SERIES INTRODUCTION
• This series is about the challenge and challenges of being generous. God describes His people as those who are generous on all occasions with all that we are and all that we have.
• In this series, we will discuss the challenges of obedience, contentedness, and holistic generosity.

THIS WEEK: OBEDIENCE
• obedience (n): compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.1

1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

John 14:15 (NLT) If you love me, obey my commandments.

THE 3 T’S: TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE
God describes His people as those who are generous on all occasions with all that we are and all that we have.

WHOSE IS IT AGAIN? HIS, MINE, OR OURS?
What do I believe about my time, talent, and treasure?
• steward – (v): To manage or look after another’s property.1

OBEDIENCE WITH TREASURE
When we focus on God first, and trust Him with our obedience through tithing, He shows Himself in many ways. The question is, “Do I trust God with my obedience, and have the faith to trust His word and what He says is best for me?”

Matthew 6:24 (NLT) No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

WHAT IS A TITHE?
• Tithe literally means “tenth”
• The tithe was instituted by God throughout the Old Testament and reaffirmed by Jesus in the New Testament.

RLM Doctrinal Statement: STEWARDSHIP & GENEROSITY
We believe our whole lives; our time, talents and treasures are to be given obediently and generously in response to God’s grace, mercy and love for us. We believe that giving 10% of our income is defined as a “tithe”, the Biblical starting point of giving to the local church (the storehouse). We believe that any giving over 10% is an “offering” of gratitude for the great things God does for us daily and can be directed at the givers discretion to any worthwhile ministry, church or organization. We believe that generosity and stewardship are essential to maturity and the accomplishment of Christ’s mission.

Supportive Scripture: Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:7-12; Acts 4:32-5:11; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Mark 12:43; 2 Samuel 24:24; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42.

WHAT’S TRUE?
• God wants our hearts more than our money. (Matthew 6:24)
• There’s never a good time to start walking in obedience in this way.
• There’s never a bad time to start walking in obedience in this way.
• Obedience is a choice. Difficult choices require faith and accountability.
• Tithing is the training wheels for generosity.

WHAT TO DO?

CHALLENGE: OBEDIENCE. ACCEPT?

Matthew 23:23-26 (NIV) 23“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Accept? Decide to become obedient and live it out:
• Repent of any self-ruled or fear-ruled lifestyles in the areas of time, talent, and treasure.
• Confess before the Lord and with others for accountability.
• Make tangible changes with accountability:
o Choose to have faith and trust in what God says is good and true.
o Choose to acknowledge that all you are and have is from God, not yourself.
o Create a calendar of your time.
o Create a budget of your finances.
o Start to tithe (10%) of your income.
o Start to give, even if it isn’t 10%.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Joshua 24:14-15, Proverbs 3:5-9, Malachi 3:8-10, Mathew 6:19-24.
Icebreaker: When was a time you had to do something that felt risky? How did it feel? What happened?
• What stood out to you from the sermon?
1. Read Joshua 24:14-15 and Proverbs 3:5-9. What do these passages tell you about God, trust, and obedience?
2. What has moved you to trust and serve God? A) How do you grow in trusting Him over your own understanding?
3. How has obedience been a part of your journey in trusting? A) What can be challenges to trusting and obeying?
4. Read Malachi 3:8-10 and Mathew 6:19-24. What do these passages tell us about God, us as people, and what shapes our hearts and loves?
5. How does trusting and obeying God impact your view on money and possessions? A) What, do you think, makes our hearts compete for allegiance between God and money?
6. What has been your experience with tithing and giving? A) What would be a growth step for you in this area?
7. How does serving God through trusting, obeying, and tithing impact you, your family, and your work/business? A) What conversations do you need to have as you explore what God is saying to you on this topic?

Passages to prepare for next week, Challenge Accepted (Week 2) Contentment:
Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:4-13, 1 Timothy 6:6-11, Luke 12:15