IMPACT Recap

Does My Purse Have Holes In It?

August 7, 2023 · 1:04:23

TithingObediencePurpose

Recap

Pastor Travis Hearn preached a direct and urgent message from Haggai chapter 1, challenging the congregation to examine their spiritual priorities. He began by highlighting God's rebuke to the Israelites for living in their own 'paneled houses' while God's temple lay in ruins, drawing a parallel to modern believers who prioritize building their own lives and kingdoms over God's work. The central metaphor of the sermon was the question, 'Does your purse have holes in it?'—taken from Haggai 1:6, which describes a life of labor that yields no lasting satisfaction because resources are not invested in God's purposes. Pastor Travis emphasized that many in the church are 'not yet' people, delaying their full commitment to serving, giving, and building God's kingdom. He passionately called for a shift from apathy to urgency, inviting everyone to use their time, talents, and treasures for the local church, specifically through serving on the 'Dream Team' and through faithful financial giving. The message concluded with a contrast between the generous spirit of Mary, who anointed Jesus with costly perfume, and the selfish, thieving spirit of Judas, urging listeners to make Jesus their unequivocal priority.

Main Points

  • Believers must examine their ways and stop being 'not yet' people who delay investing in God's kingdom.
  • Serving God by sacrificially giving our time, talents, and treasures is the antidote to a life that feels unfulfilled and leaky.
  • Our financial giving, starting with the tithe, is a test of priority that reveals where our heart truly is and unlocks God's blessing.

Verses Mentioned

  • Haggai 1:2 - "This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”" (NIV)
  • Haggai 1:3-4 - "Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”" (NIV)
  • Haggai 1:5-6 - "Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but 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.”" (NIV)
  • Haggai 1:7 - "This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”" (NIV)
  • Haggai 1:9 - "“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.”" (NIV)
  • 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." (NIV)
  • Deuteronomy 14:23 - "Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always." (NIV)
  • Malachi 3:8-10 - "“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”" (NIV)
  • John 12:3-5 - "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”" (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: Haggai 1:5-6 (NIV) - "Give careful thought to your ways... You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

Focus Point: Honest Self-Assessment

Action Plan: Review your bank statement or calendar from last week. Prayerfully ask God to show you one area where your resources (time or money) are being spent on your own kingdom instead of His.

Deep Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to see my life honestly. Show me where I am living for myself and help me to reorient my priorities toward You today.

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others..."

Focus Point: Identifying Your Gift

Action Plan: Identify one spiritual gift or practical skill you have (e.g., encouragement, administration, hospitality). Write down one way you could use it to serve someone in your church or community this week.

Deep Prayer: God, thank You for gifting me uniquely. Show me clearly how I can use what You've given me to build up Your church and serve others today.

Wednesday

Scripture Reflection: Malachi 3:10 (NIV) - "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty."

Focus Point: The Test of Trust

Action Plan: If you are not currently tithing, calculate what 10% of your income would be. Make a decision, as an act of worship, to begin giving that amount to your local church. If you already tithe, prayerfully consider an offering above your tithe.

Deep Prayer: Father, I choose to put You first in my finances. I trust Your promise and bring my tithe as an act of worship, believing You are my true provider.

Thursday

Scripture Reflection: Haggai 1:9 (NIV) - "'Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.'"

Focus Point: From 'Not Yet' to 'Now'

Action Plan: Identify one 'not yet' in your spiritual life (e.g., joining a ministry, starting a Bible study, having a hard conversation). Take one concrete step today to move it from 'not yet' to 'now.'

Deep Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for my delays. Replace my apathy with Your urgency. I surrender my 'not yet' to You and choose to act in obedience right now.

Friday

Scripture Reflection: John 12:3 (NIV) - "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet..."

Focus Point: A Generous Spirit

Action Plan: Perform an act of 'wasteful' generosity today. Give or do something for someone (or for your church) that is sacrificially costly in terms of time, money, or comfort, simply as an offering to Jesus.

Deep Prayer: Lord, cultivate in me the heart of Mary. Help me to see that no sacrifice for You is too great, because You are worthy of everything I have.

Saturday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 6:21 (NIV) - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Focus Point: Heart Check

Action Plan: Prepare for tomorrow's worship. Look back on your week's actions from this plan. Write a brief reflection on what your use of time, talent, and treasure this week revealed about what you truly love.

Deep Prayer: God, as I prepare to worship, search my heart. Align my loves with Yours. Let my life prove that You are my greatest treasure and my highest priority.

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