Sacred Rhythms - Cultivating a Heart of Dependency, Part 2

What if everything you've ever heard about God and money was wrong.

You're tired of feeling guilty about your finances. I want to know what God really says stay with us today. Thanks for joining us for this Monday. Addition of living on the Jew with Chip Ingram Living on the Edges in international discipleship ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Chip Ingram, Troy, and today we continue our series. Sacred rhythms cultivating a lifestyle that makes room for God.

Did you know that how we handle money to sacred.

It's a big deal to us and to God because he because it reveals the boundaries we put on our connection to it's an indicator that points to where our trust lies in him or in ourselves chips team teaching with his son Ryan is a pastor in the Bay Area now with part two of his message cultivating a hard dependency as our guest teacher Ryan Ingram want to spend the rest of our time getting really practical about this rhythm of generosity and how we actually put it in because the reality is, is most of us embrace the sporadic generosity and the funny part about it is we feel generous most Americans would call themselves generous, but statistically 44.8% yes that's very precise of Americans do not give any of their money away. Most of us think were generous because we can remember a time when we did you know give someone $10 and she is saying this is a sacred rhythm. This is something to put into practice and he says when you give to the needy in the Jewish world and under their context, giving these offerings happened after's a systematic set allotted amount was given before that is called the time and you've probably heard about it on Sundays but I've never taught about it. I thought a lot about generosity, but I want to talk a little bit for us and get practical on how do we live this out in a way that forms Christ in us in understanding like what is the tithe and understanding what the purpose is behind all of this because this is the process for us to become eight not only just a generous person but get our lies in rhythm with God a few weeks ago I was trying to have this conversation with my daughter not because we're talking about it my daughters like an entrepreneur man.

She's amazing. This girl she's got a babysitting gig dislike: it's I mean she's got a ton of money in the bank is asking her like what are you planning to do.

I love her answer. No she's saving for college 14 years old. She so focused on all that and saw Mike working with her, like on a case you know when I was a kid my my parents had this process to train and teach us and had three jars and is like give, save, spend, and you give 10% to God, 10% to you know savings and then 80% you get a live off and had all the sort of stuff, and Mike L you're at the stage where you need to learn to really trust God with your money and were talking about tithing and most of you know like tithing has something to do like with giving your money away and will talk little bit more specifically and she's like no it's just like I were supposed to give our money to God right and here's what I realized right in that moment, and especially with my kids and this is what I'm working really hard on right now. I spent a lot of time in the early years helping them know what God has to say and were in his season to teach them why God said because we need to avoid or disconnect the wife in the what it becomes like just a wrote action with no deep meaning or significance. So let me tell you why God says man embrace this rhythm of generosity and specifically the rhythm of tithing had the big why is that tithing actually explains this habit our hearts to trust God, you are not naturally born generous, you are not naturally born give been one of your first words as a kid universally in America, so I don't know how it is in other countries is the word my pain you have to teach generosity. It doesn't come simply naturally and so tithing is this training mechanism that God has for us to trust him that we know that we can trust him with all of our lives. If you can't trust them with your money.

How could you trust him with your life and so he says this a little bit later on the sermon about do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth were Martin Berman destroyed worth these break-ins still the store up for yourself treasure in heaven where Martin Vernon do not destroy and where thieves do not break, and why why why why for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also wear whatever you value and ensure treasure in this life. Has your heart. Another way to say wherever your money goes, there your heart follows like your bank account is one of the most spiritual documents in your life.

It shows what you value and dream of and long for and there's this invisible string connected to your finances into your heart and if you want a hard change in a specific area like if you wanted to have a heart for the needy. Just begin to give to a homeless shelter both your time and your money. You're like I don't even care about that but the minute you begin to give to your heart will shift for you said in different way would 16th and whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trust and left much and whoever is just honest with little will also be dishonest with much so if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches. Did you notice that money is the little thing God is like just the little testing area. We do this with our kids like we want to give you greater responsibility as there is little we want to give you greater freedom and sorbent to trust you here and as you prove yourself trustworthy. We get to give you more because we know you're going to be able to be faithful with that goes on. No one can serve two masters. Either you hate the one and love the other, you be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money because the God of the universe. He doesn't need or want your money got says I want your heart, and the chief competitor of your heart isn't the devil it's your stuff got got down on you. If you have stuff. By the way, some you've got to live with that man.

I got some really nice stuff and I always have to like the for her you know gone on a really nice vacation while we pay points within this really nice card got a deal. You know that's like the church way we don't is so weird. God is not down on you if you got nice stuff. He just doesn't want your nice stuff to have you in this process of habitually systematically entrusting our finances to him is what gives, and aligns our heart with him so I says tithing. Trains are hard to trust him will what is the tithe by the tithe literally means 1/10 in Leviticus 27, 30 it says a tithe or 1/10 of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord is holy to the Lord saying that a tent that usually sank 1/10 of all that you have is God's.

And so is not actually generous when you try this just simply returning as like it's already his, and so you're giving back to God.

10% of what you make. That's what a tithe is it's returning to him for some your likable even that's old Testaments were in the New Testament on so glad you brought that up.

You know Jesus in Matthew 2323 actually reinforces the tithe there and brings that up and you can read a bunch of different passages. RNA is one of our church fathers from 130 A.D. to 202 writes this, the Jews were constrained to a regular payment of ties giving this 10% Christians who have liberty assign all their possessions to the Lord, bestowing freely, not the lesser portions of the property since they have the hope of greater things. See the Christian perspective is one of steward and not entitled by God. All that I have has been entrusted by you and so everything here. I don't own. I'm simply a steward and so I'm going to ask you, how would you like me to spend my money and in fact my life.

How would you like me to spend my time and my energy.

I am a steward and all that I have is yours and was going to remind me. Is this regularly giving back to you, that trains my heart that yes that's right you are so trustworthy. Your word is true I can I can take those next steps with did you know that only 2.7% of Americans give 10% of their income or more.

97% of Americans give less than 10% actually far less than that. Did you know that 13.9% give less than 2% away. As mentioned earlier, 44.8% give nothing away and yet somehow we think were generous that there's an incredible book called the paradox of generosity is written by sociologist from Notre Dame of actually end with a quote from it, but but is fascinating. This 10% mark. Because this is hard for us and he not in his book, he notes that Americans who give away money and more specifically those who give away at least 10% of their income are happier than those who do not.

Could it be that your trade-off isn't a good trade-off reality.

This rhythm of tithing and generosity tithing trains are hard to trust them tithe literally means attempted so there is this idea of percentage giving.

I'm going to choose a percent for some you're so underwater you like tempers and I can't do. Start with the percent any percent for some you need to start with 10% and then you'd begin to give proportionally what upon that and NNN.

If your new or if your hand is in years gone Ingram. I don't trust you. That's okay. Give some where else give to like no compassion international world vision Charity water also speak in a second why believe we should give to the church but I don't want to miss this is too important for your heart and relationship with Jesus to not do this because you think I have something a part of it that's always the challenge of talking about this tithe. Take 1/10. Now how do we do this we give to God first first. Proverbs 393 10 honor the Lord with your wealth, with the what to say. Firstfruits not second fruits that third fruits firstfruits of all your crops, then your bonds will be filled to overflowing, and your vats. All of us got vats will brim over with new wine. God's antidote for entitlement and greed and pathway to experiencing financial peace which is different than financial freedom and better is found in the principal firstfruits when we give to God first, not last.

It does not take faith to give to God last or out of what's left over where you go out you know what, here's the normative way that we do by giving Norway is consume automatic same. If I can give if there's any left over. In fact, the average American lives on 110% of their income. Tough to give their 90% of Americans buy things they can afford 60% of Americans don't pay off their credit card each month. Wow, that's exorbitant percentage that they're paying 80% of college students graduate college with credit card debt and Jesus is saying reverse it and flip it. It will change your life. Give to God first sale camp and choose this percentage, 10%, it's yours already.

I'm just returning measure not being generous at this moment I'm just returning back to you. This is a act of faith and obedience, trusting that you will provide. Then I'm going to say and then live on the rest for some your talk me I can't do that.

I gotta tell you I'm doing it on a pastor's salary. I think you can to as well.

But let me say this, you can afford not he can't. The life of Christ being formed in you actually has so much to do with what you value and prioritize and your finances and how you spend your money reveal what you prioritize what you value in your affections. This is so important that God actually invites us to test snow is the only place install a scriptural recess test me on this. Try me like I mean, this is like God, God of the universe like I double dog dare you a heavenly father who knows what's best and sees that his kids like it's really hard in the this is like something that were holding like this and we got a tight grip on if we have a tight grip on it than it has a tight grip on us saying I want to help you learn to trust me.

So test me. Malachi 310 says bring the whole tithe not part of it into the storehouse that your there may be food in my house to trust me in this way, says the Lord, and see if I'll not throw up the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there not be room enough to store, let me define blessing real quick. Robert Moore says this blessing is having supernatural power working for you a blessed person may or may not be wealthy by the world standards, but they enjoy a quality of life. Most billionaires within the sea. When we write the word blessed. We immediately go God's going. You know I'm gonna give $10 will give me a thousand. That's not how it works is turning God from a heavenly father to a genie Jesus would say it this way. Given a be given you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over a be poured into your life with the measure you use, it will be measured to the apostle Paul would say it this way.

Remember this whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, whoever sows generously will also reap generously each of you should give what is decided in his heart to give notice there is a pre-decision in your heart. I have decided this it is shouldn't be this like man I feel opted in guilt and manipulated notice. We are took off and were not taken a second special offering, not reluctantly or under compulsion, there should be no sense of manipulation. This is a private decision between you and God goes on for God loves a cheerful giver, generous people there amazing to be around our day. And what I've been around incredibly generous people, you know what I hear from them. I can't believe I get to be a part of this like I can't believe this is so much fun to be able to support and give hearing to help them like while I get a be a part of that they could experience the blessing, and God is able to bless you abundantly.

There is our word again, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need not all that you want all that you need you abound in every good work. Notice that the blessing of God is so that you can abound in good work paradox of generosity. Christian Smith and hero Hilary Davidson say this, the conclusion to their study as if Americans want to become happier, healthier people who live with greater purpose suffer less depression, enjoy more personal growth.

One way they might better accomplish that is to learn to be more generous. The scientific evidence shows clearly that more generous people are doing significantly better in their lives in many important ways.

The rhythm of generosity begins with this practice and you begin to practices.

You can see, gotta work your listening in on the chipping. If you're just joining us, Chip and his son Ryan be back in a minute to talk more about the sacred rhythm of tithing. Ryan's message cultivating a heart of dependency is from our series.

Sacred rhythms if the pressures of life or taking their toll. What you learned in sacred rhythms provides the wise counsel you may be missing in sacred rhythms.

You'll discover how to develop a few of the key spiritual practices that can release the floodgates of relationship with God to order your copy of sacred rhythms or to send us out to a friend. Just visit us online at http://livingontheedge.org you'll find that the CDs are discounted and the MP3s are absolutely free. Or if you prefer to order over the phone.

Just give us a call at 1-888-333-6003. Now here's Chip with a quick thought will be right back in just a minute with my son to talk about today's message but you know he talked about the ties and I know people get a little bit nervous and working to give you some real insight. I hope in just a minute.

But you know the real issue behind the tide is trust, and if you don't know God, you can't trust him. And so what we've done is we've created an online video course to help you hear God's voice through Scripture. I mean this is a very practical way.

It's not very long, and it's easy to understand. To help you learn to trust the God who is saying to you.

I want you to trust me with your life and your money in your future. But it's hard to do that if you don't hear his voice. Well, this online video course how to hear God's voice and Scripture really is a great resource. No matter how long you've been reading the Bible. Chip shares will take your ability to discern God's voice and take your faith to a whole new level. You can do these five video sessions on your own time at your own pace is your relationship with God deepens your confidence will increase. You'll actually begin to look forward to spending time with them. Just go online to LivingontheEdge.org and take your next step toward hearing God speak to you through his word will now here are Chip and Ryan with the final application as we close today's program. Ryan I want to ask you something. You know, when you told your story about your daughter Ella really captivated my attention and I think that's an example of where so many of us find ourselves.

Yeah, I think what happens is in my life and in our lives as we get clear on the once, but disconnected from the heart of God and then wise and so then inverter operating out of duty and not out of this incredible life-giving relationship with him and I just brought a fresh awareness not only for my life.

But then for how I want to pass it on to my kids.

What did that. What did Ella say when you talk to her about hey it's it's not about just thoughts and shoulds and stuff like that.

Well, it wasn't this magical moment preaching is thank you dad everything is great now and I think that's part of what happens is when we tell stories of Ron and we listen to them. We think you know, praying around the dinner table. All the kids are.

You know love in it, or reading the Bible together, sing and worship songs together but but is that process and I literally just unpacked what we taught here to her and then were putting it into practice.

And it's only in putting it into practice that you can experience the truth of being generous while in what I would say being a little bit older for sure is I love what you said about around the table because there were times when you all were very, very young and yet I was trying to pass these things on a you roll your eyes or I could tell no one really was to be at the table but you know, line upon line, precept upon precept, as the Scripture says, little by little, your kids do catch a lot more, even when they act like they don't any final word for maybe a parent or grandparent out there saying hey I want my kids to understand that money isn't about you know Austin shoulds of giving to God, but it really is about cultivating a heart for God, yeah well I think one of the things that you teach a lot is more Scott than time and so is first practicing it personally. And then it's actually teaching it and I think that's one of the missing things that I've walked with this generation on as they were never taught how to steward God's money and so they're coming out of college with immense amount of credit card debt and not knowing you know even how to make a budget and so just taking the simple steps of. Here's the basic of finances. And here's why God says it's so important. Thanks Ryan and hey moms and dads, grandparents maybe want to get this message. You have them listen to it and doodle teaching like strip will the best way to forward this message would be with the Chip Ingram map. Just go to Google play for the App Store and download the free Chip Ingram map once you've got it, just tap the share icon on this message and you're good to go. Let them know you're thinking about them and then be sure to follow-up. Well I hope you be with us again tomorrow when we continue our series sacred rhythms.

Till then, this is Dave really saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge