Honoring God Through Our Relationship with Money
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the letter of James, specifically focusing on James 5:1-6, to explore the topic of money and how it intersects with our faith. The core message is that money itself is not the problem; rather, it is our relationship with money that can lead us astray. We must ask ourselves how we can honor God with our work, money, and possessions. James addresses three main issues with how unbelieving rich people handle their wealth: they hoard it, they make money at any cost, and they spend it on self-indulgence.
Firstly, James criticizes the hoarding of wealth, emphasizing that it is not about saving wisely for future needs but about piling up wealth to feel secure and in control. This misplaced hope in money rather than in God is a significant issue. Secondly, James condemns making money at any cost, including exploiting others. The way we make money should reflect our integrity and honor God. Lastly, James points out the problem of spending money on self-indulgence and luxury, trying to satisfy every desire. The issue is not enjoying the fruits of our labor but overspending to find happiness, which only God can provide.
To honor God with our money, we must seek first His kingdom, do our best work as a form of worship, use our money to provide for our families and help others, enjoy God's gifts with gratitude and moderation, and practice generosity. These principles guide us to manage our money in a way that glorifies God and brings true peace and joy into our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Root of the Problem with Money: The issue is not money itself but our relationship with it. We must ask ourselves how we can honor God with our work, money, and possessions. This involves recognizing that our security and hope should be in God, not in our financial status. [01:07]
2. Hoarding Wealth: James criticizes the hoarding of wealth, which is about piling up money to feel secure and in control. This misplaced hope in money rather than in God is a significant issue. We must learn to trust in God's provision rather than our bank accounts. [09:30]
3. Making Money at Any Cost: The way we make money should reflect our integrity and honor God. Exploiting others or taking shortcuts to gain wealth is condemned. We should strive to make a living with honesty, integrity, and good work, which glorifies God. [18:28]
4. Spending on Self-Indulgence: The problem is not enjoying the fruits of our labor but overspending to find happiness. True contentment comes from a relationship with God, not from material possessions. We must learn to enjoy God's gifts with gratitude and moderation. [30:30]
5. Practicing Generosity: Sharing what we have with others is a way to honor God and experience double blessings. Generosity not only blesses others but also fills us with happiness. We should look for ways to share our resources, experiences, and time with those in need. [47:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - The Root of the Problem with Money
[02:11] - Honoring God with Money
[03:36] - Addressing the Rich
[04:35] - Characteristics of Unbelieving Rich People
[06:20] - Wealth in America
[07:35] - The Temptation for Believers
[09:30] - Hoarding Wealth
[10:37] - Saving Wisely vs. Hoarding
[12:07] - Misplaced Hope in Money
[14:19] - Trusting in God
[15:12] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
[17:43] - Peace in God vs. Money
[18:28] - Making Money at Any Cost
[19:34] - The Ethics of Making Money
[21:06] - The Value of Good Work
[23:01] - Exploiting Workers
[24:26] - Serving God vs. Money
[26:11] - The Cost of Gaining the World
[28:50] - Integrity in Making a Living
[30:30] - Spending on Self-Indulgence
[32:10] - Enjoying God's Gifts
[33:46] - Simple Pleasures and Gratitude
[35:18] - Overspending for Happiness
[36:57] - The Endless Cycle of More
[38:09] - The Futility of Material Pursuits
[39:38] - Solomon's Wisdom on Wealth
[40:41] - Contentment in God
[41:36] - True Enjoyment Comes from God
[42:21] - Summary of Problems with Wealth
[43:29] - How to Honor God with Money
[45:21] - Providing for Family and Helping Others
[47:06] - Practicing Generosity
[48:24] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 5:1-6
2. 1 Timothy 6:17
3. Matthew 6:24
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 5:1-6, what are the three main issues James identifies with how unbelieving rich people handle their wealth? [04:35]
2. How does 1 Timothy 6:17 instruct the rich regarding their hope and security? [13:19]
3. What does Matthew 6:24 say about serving two masters, and how does this relate to our relationship with money? [24:26]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James criticize the hoarding of wealth, and how does this reflect a misplaced hope? [09:30]
2. How does making money at any cost, including exploiting others, dishonor God according to the sermon? [18:28]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the pursuit of self-indulgence and luxury, and how does it contrast with true contentment? [30:30]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own relationship with money. Do you find more peace of mind thinking about your bank account or God's sovereign rule over your life? How can you shift your focus to trust more in God? [17:43]
2. Are there ways in which you might be tempted to make money at any cost? How can you ensure that your methods of earning reflect integrity and honor God? [23:01]
3. Consider your spending habits. Are you spending money to try to find happiness? How can you practice gratitude and moderation in enjoying God's gifts? [35:18]
4. How can you seek first the kingdom of God in your daily life, especially in how you manage your work, money, and possessions? [43:29]
5. What steps can you take to practice generosity in your community? Identify specific ways you can share your resources, experiences, and time with those in need. [47:06]
6. Think about a recent purchase you made. Did it bring you lasting happiness, or was it a temporary satisfaction? How can you find true contentment in your relationship with God rather than material possessions? [41:36]
7. How can you involve your family or roommates in discussions about being a blessing to others? What practical steps can you take together to share what you have? [48:24]
Devotional
### Day 1: Trusting in God's Provision
Our relationship with money should reflect our trust in God, not in financial security. Money itself is not inherently bad, but the way we relate to it can lead us astray. We often place our hope and security in our financial status, thinking that a larger bank account will protect us from life's uncertainties. However, true security comes from trusting in God's provision. When we hoard wealth, we are essentially saying that we trust money more than we trust God. This misplaced hope can lead us away from a genuine relationship with Him. Instead, we should focus on how we can honor God with our work, money, and possessions, recognizing that He is our ultimate provider. [01:07]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: In what ways have you been placing your trust in money rather than in God? How can you begin to shift your focus to trust in His provision today?
### Day 2: The Danger of Hoarding Wealth
Hoarding wealth is criticized because it reflects a desire to feel secure and in control through financial means. This is not about saving wisely for future needs but about accumulating money to create a false sense of security. When we hoard wealth, we are essentially putting our trust in our bank accounts rather than in God. This misplaced hope can lead us away from a genuine relationship with Him. Instead, we should learn to trust in God's provision and use our resources to honor Him. By doing so, we acknowledge that our security and hope come from God, not from our financial status. [09:30]
Proverbs 11:28 (ESV): "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are hoarding wealth to feel secure? How can you begin to trust in God's provision instead?
### Day 3: Integrity in Making Money
The way we make money should reflect our integrity and honor God. James condemns making money at any cost, including exploiting others or taking shortcuts. Our work should be a reflection of our faith, done with honesty and integrity. When we exploit others or engage in unethical practices to gain wealth, we dishonor God and damage our witness as believers. Instead, we should strive to make a living in a way that glorifies God, demonstrating our commitment to His principles in every aspect of our lives. [18:28]
Proverbs 22:1 (ESV): "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."
Reflection: Reflect on your current work practices. Are there any areas where you need to improve your integrity? How can you ensure that your work honors God?
### Day 4: Contentment in God's Gifts
Spending money on self-indulgence and luxury to find happiness is a problem because true contentment comes from a relationship with God, not from material possessions. It's not wrong to enjoy the fruits of our labor, but when we overspend to satisfy every desire, we are seeking fulfillment in the wrong places. God calls us to enjoy His gifts with gratitude and moderation, recognizing that He is the source of true joy and contentment. By focusing on our relationship with God, we can find lasting happiness that material possessions can never provide. [30:30]
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV): "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."
Reflection: Are you seeking happiness through material possessions? How can you shift your focus to find contentment in your relationship with God?
### Day 5: The Blessing of Generosity
Practicing generosity is a way to honor God and experience double blessings. When we share what we have with others, we not only bless them but also experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from giving. Generosity reflects God's character and demonstrates our trust in His provision. By looking for ways to share our resources, experiences, and time with those in need, we can make a positive impact on the world around us and grow in our faith. Generosity is a powerful way to live out our faith and bring glory to God. [47:06]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How can you practice generosity in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to share your resources, experiences, and time with those in need?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The problem is not money itself, it's our relationship to money. So, I want you to know that that's very important. That's a foundation as we're talking about this, and so really the question and the goal that I want us to be thinking about as we look at these scriptures is this. How do you honor God? How do you honor God with your work, with your money and your possessions? How do you pursue your work and manage your money and possessions in a way that brings glory to God in the way of life he's laid out for us?" [01:07] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we're going to be serious about trying to be disciples of Jesus, trying to follow the way of Jesus, we have to know how to honor God with the details of our life, and money takes up a lot. It takes up a lot of our thinking, a lot of our thought life, takes up a lot of our time because we spend a lot of time making money and a lot of time spending money. So, if we're going to be serious about following Jesus in daily life, we need to understand this. We need to say money's not bad, but how do we use it? How do we make it and use it in a way that actually points to the goodness of God?" [02:11] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The issue isn't spending money on things you enjoy. That's of God. Did you know it's okay to spend money on things you enjoy? Because a lot of times as Christians, we're like, it's bad to enjoy things. Definitely bad to spend money on enjoying things. That's not godly. It is godly to work hard and to use some of your money to enjoy things. Because God is the source of everything that we do enjoy." [30:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God has placed eternity in your heart. And so the only thing that can make you happy because he's designed you for God and for an eternal relationship with God is to be in a right relationship with Him. He's placed that desire for more inside of you. And until you find God, you will always look to this earth for happiness." [40:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul said, godliness, a relationship with God, following Jesus, with contentment. Thanks. Thanksfulness and gratitude is great gain. Following Jesus with thankfulness and contentment is great gain. That is the gain that you're truly looking for." [41:36] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I've found that even though we're trying to follow Jesus, because money is so complicated and it is involved in so much of our lives. That we are tempted to live just like arrogant, unbelieving rich people. We are tempted to make money at any cost. We are tempted to store up treasure on this earth. And if you don't agree with those two, we're all tempted to pursue more and better stuff." [07:35] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The issue isn't saving wisely. The issue is excessively saving money to try to feel secure and in control. In control of your life. And here's the deal. This is where when we talk about money, there's nuance. It's very clear if I got up here and we were talking about adultery, it says do not commit adultery. That's like, okay, it's obvious. There's no nuance there. With money, there's nuance. What does it mean to excessively save for money so that you feel secure, because that's relative, and feel in control of your life? It's kind of a heart set. It's a mindset. It's a mindset." [11:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The issue is the way you make money. The issue is making money, being willing to make money at any cost, taking shortcuts, gaming the system, lying, exploiting people, taking advantage of people to make the money. And that's where, that's nuanced because evil people straight up do that with don't even hide it." [21:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The way unbelieving rich people spend their money is because they spend money. He says, you lived in luxury and self-indulgence, satisfying your every desire. To be clear, the issue, this is important, the issue isn't spending money on things you enjoy. That's of God. Did you know it's okay to spend money on things you enjoy? Because a lot of times as Christians, we're like, it's bad to enjoy things. Definitely bad to spend money on enjoying things. That's not godly. It is godly to work hard and to use some of your money to enjoy things. Because God is the source of everything that we do enjoy." [30:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The three problems that he pointed out with the way unbelieving rich people manage and see their money is one, the way they save money. They hoard their money because they're trying to place their hope in the money, security and all those things. Two, the way they make their money. They're willing to make money at any cost, even exploiting other people. And three, they spend money to try to find happiness. And money and possessions cannot make you happy." [42:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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