The Trust Test

February 18, 2007
Dr. Roger Ferguson, Sr. Pastor

THEME: Trust is a relational word. We trust those who are faithful to do what they promise. God wants us to trust Him. His promises are true. What we do with the resources God blesses us with reveals what we really believe about Him.

I. Review of Value the Vision Progress:

1. 100% of FBCO be fully devoted to Christ.

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
Proverbs 21:5

2. Set aside $1,000 for emergencies and do the debt snowball to erase all consumer debt within two years.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Proverbs 22:6-7

3. Build a 3-6 month reserve fund and develop a spending plan to pay cash, not borrow.

4. Scriptural investment to build wealth to extend the kingdom, help others and enjoy.

5. Tithe first and give offering to Value the Vision, etc.

"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."
Leviticus 27:30

II. The cursed life: resenting wise management of resources.
(Malachi 3:8-9)

"You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Haggai 1:6

III. The blessed life: Putting God in first place.
(Malachi 3:11-12)

1. In Scripture "10" is the number of testing.

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10

2. We don't give to get, we give out of gratitude.

Trust Test: Tithe everything for six months and if God's blessing is absent, you get it all back.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. 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."
Matthew 23:23

3. Three types of giving in the New Testament::

Tithe (10%)

generosity (offering)

sacrifice (change of lifestyle)

Turn to Exodus 14:13-15

Act on what you've heard:
1. In America, all of us have been blessed by God. How are you blessing
others and extending the kingdom of God with what He's given you?
2. Have you trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord?
3. Pray for your part in Value the Vision.