SERMON NOTES

Genesis 4:2-5 (NLT)
"Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering-fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast."

1. God must be first

Exodus 20:1-3 (NLT)
"Then God gave the people all these instructions: 'I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.'"

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (NLT)
"'You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, for the LORD your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.'"

2. We put God first by giving Him the first of everything

Leviticus 27:30 (NLT)
"One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy."

Deuteronomy 14:23 (NLT)
"Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship-the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored-and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the LORD your God."

The purpose of tithing is to teach us to put God first in every area of our lives.

Proverbs 3:6-10 (NLT)
"Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with rain, and your vats will overflow with good wine."

5 things you can do with money:

1. Spend it
2. Use it to repay debts
3. Pay taxes
4. Save/invest it
5. Give it

Communicate to God, "I trust you"

3 steps to financial freedom:

1. Give to God off the top no matter what

1 Chronicles 29:14 (NLT)
"But who am i, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!"

2. Decide to live within your means no matter what

Proverbs 12:9 (NLT)
"Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food."

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NLT)
"Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!"

3. Decide to live a step below your means

Proverbs 21:20 (NLT)
"The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get."

Closing Prayer
May you realize today that the order of your life is important and may you choose to put God first in every area of your life, including your finances.