I think it’s worth every pastor taking an hour and listen to this message. But if you just can’t, I’ve highlighted his points and some key things Dr. Morris states.
I love to hear your thoughts.
“Don’t apologize for preaching God’s Word”
The devil has lied to us to think we have an ulterior motive when we preach on giving.
Don’t Apologize for Preaching About Giving
Matt. 7:1-2 Luke 6:37-38 What’s the theme? It’s about judging. Not money.
-Good measure, pressdown…is actually bad news. this is how Judgment, condemnation & unforgiveness will be giving back to you.
It’s OK to use when talking about giving, however we need to teach our people that this is not the motivation for giving, good measure, press down, shaken together… is the reward for giving with the right heart.
God does not bless giving; He blesses giving with the right heart.
God did not inventing giving to bless the giver or raise money for Kingdom work, He invented giving to weed pride and selfishness out of our lives.
(By the way, Gateway does not pass the offering plate. They have boxes at the back and in the lobby.)
You can’t preach on God’s Word without preaching on giving. Robert preaches on giving every week, but only talks about money a few times a year.
Preaching on giving is not preaching on money.
We are the most like God when we give.
“For God so loved…He Gave…”
Don’t Apologize for Preaching About Money
If people don’t learn about money from pastors where will they learn it?
Luke 16:9-13
All money has a spirit on it. Either the spirit of God or the spirit of Mammon. The way you redeem money is to tithe on it and then the Spirit of God resides on it.
Here is a lie…”If you had more money you could reach more people.” Money doesn’t reach people the Holy Spirit reaches people.
The answer to your church problems is not more money, it’s more God.
Dont Apologize for Preaching About Tithing
It’s not just about 10% it’s about the FIRST 10%. Exodus 23:19
God uses the word “bring” and not “give” because you cant give what does not belong to you. You can only bring it. You can’t pay or give your tithes, you can only bring it or return it.
Or you can steal it.
When it comes to the tithe, you can only be one of 2 people: bringer or a thief.
Exodus 13:1-2 & 12-13
God could only accept Able’s sacrifice and not Cain’s because Cain’s was not the first fruits.
We need to teach our people to give the first.
How do we tithe first?
It’s the first one that leaves your hand.
The mortgage company does not have the power to bless your finances.
Dr. Morris gives online on the mornings he gets paid.
God wants to know who’s first in your heart.
Your children will ask you why you do this…(sacrifice the first born)…tell him “we were once slaves by God has redeemed us.”
“We wern’t always blessed, but God… That’s why I gladly give God the first of all we have.”
Don’t apologize…preach with confidence and boldness and your people will grow.
Let's Take Some Action
What can you do? Here’s some suggestions:
- Preach with confidence. What can you do to be more confident when you preach about giving, money & tithing?
- Leverage your online giving to help people to understand the idea of FIRST and lead the way as pastors and staff.
- Take some of these ideas in this message and craft your own confident message or series. Like: “The Bringer & the Thief” or “How To Give When You’re Broke” (talk about giving NOT money)
Mark Walker
After 21 years in full-time church ministry in both pastoral and operations, Mark now oversees all church and business solutions at the Assemblies of God Credit Union. Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma Mark now resides in Springfield, Missouri with his wife and two children. His passion is fixed on creating tools to help the local church make a massive impact in their communities.
