God Doesn't Need Your Money

Intimacy in any relationship doesn't just happen. It requires regular relational deposits. Imagine the state of a marriage where the husband and wife did not put any time or attention into their relationship. It might be characterized by a lot of things, but intimacy would not be one of them. Our relationship with God is no different. An intimate relationship with Him is not something we arrive at; it is something we continually pursue. And as we do, we enjoy the benefits and demonstrate the marks of a maturing follower.

Matt 6:1 1"Be careful he’s setting up the discussion not to do your 'acts of righteousness' private disciplines before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no say this out loud with me reward from your Father in heaven.2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Money does more to compete with our faith then anything else. We worry about money more then anything else. That is a human reality. We all struggle with that whether you are a Christian or not. Jesus comes along and says, I know you’re trusting me for eternal life but I want to teach you to trust me now and now is this thing of money.

So Jesus asks I want you to trust me and give…we start saying things like, well, the church doesn’t need my money. The only way to teach you to trust him is to mess with the thing that is getting in the way, your wealth. God is eventually going to be calling for your checkbook, not because he needs it but because he wants your heart. He says, no, its not about needs it about your heart. He wants to teach you to trust him. You have a choice in the matter. Give first, save, and live on the rest.

By doing that I’m trusting you more then I trusting in money. Money is an emotional thing isn’t it? Why is it emotional? Because you trust in it. Money represents your security. Why should it be so emotional? It’s just a piece of paper with some guys picture on it. God knows you. Jesus knows this so he messes with it not to just mess with you but because he wants to play that role for you. He wants you to put your security in Him not this money.