This week’s message presses deeper into the heart of Kingdom finances by

confronting a subtle but dangerous mindset: treating giving as a

transaction instead of a relationship. When generosity is reduced to a

formula - “I give my 10%, so God must bless me” — it becomes legalistic,

lifeless, and self-focused. God is not interested in contracts; He is

after hearts. As a loving Father, He refuses to empower selfishness,

because He desires to uproot it, not reward it.

Many of us have sincerely declared Jesus as Lord. We sing, “You can have

it all” and “All to Jesus I surrender.” Yet finances often become the

exception. We may offer God a portion while quietly claiming ownership

of the rest. This creates a two-tiered faith...surrendered in word,

guarded in practice. But Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 are clear. He doesn’t

say "if" we give, pray, and fast - He says "when". These are expected

rhythms of discipleship, not optional extras.

When money is viewed as “ours,” it easily becomes an idol. Idolatry, at

its core, is giving something other than God our trust, dependence, and

devotion. Jesus draws a hard line: “You cannot serve both God and

money.” Loving money eventually turns our hearts away from God, while

loving God exposes money for what it is - temporary, distracting, and

incapable of providing true security.

This is where stewardship comes into focus. Owners ask, “How do I

protect what’s mine?” Stewards ask, “Lord, how do You want this used?”

Sons and daughters find their security in their Father, not their

finances. Scripture reminds us that we are not slaves striving for

provision, but heirs and co-heirs with Christ, invited to live from

Heaven’s economy, not a mindset of lack.

Jesus’ parable of the talents makes this unmistakably clear. Everything

entrusted to the servants belonged to the master. Two invested what they

were given and were rewarded, not for results alone, but for

faithfulness. The third servant, ruled by fear, buried his talent and

was judged accordingly. The issue was not ability, but belief. Faith

produces fruit; fear produces passivity.

Ultimately, Kingdom finances are not about amounts, formulas, or

performance. They are about faith, trust, and surrender. Everything

belongs to the Master. Faithfulness matters more than comparison. Fear

hinders fruitfulness. Increase flows through faithful stewardship. And

accountability is real.

True financial peace doesn’t come from having “enough.” It comes from

knowing the Father who promises, “I will take care of you.” May we live

as stewards, not owners, anchored in the confidence that no one can take

better care of us than our Father.