The Quest for the New (Part 5)

Sermon Series: The Quest for the New
Part: 5
Primary Topic: The Church
Scripture:

• Proverbs 3:9–10

• Malachi 3:10.

• Deuteronomy 6:10–12; 8:10–18

We spend our money on the people and things we really care about.

In Part 5 of “The Quest for the New,” Pastor John Walls turns his attention to the vow of giving within the church — the commitment to support the body of Christ with our gifts, specifically our financial resources. Building upon the previous messages which covered prayer and presence, this sermon explores the biblical principle of tithing and stewardship, emphasizing that giving is both a spiritual discipline and a heart issue.

Pastor John begins by citing Proverbs 3:9–10 and Malachi 3:10, where God invites His people to test Him — promising overflowing blessings in response to faith-filled giving. Pastor John passionately insists this isn’t about increasing the church budget or padding the pastor’s income — it’s about unlocking God’s blessings in the lives of believers through faithful obedience.

He then shares a personal vision: his desire for the congregation to one day afford a full-time pastor. He reflects on his own early ministry days working bivocationally (as a tentmaker pastor), the sacrifices he made, and how that shaped his understanding of faithful leadership and congregational responsibility.

John also dives into reasons many pastors avoid teaching about money: fear of offending members, being labeled greedy, or scaring away newcomers. Despite these concerns, Jesus spoke about money more than any other topic in His parables—underscoring its critical role in spiritual formation.

From Deuteronomy, Pastor John draws out two major perils of prosperity:

1. Self-Satisfaction – the temptation to forget God’s role when life is full and comfortable.

2. Self-Sufficiency – the illusion that we’ve created our wealth on our own, apart from God’s provision.

He contrasts Satan’s attitude of “I will” with Christ’s prayer of submission, “Not my will, but Thine be done,” emphasizing that the Christian life must be marked by surrender and gratitude—not selfish accumulation.

The message ends with a sobering story about a wealthy man whose wife, through tears, expressed that she longed more for him than for the things his money could buy. Pastor Walls uses this to remind us: giving is not just about money—it’s about relationships, priorities, and purpose.

Examine Your Priorities – Does your giving reflect what you truly value? What adjustments might be needed?

Test God’s Promise – Have you ever taken God at His word in Malachi 3:10? What was the outcome?

Check for Self-Satisfaction – Are there areas of your life where comfort has dulled your dependence on God?

Guard Against Self-Sufficiency – How can you regularly remind yourself that all you have comes from God?

Consider the Vision – What would it take for your church community to support a full-time pastor? What role can you play?

Family Impact – If someone asked your family what they value more — your presence or your provision — how would they answer?