“Habit”- an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary

It takes an average of 21 days to develop a HABIT, and an average of 3 days to break one.

The Christian life is not just about that one decision in an altar, but the daily decision to live the life that Christ intended for you.

HABITS anging out with God ccountability ible memorization nvolvement in the Church ithing tudying the Bible

Tithing and giving Matt. 6:19-34

Consistent tithers  Consistent tithers are a small group- about 3% of American adults last year, according to a recent study  According to George Barna’s survey, people older than 55 are far more likely to tithe than younger people. Tithing has more typically been a significant tenet of Protestant than of Catholic traditions.  “We are losing many of the people who have a habit of tithing”, he says. “while the proportion of homes headed by younger adults who have never tithed and don’t plan to is growing.”

Regarding Money Biblical

Biblical Importance of Money 500 PRAYER  There is approximately 500 verses on PRAYER in the Bible 500 FAITH  There is fewer than 500 verses on FAITH in the Bible 600 SINGING  There is almost 600 verses on SINGING in the Bible

Biblical Importance of Money  There is more than 2350verses on money in the Bible

I. Money is the Indicator of our hearts Matt: 6:21

(Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

A.Money competes for lordship in our life …where your treasure is, there will your heart be…

(Mat 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

A.Money competes for lordship in our life B.Money can become a deceptive diversion from the real purpose and meaning of life …where your treasure is, there will your heart be…

(Luk 12:15) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

A.Money competes for lordship in our life B.Money can become a deceptive diversion from the real purpose and meaning of life C.Money and the things we buy with it can become the object affection and move us to spiritual error …where your treasure is, there will your heart be…

(Col 3:1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Col 3:2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare For the love of money is the root of all evil they have erred from the faith (1Ti 6:8-10) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

A.Money competes for lordship in our life B.Money can become a deceptive diversion from the real purpose and meaning of life C.Money and the things we buy with it can become the object affection and move us to spiritual error D.Money is the gauge that reveals whether we can be trusted with true riches …where your treasure is, there will your heart be…

(Luk 16:10-11) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?.

I.Money is the Indicator of our hearts II.Money determines our perspective

1. Ownership vs. Stewardship

for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine (1Ch 29:11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee (1Ch 29:12) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

(Joh 3:27) …A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (Jas 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights… (Deu 8:18) But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…

2. Covetousness vs. Contentment

(Col 3:5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Php 4:11-12) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

3. Materialism vs. Mission

(Ecc 5:10) He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. (Luk 12:15) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Materialism vs. Mission  Marriage  Children  Job  Possessions  Gifts and talent  Money