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"Xtreme Makeover: Let the Bible Shape Your Views About Money" 
This week: "Daily Disciplines"
Pastor Rob Carlson • Sunday, February 6, 2005

Five Foundations to Financial Freedom
RULE #1: KEEP GOOD RECORDS
This is the principle of accounting.

RULE #2: PLAN YOUR SPENDING
This is the principle of budgeting.

RULE #3: SAVE FOR THE FUTURE
This is the principle of saving.

RULE #4: ENJOY WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
Principle of contentment.

RULE #5: GIVE BACK TO GOD
Principle of giving, generosity, and obedience.

HIGH FIVE! 5 Big Giving Ideas to Stir Your Faith and Increase Your Impact.

1. Tithing is an act of obedience and is taught throughout the Bible. 

Proverbs 3:9,10 (LB)—Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all of your income, and He will fill your barns…to OVERFLOW!! !! 

(see also Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; Matthew 5:17)

· The first 10% of what I earn goes to God through my church.

2. Tithing is for your benefit not God’s.

Deut 14:23 (TLB)—The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.
Matt. 6:33…Seek first the kingdom of God…

3. Tithing forces you to develop sound financial practices.

I Cor. 16:2—On the first day of every week, each one of you should put aside money as you have been blessed…

Tithing forces you to ask: What are my financial priorities? 

4. Tithing ties us to our purpose.

I Tim. 6:17-19—Command those who are rich with things of this world not to  be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not in their uncertain riches. God richly gives us everything to enjoy. Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future. Then they will be able to have the life that is true life.

God is happy for us to enjoy things, but His priority and our purpose is that we are generous, that we share, and that we invest in others.

5. Tithing gets us started and moving in the right direction.

Proverbs 22:9 (Mof)--A generous man will have God’s blessing.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9--...But just as you excel in everything...see that you also excel in this grace of giving...

Luke 16:11--So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Describe a time when someone gave you the very best they had to offer. 
Why does God desire the first and best of people’s resources?

2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 

3. What is the connection between tithing and worship? 
In what ways can money enslave people?

4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group.

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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