156. Treasure in Heaven...taking it with you, tithers , tippers and tightwads
This is a cute precis on Treasure in Heaven
From a website on Treasure in Heaven: www.trbc.org
OUR STEWARDSHIP MONTH THEME
"GIVING: AT A HIGHER LEVEL"
TODAY'S MESSAGE
"LAYING UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN"
Jim Elliot said "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
TEXT: Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
What is "treasure in Heaven"?
According to Randy Alcorn in his book "The Treasure Principle", treasure in Heaven is:
(1) Power, Luke 19:15-17, "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."
(2) Possessions, Matthew 19:21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
(3) Pleasures, Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Heaven's Wall Street Pays 10,000%
Matthew 19:29, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
Our Attitude Towards Money Reveals The Genuineness Of Our Relationship To Christ
Luke 19:8-9, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."
YOU WILL NEVER SEE A HEARSE PULLING A U-HAUL
When John D. Rockefeller died, someone asked John D.'s accountant, "How much did Mr. Rockefeller leave?" "He left it all" was the answer.
Psalm 49:16-17, "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."
BOTTOM LINE
"You cannot take it with you, but, thank God, you can send it on ahead."
Matthew 6:20, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
JESUS - THE WORLD'S BEST ADVISOR
As a Christian we have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by Christ's second coming. This is the ultimate insider trading tip. Earth's currency will become worthless when Christ returns; or when God calls you home in death, whichever comes first. Unlike Martha Stewart or Hillary Clinton, I can give you this inside tip and neither of us will go to jail as most inside traders today should. .
The imminent war with Iraq has the stock market very jittery. If the NASDAQ investors had known in advance that the dot.com bust was coming, many of them could have made millions, or even billions.
THE SECOND COMING IS CERTAIN
Jesus is coming. This is for sure!!! Remember, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Remember, "You cannot take it with you, but, thank God, you can send it on ahead." Remember, Matthew 6:20, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
"THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE"
Randy Alcorn, in his new book, "The Treasure Principle", lists six keys to understanding "The Treasure Principle":
Key #1: "God owns everything. I am his money manager."
We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted - not given - to us.
Key #2: "My heart always goes where I put my money".
Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.
Key #3: "Heaven, not earth, is my home."
We are citizens of "a better country--- a heavenly one".
Hebrews 11:16.
Key #4: "I should live not for the dot but for the line".
From the dot our present life on earth extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.
Key #5: "Giving is the only antidote to materialism".
Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.
Key #6: "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving".
God gives us more money than we need so we can give generously.
HOW DO I BEGIN GIVING TO GOD?
First, you only have five things to give to God:
Time, talent, treasure, temple and testimony.
What is your present level of giving?
There are three kinds of givers to God - tithers, tippers and tightwads.
Among tithers, all give at least 10% of their total income to Christ. This is the basic requirement of a tither. Many tithers give far beyond the 10% beginning level.
Jesus said more about money than almost any other topic. He warned us of the dangers of materialism. In Matthew 6:24, He reminded us that no one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and mammon,
Only tithers are guaranteed God's provision.
Deuteronomy 8:18, "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
LEARNING THE PROPER USE OF MONEY.
Money is a gift from God and the ability to make money is part of God's plan for the human race. God told Adam and Eve to till the ground and subdue the earth. This "cultural mandate" is part of God's purpose for our lives. We are to develop the earth's resources to the glory of God. We are not to misuse those resources, nor are we to neglect them.
WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD TITHE.
(1) Revival cannot be experienced in the New Testament Church unless good stewardship is practiced.
(2) Tithing is Biblical.
Tithing was commanded and practiced:
(a) Before the Law of Moses: Genesis 14:20 "And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."
(b) Under the Law of Moses: Leviticus 27:30 "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD."
Malachi 3:8-10 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
© During the life and ministry of Christ: Matthew 23:23
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
(d) During the Church Age: Hebrews 7:5-8 " And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
(3) Tithing is Christian.
Because:
(a) It is based on obedience. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep commandments..."
(b) Tithing is on the Basic Checklist for Victorious Christian Living-- Bible study, prayer, church attendance, water baptism, witnessing and tithing.
© Tithing puts God first. Matt. 6:33.
(d) Tithing brings blessings to others and the tither.
(e) Tithing brings joy to the tither's life.
(f) Tithing helps bring souls to Christ.
From a website on Treasure in Heaven: www.trbc.org
OUR STEWARDSHIP MONTH THEME
"GIVING: AT A HIGHER LEVEL"
TODAY'S MESSAGE
"LAYING UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN"
Jim Elliot said "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
TEXT: Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
What is "treasure in Heaven"?
According to Randy Alcorn in his book "The Treasure Principle", treasure in Heaven is:
(1) Power, Luke 19:15-17, "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."
(2) Possessions, Matthew 19:21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
(3) Pleasures, Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
Heaven's Wall Street Pays 10,000%
Matthew 19:29, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
Our Attitude Towards Money Reveals The Genuineness Of Our Relationship To Christ
Luke 19:8-9, "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."
YOU WILL NEVER SEE A HEARSE PULLING A U-HAUL
When John D. Rockefeller died, someone asked John D.'s accountant, "How much did Mr. Rockefeller leave?" "He left it all" was the answer.
Psalm 49:16-17, "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."
BOTTOM LINE
"You cannot take it with you, but, thank God, you can send it on ahead."
Matthew 6:20, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
JESUS - THE WORLD'S BEST ADVISOR
As a Christian we have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by Christ's second coming. This is the ultimate insider trading tip. Earth's currency will become worthless when Christ returns; or when God calls you home in death, whichever comes first. Unlike Martha Stewart or Hillary Clinton, I can give you this inside tip and neither of us will go to jail as most inside traders today should. .
The imminent war with Iraq has the stock market very jittery. If the NASDAQ investors had known in advance that the dot.com bust was coming, many of them could have made millions, or even billions.
THE SECOND COMING IS CERTAIN
Jesus is coming. This is for sure!!! Remember, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Remember, "You cannot take it with you, but, thank God, you can send it on ahead." Remember, Matthew 6:20, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
"THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE"
Randy Alcorn, in his new book, "The Treasure Principle", lists six keys to understanding "The Treasure Principle":
Key #1: "God owns everything. I am his money manager."
We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted - not given - to us.
Key #2: "My heart always goes where I put my money".
Watch what happens when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.
Key #3: "Heaven, not earth, is my home."
We are citizens of "a better country--- a heavenly one".
Hebrews 11:16.
Key #4: "I should live not for the dot but for the line".
From the dot our present life on earth extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.
Key #5: "Giving is the only antidote to materialism".
Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.
Key #6: "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving".
God gives us more money than we need so we can give generously.
HOW DO I BEGIN GIVING TO GOD?
First, you only have five things to give to God:
Time, talent, treasure, temple and testimony.
What is your present level of giving?
There are three kinds of givers to God - tithers, tippers and tightwads.
Among tithers, all give at least 10% of their total income to Christ. This is the basic requirement of a tither. Many tithers give far beyond the 10% beginning level.
Jesus said more about money than almost any other topic. He warned us of the dangers of materialism. In Matthew 6:24, He reminded us that no one can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and mammon,
Only tithers are guaranteed God's provision.
Deuteronomy 8:18, "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
LEARNING THE PROPER USE OF MONEY.
Money is a gift from God and the ability to make money is part of God's plan for the human race. God told Adam and Eve to till the ground and subdue the earth. This "cultural mandate" is part of God's purpose for our lives. We are to develop the earth's resources to the glory of God. We are not to misuse those resources, nor are we to neglect them.
WHY EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD TITHE.
(1) Revival cannot be experienced in the New Testament Church unless good stewardship is practiced.
(2) Tithing is Biblical.
Tithing was commanded and practiced:
(a) Before the Law of Moses: Genesis 14:20 "And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."
(b) Under the Law of Moses: Leviticus 27:30 "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD."
Malachi 3:8-10 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
© During the life and ministry of Christ: Matthew 23:23
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
(d) During the Church Age: Hebrews 7:5-8 " And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
(3) Tithing is Christian.
Because:
(a) It is based on obedience. John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep commandments..."
(b) Tithing is on the Basic Checklist for Victorious Christian Living-- Bible study, prayer, church attendance, water baptism, witnessing and tithing.
© Tithing puts God first. Matt. 6:33.
(d) Tithing brings blessings to others and the tither.
(e) Tithing brings joy to the tither's life.
(f) Tithing helps bring souls to Christ.
posted by Ross at 10:20 pm
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