The Importance of Sowing and Reaping in our Financial Lives

by John Roberts on February 11, 2024

The Importance of Sowing and Reaping in our Financial Life.

Speaker: John Roberts

Series: Sowing and Reaping in 2024

Text: Matthew 6:19 – 24, Matthew 25:14 – 30, Malachi 3:6-10

Introduction

Jesus teaches us that your heart IS where your treasure is.

Matthew 6:19-24… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… You cannot serve God and money.

Aspirational values vs. Actual Values

“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.”

-P. T. Barnum

Jesus reminds us that we are stewards and not owners.

Matthew 25:14–30

5 uses of money…

Generosity and giving are tools for shaping our souls.

Giving is in our DNA… Genesis 1:26-27… Matthew 7:7-11

Giving follows the law of sowing and reaping! 2 Corinthians 9:1-11

There is importance in the order of what we give... Firstfruits in both OT and NT.

God asks for a tithe… a tenth… not just any tenth, he wants the first 10^th.

Tithing was in the heart of God before the Law: Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:1-10

Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, I Kings 17:8-16

This is one of the few issues in which we are challenged, by God, to test God! Malachi 3:6-10

Questions for reflection:

If you gave a list of all of your spending decisions to your accountant, what would they conclude? Are your priorities? If you stop to carefully track, you’re spending decisions, what would you learn about yourself?
How intentional are you with managing the resources that God has given to you?
Would you say that you are managing, or stewarding, what God has given you wisely at this point in your life? If not, what is one change that you could make as you continue on into 2024.
How are you doing with giving? If giving is a struggle, where can you start?

About the Author

John Roberts

John and his wife, Sharlyn, moved to Moses Lake from the Seattle area in October of 1989 to begin work with Moses Lake Christian Church and they have continued with the church until the present.

John earned his BA from Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds WA, graduating in June of 1988 with a Major in Theology and a Minor in Preaching. John continued his education attending the Northwest Graduate School of Ministry, Biola University, and Regent College. He earned an MA in Apologetics from Biola University in 2006. Additionally, John completed the Renovare Institute of Spiritual Formation in July 2013, and earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Soul Formation in 2020.

John and Sharlyn were married in June 1988 (the same day John graduated from college… because… he uses his time wisely). John and Sharlyn raised three boys in Moses Lake who are now grown, moved away and are starting families of their own. Jonathan (Jonny) and his wife Madelyn; Josh and his wife Kara and their three children, Vida, Arlo and Edan; and Noah their youngest son.

John and Sharlyn love being with their kids and grandkids in their free time. Additionally, they enjoy travel adventures. In the summer of 2023 John and Sharlyn took a 200-mile pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago (the Camino Way).