Biblical Perspectives on Wealth, Power, and Stewardship

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we explored the often misunderstood topics of money, wealth, and power from a biblical perspective. Many Christians struggle with the idea of wealth, often associating it with greed or materialism. However, the Bible teaches that money and wealth are not inherently evil; rather, they are tools that can be used for God's purposes. We began by examining the common misconception that God wants us to remain poor. This mindset limits our ability to fulfill God's vision for our lives and the world. Instead, we should embrace the idea that God wants to bless us abundantly so that we can be a blessing to others.

We discussed the importance of having a vision that exceeds our current resources, trusting that God will provide what is needed to accomplish His plans. This requires a shift in mindset from scarcity to abundance, recognizing that God is the source of all provision. We also touched on the concept of stewardship, understanding that everything we have comes from God and is ultimately His. Our role is to manage these resources wisely and use them to further His kingdom.

Furthermore, we delved into the idea of power, not as a means of control, but as the ability to effect change in the world around us. When we are blessed with resources, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of others, whether through supporting missions, helping those in need, or expanding the reach of the church. Ultimately, the goal is to align our financial decisions with God's will, using our wealth to glorify Him and advance His purposes on earth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Money as a Tool, Not an End: Money and wealth are not the ultimate goals but tools to achieve God's purposes. When we view them as means to an end, we can use them to bless others and further God's kingdom. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating wealth for personal gain to using it for divine purposes. [39:15]

2. Vision Beyond Resources: God's vision for our lives often exceeds our current resources. By trusting in His provision, we can dream bigger and pursue goals that seem impossible. This requires faith and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, believing that God will supply all our needs according to His riches. [49:28]

3. Stewardship and Responsibility: As stewards of God's resources, we are called to manage them wisely and use them for His glory. This involves making financial decisions that align with His will and being generous in supporting His work. Our responsibility is to ensure that our wealth is used to make a positive impact in the world. [01:20:57]

4. Power to Effect Change: True power lies in the ability to change the world around us. When we are blessed with resources, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. This power comes with responsibility, and we must use it to further God's kingdom and help those in need. [01:20:08]

5. Aligning Wealth with God's Will: Wealth is not evil, but how we use it can be. By aligning our financial decisions with God's will, we can ensure that our wealth is used for good. This involves seeking His guidance in how to use our resources and being open to His leading in supporting missions and helping others. [01:14:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [35:08] - Announcements and Updates
- [37:19] - Introduction to Money, Wealth, and Power
- [39:15] - Misconceptions About Wealth
- [40:41] - God's Plan for Abundance
- [44:20] - Overcoming a Poverty Mentality
- [46:37] - Expanding Vision and Trusting God
- [49:28] - The Importance of Dreaming Big
- [51:42] - Vision for the Future
- [54:05] - Investing in Church Growth
- [57:22] - Sowing and Reaping
- [58:32] - The Devil's Deception About Wealth
- [01:03:19] - Abounding in Every Good Work
- [01:09:18] - God's Righteousness and Provision
- [01:20:08] - Power and Responsibility
- [01:25:01] - Closing Prayer and Giving Opportunities

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
2. Matthew 6:33
3. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, what is the relationship between sowing and reaping, and how does this relate to the concept of abundance? [49:59]

2. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus instruct us to seek first, and what is promised to be added to us as a result? [39:15]

3. How does 1 Timothy 6:6-10 describe the potential pitfalls of desiring to be rich, and what is the recommended attitude towards wealth? [01:11:38]

4. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate the concept of having a vision that exceeds current resources? [46:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the principle of sowing and reaping in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 challenge or affirm your current understanding of generosity and abundance? [49:59]

2. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in the context of financial decisions and wealth management? [39:15]

3. How can the warnings in 1 Timothy 6:6-10 about the desire to be rich be applied to modern-day financial practices and attitudes? [01:11:38]

4. Reflect on the pastor's story about the opportunity to purchase additional land for the church. How does this story illustrate the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance? [44:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current financial goals. Are they aligned with the idea of using money as a tool for God's purposes? How can you adjust them to better reflect this perspective? [39:15]

2. Consider a time when you felt limited by your resources. How can you begin to trust in God's provision and dream bigger, as encouraged in the sermon? [49:28]

3. In what ways can you practice better stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to you? Identify one specific area where you can make a change this week. [01:20:57]

4. Think of a situation where you have the power to effect change. How can you use your resources to make a positive impact in that situation? [01:20:08]

5. How can you ensure that your financial decisions are aligned with God's will? What steps can you take to seek His guidance in this area? [01:14:44]

6. Identify one person or cause that you feel led to support financially. What practical steps can you take this week to begin supporting them? [01:06:14]

7. Reflect on the concept of abundance versus scarcity. How can you cultivate a mindset of abundance in your daily life, especially in your financial decisions? [46:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Money as a Divine Instrument
Money and wealth are not the ultimate goals but tools to achieve God's purposes. When we view them as means to an end, we can use them to bless others and further God's kingdom. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating wealth for personal gain to using it for divine purposes. [39:15]

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (1 Timothy 6:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your financial resources this week to bless someone in need and further God's kingdom?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Abundant Provision
God's vision for our lives often exceeds our current resources. By trusting in His provision, we can dream bigger and pursue goals that seem impossible. This requires faith and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, believing that God will supply all our needs according to His riches. [49:28]

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one dream or goal you have that seems impossible with your current resources? How can you trust God to provide for it?


Day 3: Stewardship as a Sacred Responsibility
As stewards of God's resources, we are called to manage them wisely and use them for His glory. This involves making financial decisions that align with His will and being generous in supporting His work. Our responsibility is to ensure that our wealth is used to make a positive impact in the world. [01:20:57]

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you improve your stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to you?


Day 4: Power to Transform Lives
True power lies in the ability to change the world around us. When we are blessed with resources, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. This power comes with responsibility, and we must use it to further God's kingdom and help those in need. [01:20:08]

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your influence and resources to effect positive change in your community this week?


Day 5: Aligning Wealth with Divine Intent
Wealth is not evil, but how we use it can be. By aligning our financial decisions with God's will, we can ensure that our wealth is used for good. This involves seeking His guidance in how to use our resources and being open to His leading in supporting missions and helping others. [01:14:44]

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure your financial decisions align with God's will and purpose?

Quotes



If we don't, if we don't let God put a desire in our heart, you know what the Bible says that God puts the desire in our heart. God puts the desire in our heart. He gives us the desire of our heart. It could either mean he gives them to you when you desire it, or I've actually believed that it's, he gives us the actual desires and that he wants to meet, that he wants to accomplish through us. [00:50:57] (22 seconds)


The point is this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So, so if you have the other view and you say, okay, God, you can do anything, anything, literally anything. And I'm willing to do whatever you tell us to do. [00:57:36] (18 seconds)


If money and wealth are inherently evil, then you won't do what it takes to be, to have money and be wealthy. And that's exactly what we're going to do. Exactly where the devil wants you to be. The devil wants you poor. He wants you sick. Well, are you saying poor people are bad? Absolutely not. [01:00:00] (22 seconds)


And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that having all grace abound to you, all sufficiency in all things, at all times you may abound in every good work. As it is written, he has distributed freely, he has given to the poor, his righteousness endures forever. [01:09:33] (18 seconds)


The answer is when you are blessed, when you have enough, when you're able to do more, don't forget him. It's not that will bring about the opportunity. It'll bring about the opportunity. There's, well, see, I'm getting in my head. I'm so far ahead. I'm so far ahead. Let me see if I can find that verse. [01:10:28] (23 seconds)


Money is not evil. Wealth is not evil. What you do with that money, what you do with that wealth, can be evil. But it can also be very, very good. You know, praise God, this church is a giving church. Giving, I mean, we are so blessed here. [01:14:49] (27 seconds)


God wants to bless us so that when there's needs, this thing in Tennessee, thousands of dollars have gone to help people. Clothing, heat, temporary housing. Thousands of dollars. But it's come out of our blessing. If we really believe in poverty and money is bad, then not only we wouldn't be blessed, but they'd be even worse off. [01:17:41] (35 seconds)


I've talked about money and wealth. And money and wealth are tools. Money and wealth are not inherently good or evil. It's how you use them. But here's the fullness. Here's where we're headed with this. It's not about the money. It's not about the wealth. The wealth are tools. [01:18:51] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
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