Sep. 10, 2023

Main Point:  Money is God’s chief competitor for our heart. 

Money is a good tool but a bad god.

Point 1:  God owns everything.

Job 41:1 Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

Psalm 24:1. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.

Palm 50:10. For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

Intellectually, we know that God owns it all, but it is so easy to confuse just who it really belongs to.  If our foundation is built on knowing that everything belongs to God, it makes following His teaching on how to manage money so much easier. 

Point 2:  We are managers.

Whether we have a lot or we have a little, we should be generous.

Luke 21. The widow and the two copper coins

Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents

Matthew 6:19-21. When it comes to priority, look at things in light of eternity.

Luke 12:16-21

21 This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.

Point 3:  The abundant life is a result of honoring God first.

There are consequences of obedience and disobedience toward God.  

When we prioritize the use of the resources God gives us to manage for Him, He blesses our lives.

John 10:10. A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Abundant life is not tied to material things.

Luke 6:46-47 Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.”

Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:48-49 Houses built on rock and sand

Have you been chasing Monopoly Money—things that don’t matter in eternity?

Given my circumstances, my family needs, and blessings, what would God have me do with the material things and finances he has given me to manage for Him?