Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Disclosure: We talk about giving just twice a year, but every time we do—it matters. Not because of dollar signs or numbers, but because money is spiritual. It’s a reflection of where our hearts truly are.herefore, we have a CPA firm that monthly reviews all our income and expenses. Our CPA then submits our budget vs actuals every month to our church board treasurer. which holds me responsible for how this church stewards its finances. As a salaried employee, I have no self interest in the increase of giving today. My prayer is that you will catch the vision of why we give biblically, and the impact it will have in you, your family, our city and around the world.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus gives us a priority check: Seek first His kingdom, and everything else—your needs, your provision, your peace—will follow. But that order matters. When God is first, worry fades. When money is first, worry rules.
The Trap of Chasing “More”
Let’s be honest. There are many people that you “work to live” instead of “living to work.” Overtime is no longer a blessing, but it becomes a necessity to maintain a lifestyle that is a never-ending hole of dissatisfaction. The relentless pursuit of money FIRST, always puts God last.But if you put things in the right order by seeking God, striving to be like Him, unyielding in your worship, and relentless in your commitment.
Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:31-32 not to let material concerns dominate our minds like they do for unbelievers. When you relentlessly pursue money, God inevitably gets pushed to the background. But when God is first, everything else falls into place.
We’ve bought the lie that more stuff = more happiness, but it’s not true. That next gadget, car, or credit card swipe may feel good for a moment—but it’s a trap that can steal your joy, peace, and financial future.
Breaking Free From Financial Bondage
Step one: stop going into debt.
Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” And that’s exactly what debt does—it enslaves. Every credit card swipe and car loan becomes a shackle.
As Dave Ramsey says:
“Debt is normal. But you should not want to be normal. Be weird. Live sacrificially now to invest in a peaceful future.”
While financial stats show over half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck….(some stats show as much as 78%). And because of this, they are literally drowning in the drug of consumerism.
STILL… marketing ads keep getting more and more aggressive every day. This is targeting the vulnerable, targeting the weak, targeting the tired and making them feel that they need more stuff to be fulfilled. This is a lie from hell!
You don’t have to live this way. It’s possible to:
- Be free from car payments
- Pay off credit cards
- Eliminate student loan debt
- Live without financial chains
Starting in May, our church is launching Financial Peace University—a powerful class designed to walk you step-by-step toward financial freedom. It’s not just about money—it’s about reclaiming your life.
Stewardship: It All Belongs to Him
Here’s a truth we often forget: 100% of what we have belongs to God. We’re just stewards. That’s why giving is so powerful—it re-centers our hearts.
Tithing, giving 10% of your gross income, isn’t about amounts. It’s about putting God first. Whether it’s $10 or $10,000, that first tenth is holy. It says, “God, You’re my source. I trust You.” I said this at the beginning but let me say it again…. money is spiritual. Show me a person’s giving statement, and I will show you their priorities.
I’ve tithed since I was 15 years old. Over 39 years, God has proven Himself faithful. There have been seasons of plenty and seasons of just enough—but never seasons of lack. Why? Because when I gave God the first 10%, He blessed the other 90% with more than I could imagine.
God’s Promise: You Can Test Him
Malachi 3:10-12 offers a bold challenge:
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… and prove me now… if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing…”
This is the only place in Scripture where God literally says, “Try Me.” If you’ve never tithed before, we’re inviting you to join us in a 4-month tithing challenge. Test God. Watch Him move.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to go deeper in generosity, here are a few giving opportunities beyond tithing:
- Offering: Special sacrificial giving
- Missions: Spreading the gospel around the world
- Building Fund: Investing in future generations
Closing Thought
Jesus made it clear: You can’t serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
But when we seek first His kingdom, the worry lifts. The pressure fades. And your finances become a tool for peace, not stress.
It’s time to flip the script. It’s time to live differently. It’s time to pursue God relentlessly—even with your wallet.
