Try Me | Rich Wilkerson Jr. | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Try Me

Rich Wilkerson Jr.

VOUS Church • Oct 18, 2026 • 44 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In part four of the series on stewardship, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. explores our relationship with finances and challenges believers to move from self-reliance to wholehearted trust in God. By practicing the ancient biblical principle of tithing—giving God the first tenth of our income—we put God first, strengthen our faith, and expand kingdom impact. Tithing is not about earning God's approval or seeking wealth, but about responding in faith and gratitude to the ultimate Generous Giver.

Themes

Generosity and TithingStewardship and FaithTrusting God's ProvisionOvercoming GreedKingdom ImpactGospel Generosity

Pastor's Points

1.

I tithe to put God first.

2.

I tithe to build my faith.

3.

I tithe to make an eternal difference.

Key Points

Sermon Moments

“Money in and of itself is not wrong. It's not wrong to have money. It's wrong when money has you.”

“That's not first fruits. That's crust. That's not trust, that's crust. That's not a tithe, that's leftovers.”

“It doesn't take much faith to give God what's left. It takes faith to give Him what's first.”

“I don't tithe because I've conquered the love of money. I tithe because I'm determined to fight it.”

“I'd rather trust God with 90% than trust myself with 100%.”

“Money in the hands of a believer becomes seed. Currency is something you spend. Seed is something that you sow.”

“The harvest of generosity isn't just more money. It's more ministry.”

“You can give without loving, but you cannot truly love without giving.”

This Week

Establish a consistent system to tithe the first portion of your income automatically rather than relying on feelings or remaining funds.

Examine your heart honestly regarding money, acknowledging any subtle tendencies toward greed or self-reliance.

Prioritize God in your monthly household budget by setting aside His portion first before paying other expenses.

Step out in faith by taking God at His word in Malachi 3:10, trusting Him to provide beyond your own calculations.

Reframe your view of personal income, seeing finances as seed to sow for kingdom work rather than merely currency to spend.

Practice generosity in daily life beyond finances, giving your time, service, and encouragement to those around you.

Reflect regularly on God's ultimate generosity in John 3:16, allowing gratitude for Jesus to fuel a joyful spirit of giving.

Remember This

Tithing is a faith-filled discipline of giving God our first fruits, which guards our hearts against greed, honors Him as first in our lives, and advances His eternal work.

A Challenge for You

Set up a practice of tithing to put God first, build your faith, and connect to something bigger than yourself, remembering that true love always expresses itself through generosity.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.