Biblical Wealth: Managing the Other 90% Wisely
Summary
Building wealth is a topic often misunderstood within the Christian community. Today, we explored the biblical perspective on wealth, focusing on the concept of "The Other 90." While tithing, or giving the first tenth of our income to God, is a well-known principle, the question remains: what about the remaining 90%? The Bible provides guidance on how to manage and grow this portion, encouraging us to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck and instead, to have more than enough to support ourselves, our families, and others, thereby expanding God's kingdom.
We examined the lives of notable Christian business leaders like John D. Rockefeller, Henry Heinz, and Mary Kay Ash, who integrated their faith with their business practices. These individuals demonstrated that putting God first does not hinder financial success; rather, it attracts it. Their stories illustrate that when we honor God with our resources, He blesses us abundantly.
The sermon also challenged the misconception that wealth is inherently negative or that poverty equates to spirituality. Instead, it emphasized that money is a tool that can be used for good or ill, depending on how it is managed. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. Therefore, Christians are encouraged to view their work as a form of worship, working enthusiastically as if for the Lord, not merely for human employers.
Finally, we reflected on the importance of having an excellent spirit, as exemplified by Daniel in the Bible. Despite being a foreigner in Babylon, Daniel distinguished himself through his excellent spirit, which was a reflection of God's spirit within him. This excellence is not about perfection but about doing our best in whatever we do, as a testament to our faith and as a means to attract God's blessings.
Key Takeaways:
- Tithing and Trust: Tithing is an act of worship and trust, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings. By giving the first tenth of our income, we honor God and invite His provision over the remaining 90%, trusting that it will go further with His blessing than 100% without it. [03:55]
- Wealth and Faith Integration: The lives of Christian business leaders show that integrating faith with business practices can lead to success. By prioritizing God, family, and then business, they demonstrate that faith-driven principles can attract wealth and expand God's kingdom. [07:31]
- Money as a Tool: Money itself is not evil; it is a tool that can be used for good or ill. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. Christians are called to use their resources wisely to further God's kingdom and help others. [16:02]
- Work as Worship: Christians are encouraged to view their work as a form of worship, working enthusiastically as if for the Lord. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of faith, attracting God's blessings and provision. [27:30]
- Spirit of Excellence: Like Daniel, having an excellent spirit is a reflection of God's spirit within us. This excellence is about doing our best in all things, which not only honors God but also distinguishes us in the world, attracting His favor and opportunities. [36:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:47] - Opening Prayer
- [01:53] - Understanding Tithing
- [03:55] - The Principle of the Tithe
- [04:38] - Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck
- [06:16] - Faith and Wealth in History
- [07:31] - Prioritizing God in Business
- [08:51] - God's Way is Better
- [10:29] - Generosity and Kingdom Expansion
- [12:35] - Challenging Misconceptions About Wealth
- [14:36] - The Complexity of Wealth and Spirituality
- [16:02] - The Love of Money
- [17:34] - Resources and Kingdom Expansion
- [19:24] - Biblical Examples of Provision
- [22:26] - Community Impact and Generosity
- [25:03] - Prayer for Kingdom Expansion
- [26:51] - Work Enthusiastically for the Lord
- [30:04] - From Consumer to Producer
- [31:45] - Lessons from the Ant
- [33:48] - Awakening to Full Potential
- [36:54] - The Spirit of Excellence
- [38:07] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Other 90
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
2. 1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
3. Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the principle of tithing as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to the concept of "The Other 90"? [03:55]
2. How did the sermon illustrate the integration of faith and business through the lives of Christian business leaders like John D. Rockefeller and Mary Kay Ash? [07:31]
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between money being a tool and the love of money? [16:02]
4. How does the sermon describe the spirit of excellence as exemplified by Daniel in the Bible? [36:54]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that putting God first in business practices can lead to financial success? What might this look like in a modern context? [08:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon challenge the misconception that wealth is inherently negative or that poverty equates to spirituality? [12:35]
3. How does the sermon encourage Christians to view their work as a form of worship, and what impact might this perspective have on their daily tasks? [27:30]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of Christians in using their resources to expand God's kingdom? [19:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current financial practices. How can you apply the principle of tithing and trust in your own life to honor God with your resources? [03:55]
2. Consider your work environment. How can you integrate your faith into your daily work routine to reflect the idea of work as worship? [27:30]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be serving money rather than God. What steps can you take to realign your priorities? [16:02]
4. Think about a time when you viewed wealth negatively. How can you shift your perspective to see money as a tool for good, as suggested in the sermon? [12:35]
5. How can you cultivate a spirit of excellence in your personal and professional life, similar to Daniel's example? What specific actions can you take this week? [36:54]
6. Reflect on the stories of Christian business leaders mentioned in the sermon. How can their examples inspire you to prioritize God in your own career or business endeavors? [07:31]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your financial resources contribute to the expansion of God's kingdom? [19:24]
Devotional
I'm ready to present the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined:
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Day 1: Trusting God with Our Finances
Tithing is an act of worship and trust, acknowledging God as the source of all blessings. By giving the first tenth of our income, we honor God and invite His provision over the remaining 90%, trusting that it will go further with His blessing than 100% without it. This principle encourages believers to rely on God's faithfulness and provision, rather than their own understanding or financial strategies. It is a reminder that everything we have is a gift from God, and by prioritizing Him in our finances, we open ourselves to His abundant blessings. [03:55]
"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 is one financial decision you can make today that demonstrates your trust in God's provision?
Day 2: Integrating Faith and Business
The lives of Christian business leaders show that integrating faith with business practices can lead to success. By prioritizing God, family, and then business, they demonstrate that faith-driven principles can attract wealth and expand God's kingdom. This integration is not about compartmentalizing faith and work but about allowing one's faith to inform and guide every business decision. It challenges believers to consider how their work can serve as a platform for living out their faith and impacting others positively. [07:31]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate your faith into your daily work routine in a way that honors God and influences others?
Day 3: Money as a Tool for Good
Money itself is not evil; it is a tool that can be used for good or ill. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. Christians are called to use their resources wisely to further God's kingdom and help others. This perspective shifts the focus from accumulating wealth for personal gain to using it as a means to bless others and support God's work. It encourages believers to evaluate their financial priorities and consider how they can use their resources to make a positive impact. [16:02]
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." (Proverbs 11:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you use your financial resources to support a cause or person in need today?
Day 4: Work as an Act of Worship
Christians are encouraged to view their work as a form of worship, working enthusiastically as if for the Lord. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of faith, attracting God's blessings and provision. By seeing work as worship, believers can find purpose and fulfillment in their daily tasks, knowing that they are serving God through their efforts. It challenges them to approach their work with excellence and integrity, reflecting God's character in all they do. [27:30]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: How can you change your attitude towards your work today to see it as an opportunity to worship and serve God?
Day 5: Cultivating a Spirit of Excellence
Like Daniel, having an excellent spirit is a reflection of God's spirit within us. This excellence is about doing our best in all things, which not only honors God but also distinguishes us in the world, attracting His favor and opportunities. It is not about perfection but about striving to reflect God's excellence in every aspect of life. This mindset encourages believers to pursue growth and improvement, trusting that God will use their efforts for His glory. [36:54]
"Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." (Daniel 6:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can strive for excellence today, and how can this reflect God's character to those around you?
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Quotes
1. "A tithe is when we, it's all about worship and it's all about honor. It's when we honor God with the first tenth of any financial income. We honor God with the first tenth of any financial income. So if I were to illustrate that, he's the source, he's the giver, it would be something like this." [01:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you do this, your 90 % will go further with me than 100 % by yourself. That's the tithe. That's the tithe. Lord, I'm worshiping in you first and foremost. Every time there's an increase, God, I bring a portion to you and acknowledge you, God, that you're the source of all the good things in me." [03:55] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "That we would move from a place of where we are to having, here's the idea, to having more than enough. That we would be able to provide not only for ourselves, not only for our family, not only for the future of our family, but we would also have enough to be able to provide for other families and see the kingdom of God expand." [04:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Somebody here needs to wake up to the principle that God's way is better. It's always better, and it will result in blessing in our lives." [08:51] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I think one of the greatest strategies of the kingdom of darkness to hinder the kingdom of God from expanding on the earth is to keep resources out of Christian men and women's hands." [17:34] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Imagine this, tomorrow, nine o 'clock, you're in your car, you're heading to your place of work and you're gonna have a performance review. Whether it's a mechanic shop, wherever it is, or you have your home office. You're gonna have a performance review. and it's the Lord." [34:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Daniel distinguished himself. He differentiated himself from everybody else. And then the next phrase, because there was an excellent spirit in him. Daniel, what's different about you? You're not even from here. You don't really even speak our language. You don't have customs, but excellence has a way of, um, you have to notice it." [36:54] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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