treasures in Heaven is not limited to tithing but is accomplished by all acts of obedience to God. There is a sense in which giving our money to God’s work is like investing in Heaven. But our intention should be to seek the fulfillment of God’s purposes in all we do, not merely what we do with our money. How are we working now to further the kingdom? Pray for God to show you specific ways that He would have you accomplish this.

Tuesday: Where’s Your Heart?

What do you value? An easy way to discover what you value is to look at where you place your resources. What do you spend your time doing?

What do you spend your money on?

What is precious to you?

Read Proverbs 3:9,10

The ‘firstfruits’ refers to the practice of giving the first and best portion of harvest for God’s use. Consider what you value. Are you giving God your firstfruits or your leftovers?

Wednesday: Word Study- Firstfruits

Definition: the earliest gathered fruits offered to God in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness

Giving our first fruits is a way to acknowledge what God has given to us.

Read Deuteronomy 26:9-11

Notice that The offerer is here appointed, when he has finished the service, to give glory to God: Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God. His first-fruits were not accepted without further acts of adoration. A humble, reverent, thankful heart is that which God looks at and requires, and, without this, all we can put in a basket will not avail.

Thursday: Firstfruits or Leftovers?

What is the first thing you do with what God has given you?

Read Proverbs 3:9,10

Many people give God their leftovers. At the end of the week, if they can afford to donate anything, they do so. These people may be sincere and may also contribute willingly. Their attitude is simply backward. We should give God the first portion of all that we have to offer. First, this shows that we have faith that God will provide for all of our needs. Second, this demonstrates that above our possessions, we value putting God first in our lives and that we comprehend that all of our possessions belong to Him. We are simply managers of His resources. Third, giving helps us conquer greed and gives the opportunity for God to bless us.

Friday: Firstfruits Multiplied

Read:  Mark 10:29,30

Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same form. For example, someone may be rejected by their family for accepting Christ, but he or she will gain a larger family of believers.

Now read verse 31: Firstfruits- Giving Through Service

Jesus explained that in the world to come, the values of this world will be reversed. Those who are humble here will be great in Heaven. The corrupt conditions of our society encourage confusion in values. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good, and Jesus’ teaching about service to others seems alien. But those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in Heaven.