“If You Can’t Trust God With THIS… Stop Asking Him for THAT.” A Pastor Answers the Money Questions Everyone’s Asking (But Few Want to Hear)

I don’t get a ton of questions about money.

But I do get a lot of prayer requests because of it.

“Pastor, we’re behind.”

“Pray for breakthrough.”

“Pray for provision.”

“Pray for a miracle.”

And when you start seeing how much stress, fear, and pressure finances are putting on people, you realize something:

If it’s affecting people this much… we better talk about it.

Because Scripture does.

In Luke 16, Jesus said trusting Him with money is the least use of faith.

The least.

That means money isn’t the highest spiritual mountain… it’s the entry-level weight room.

You don’t start a workout with the heaviest lift. You start light. You build strength. You prove trust.

So if we struggle trusting God with finances (the “least”) why are we shocked when trusting Him for healing, restoration, emotional freedom, or family breakthrough feels hard?

You can’t bypass the basics.

You can’t ask God to move mountains if you won’t trust Him with what’s in your hand.

And before we go any further, let me say this plainly:

I’ve seen manipulation in the name of giving that makes con artists look honest. Tears. Hype. Spiritual pressure. And the worst part? It works.

That’s not maturity. That’s immaturity with a microphone.

The answer isn’t gimmicks.
The answer is teaching.

As Romans 10:17 says, faith comes by hearing the Word. So let’s grow up in this area.

Let’s answer the real questions.

WHY Do We Give?

The motive behind your gift matters more than your gift.

1 Corinthians 13:3 says you can give everything away… even sacrifice your life… and if love isn’t driving it, it’s worthless.

So no, you can’t buy God’s blessing.
You can’t purchase miracles.
You can’t bribe heaven.

In Acts 8, Simon tried to buy the power of God. Peter shut it down hard.

Giving is not a transaction. It’s trust.

God prospers us so we can:

• Establish His kingdom (Deuteronomy 8:18)
• Help those in need (Ephesians 4:28)
• Abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)

We don’t give to get.
We give because we’ve been given everything.

Grace received always becomes generosity released.

WHEN Do We Give?

Most people give leftovers.

After bills.
After upgrades.
After vacations.

Scripture calls it first fruits.

Proverbs 3:9–10 says honor the Lord with the first portion.

Not the scraps.

And no, we don’t just give when we “feel something.”

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 says decide in your heart. No arm-twisting. No guilt.
Just joy.

Giving isn’t a tax.
It’s worship.

WHERE Do We Give?

You give where you’re fed.

Paul makes that clear in 1 Corinthians 9, Galatians 6, and 1 Timothy 5.

You don’t eat at one restaurant and pay another.

Malachi 3:10 calls it the storehouse… the place where you receive nourishment.

The local church isn’t perfect. None are.

But when you find a house that feeds you grace, freedom, truth… you support it. Because what feeds you should flourish.

HOW Much Do We Give?

People want a number.

The tithe (10%) is a powerful biblical rhythm. Not a legalistic requirement. A training ground.

It teaches priority.
Consistency.
Trust.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, Paul talks about setting aside money regularly, in proportion to income.

Consistent.
Proportional.
Intentional.

And here’s something I challenge people with:

Graduate your generosity.

Whatever you’re giving now — grow it.

Stretch it.

Because generous Father = generous kids.

If you’re a believer… generosity is in your DNA.

Here’s the bottom line.

Money isn’t the greatest test of faith… it’s the first one.

If you can trust God here, you’ll find it a lot easier to trust Him everywhere else.

This isn’t about amounts.
It’s about alignment.

We don’t give to live.
We live to give.

And when grace really grips your heart, generosity won’t feel forced.
It’ll feel natural.

BEN DAILEY

www.awakenchurch.ac

benwdailey@awakenchurch.ac

972.261.1919

LEAD PASTOR