Consider The Source

Entrusted or Entitled?

Our family, our talents, our influence, our finances, our time, our body, our resources. Do we take them for granted or do we steward them remembering that God entrusted these to us?

A: "10% that's just so much"
B: "Is it? Cuz I kinda thought the 90 he let me keep is just so much! You want to flip it? You keep 10 God keep 90?"

Our tithe, do we give to God? Or do we simply BRING back 10% of what he gave.

Relationship or Reluctance?

For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his one and only son. Do we give/serve to God out of love, or out of reluctance and obligation?

Out of the overflow of the heart, you give.

Hebrews 12:2 (fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God)

Obedience or Optional?

Should I murder my friend before I go to Church? No, it's just wrong to murder my friend before I go to Church, and other times as well. It's not even to be considered.

"I'll pray about it." You don't pray about what God just told you to do.

"Oh look, I'm paying 20% for transport, 50% for food, 20% for recreation, 10% for gifts. Oh no, God there's none left over for you." Do we bring the first fruits of what God gave us? Or do we squander it away?

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life which is truly life.)

Multiply or Maintain?

Malachi 3:10 (Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.)

In John 6, Jesus fed the 5000. He asked his disciples what to do(to test them), they focused on the lack of resources. But when the child offered the 5 loaves and 2 fishes "Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish."

Later in the chapter,
Jesus said "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Disciples "Sir, from now on give us the bread."
Jesus declared "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." 



Multiply, Obedience, Relationship, Entrusted. There is MORE. He is the SOURCE :)



Really blessed to have checked out "Consider The Source" Series by Elevation Church over this weekend.

As I've been recuperating at home. I felt kinda empty(how can this be?). I felt more prone to sins, especially in procrastinating and indulging. I felt limited, by my physical condition, and my MC??

But that is, I have not been looking enough to the source. I do not want to keep looking to the resources, and give myself excuses.

The temptation to laze back is strong. I feel "entitled" to do so. But truth be told, even if I cannot go for Service, even though I cannot go for work, even though I cannot go for meet ups, shepherding and outings. All that I have, I still can steward for God. The work my mum entrusted me for her business, interceding for others, preparing for shepherding, playing the piano, delighting in God's word and more.

I've had enough of my lack of discipline for the past few days.

My God's not dead,
He's surely alive.
He's living on the inside,
Roaring like a Lion.

All these are easy to say, I didn't even spend the earlier half of my day well. But I want to always Consider The Source.

If you want to check this great sermon series out, go to: http://elevationchurch.org/sermons/consider-the-source 

Edit:

Just to add in a quote from the book Desiring God which resonates with this post.

"Saving faith is the confidence that if you sell all you have and forsake all sinful pleasures, the hidden treasure of holy joy will satisfy your deepest desires. Saving faith is the heartfelt conviction not only that Christ is reliable, but also that He is desirable. It is the confidence that He will come through with His promises and that what He promises is more to be desired than all the world."