With every choice we make, we also choose to take away time and attention from other things. Don't cheat God.

1. Choosing to Cheat
Daniel 6

2. Who will you cheat?



We are going to cheat someone or something
When we choose to do something, we are also
choosing to take time, energy, money, from
other things we could be doing.
If you choose A – You also choose to cheat B,
C, and D. You only have some much time and
energy. Put all you energy in A and you have
decided to cheat B, C, and D.

3. Daniel 6

The choice Daniel faced

Who would he cheat?

Himself out of a promotion

The king from honor and obedience

God from his devotion and loyalty

He could rationalize that it would be temporary

He could get the promotion, then repent

He could be thrown to the lions

4. How do we cheat God?


Many ways – church attendance, prayer, study,
giving, devotion, example
The people in Malachi 3 were cheating God

5. How do we cheat God?



Many ways – church attendance, prayer, study,
giving, devotion, example
The people in Malachi 3 were cheating God
Laodecians (Revelation 3:15-21) were cheating
God

6. How do we cheat God?




Many ways – church attendance, prayer, study,
giving, devotion, example
The people in Malachi 3 were cheating God
Laodecians (Revelation 3:15-21) were cheating
God
Rich young ruler (Matthew 19:19-22) cheated
God

7. We think:

Feelings are what really
matter

8. We think:


Feelings are what really matter
God understands. Grace and
mercy will cover us.

9. We think:



Feelings are what really matter
God understands. Grace and mercy
will cover us
Other things are more
pressing and temporary

10. How do we give God His place?

Decide to change
Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10

Paul on road to Damascus

Baptism

We have to make a decision


11. How do we give God His place?
Develop new pattern and focus

What is your lifestyle and pattern?

Decide to start a new pattern

Bible class

Wednesday night

Read Bible

Pray


12. Conclusion
There is only so much of you to go
around.

Time, energy, money, talent,
opportunities

You must choose how you will use
them


13. Conclusion

Someone is going to be cheated and
not get what you want to give them.


DO NOT CHEAT GOD!
Don't look Jesus in the eye and say, “I
love you, but my family, my hobby, my
time, my job, my money is more
important than you are.”