Kingdom Finances: Prioritizing God Over Wealth
Summary
In the discussion about Kingdom Finances, the focus is on the relationship between wealth and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God over material possessions. The message begins with a reminder that being rich in worldly goods is meaningless without God. The teachings of the Apostle Paul to Timothy are cited, instructing the wealthy not to be proud or to place their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but rather to fix their hope on God. This aligns with Jesus' teaching to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with the assurance that all other things will be added as a result.
The conversation then shifts to personal anecdotes, including gratitude for prayers for a successful surgery and the support provided by family during recovery. The speaker also humorously recounts a morning mishap involving a snowbank, setting a tone of relatability and community.
The narrative continues with a story about the Butterball company's Thanksgiving hotline, which serves as a segue into the main topic of using money for good within the kingdom of God. The speaker shares examples of how giving to missions fulfills the Great Commission, highlighting the impact of long-term partnerships with organizations like One Hope and the significant number of children and youth reached through such giving.
The message further explores the concept of using money to do good by supporting various causes, including missions, charities, and projects that align with personal interests. The speaker encourages generosity and warns against giving reluctantly or under pressure, emphasizing the joy and praise to God that come from giving.
The discussion then delves into the biblical account of the Rich Young Ruler, who was challenged by Jesus to sell his possessions and give to the poor to have treasure in heaven. This story illustrates the grip that the spirit of Mammon, or greed, can have on individuals, preventing them from using their wealth for the kingdom's good.
The speaker also addresses the common misconception that wealth is an indicator of spiritual favor, using the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to illustrate the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom. This leads to the conclusion that it is impossible to achieve spiritual goals or wealth on one's own, but with trust in God, all things are possible.
The message concludes with a call to be ambassadors for the kingdom, using money wisely and generously. The speaker shares personal experiences of tithing and witnessing the blessings that come from trusting God with finances. The principle that 90% of income with God's blessing can go further than 100% without is emphasized, along with the idea that all money, including the 90% beyond the tithe, belongs to God and should be used according to His direction.
Key Takeaways:
- True wealth in the kingdom of God is not measured by material possessions but by one's relationship with God and the impact one can make through generosity. The story of the Rich Young Ruler serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing wealth to become a master instead of using it to serve God's purposes. [47:32
- The spirit of Mammon, or greed, is a powerful force that can distort one's priorities and lead to a life focused on accumulating wealth rather than serving the kingdom. Overcoming this spirit requires deliberate acts of generosity, which break the hold of greed and align one's actions with kingdom values. [53:02
- Giving should be a joyful and voluntary act, not one borne out of reluctance or pressure. When individuals give, they not only meet the needs of others but also inspire praise and thanksgiving to God, creating a ripple effect of blessing and worship. [01:14:08
- The principle of proportional giving ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial status, can participate in the act of giving. This principle respects individual circumstances while encouraging all to contribute according to their ability, fostering a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility within the community. [01:12:21
- Tithing is presented as a starting point for financial stewardship, a practice that acknowledges God's sovereignty over all resources. By giving the first portion of income to God and seeking His guidance for the remainder, individuals demonstrate trust in God's provision and align their financial decisions with kingdom principles. [59:06
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 19:16-22 (NIV)
> Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
2. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
> 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. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
3. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
> But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus tell the Rich Young Ruler to do in order to have treasure in heaven? (Matthew 19:21)
2. According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what should the rich be instructed to do with their wealth?
3. What does Jesus promise will happen if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? (Matthew 6:33)
4. In the sermon, what humorous story was shared to illustrate people's attitudes towards giving? [39:12
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Rich Young Ruler found it difficult to follow Jesus' command to sell his possessions and give to the poor? (Matthew 19:22)
2. How does the concept of "Mammon" as described in the sermon relate to the challenges faced by the Rich Young Ruler? [42:21
3. What does it mean to "seek first the kingdom of God" in the context of our finances and material possessions? (Matthew 6:33)
4. How can the principle of proportional giving, as mentioned in the sermon, foster a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility within the church community? [01:12:21
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own financial priorities. Are there areas where you might be placing your hope in wealth rather than in God? How can you shift your focus? [55:01
2. The sermon emphasized the joy and voluntary nature of giving. Can you recall a time when you gave joyfully? How did it impact you and others? [01:13:31
3. Consider the story of the Rich Young Ruler. Are there possessions or aspects of your life that you find difficult to let go of? How might these be hindering your spiritual growth? [45:40
4. The speaker shared personal experiences of tithing and witnessing God's provision. Have you experienced God's provision in your life when you trusted Him with your finances? Share your story. [01:00:54
5. How can you incorporate the principle of proportional giving into your financial planning? What steps can you take to ensure that your giving aligns with your ability and fosters a sense of community? [01:12:21
6. Identify a cause or project that aligns with your personal interests and kingdom values. How can you contribute to it in a way that meets needs and inspires praise to God? [01:14:08
7. Reflect on the idea that 90% of income with God's blessing can go further than 100% without. How does this principle challenge your current approach to financial stewardship? [59:06
Devotional
Day 1: Generosity Reflects True Wealth
True wealth in God's kingdom is not measured by material possessions but by the impact of one's generosity. The story of the Rich Young Ruler warns against the dangers of wealth becoming a master, rather than a tool to serve God's purposes. Generosity is the true currency of the kingdom, and it is through giving that one's spiritual richness is revealed. [47:32]
Luke 12:33-34 - "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that never fails, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: How does your current pattern of spending reflect your heart's true treasure?
Day 2: Breaking the Chains of Greed
The spirit of Mammon, or greed, can distort priorities and lead to a life focused on wealth accumulation rather than kingdom service. Deliberate acts of generosity can break the hold of greed, aligning one's actions with kingdom values and fostering a spirit of true freedom and joy. [53:02]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 - "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."
Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity this week to combat the influence of greed in your life?
Day 3: The Joy of Giving
Giving should be a joyful and voluntary act, not one borne out of reluctance or pressure. When individuals give joyfully, they meet the needs of others and inspire praise and thanksgiving to God, creating a ripple effect of blessing and worship. [01:14:08]
2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent instance when you gave reluctantly? How can you transform that reluctance into joy for future giving?
Day 4: Inclusivity in Generosity
The principle of proportional giving ensures that everyone can participate in giving, regardless of financial status. This fosters a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility within the community, respecting individual circumstances while encouraging contributions according to one's ability. [01:12:21]
Mark 12:41-44 - "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents."
Reflection: How can you apply the principle of proportional giving in your life, regardless of your current financial situation?
Day 5: Tithing as Trust in God
Tithing is a practice that acknowledges God's sovereignty over all resources. By giving the first portion of income to God and seeking His guidance for the remainder, individuals demonstrate trust in God's provision and align their financial decisions with kingdom principles. [59:06]
Proverbs 3:9-10 - "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Reflection: Reflect on your attitude towards tithing. How does it express your trust in God's provision and guidance?
Quotes
1) "Your money wants to be your master... your money wants to master you, control you... Jesus said you cannot serve God and money at the same time." [40:57
2) "The only way to overcome Mammon or to overcome greed is generosity... when you deliberately take something that's yours and give it away." [53:02
3) "Teach them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others." [56:24
4) "90% with God's blessing will go further than 100% without his Blessing... that's trusting God and the god Factor changes everything else." [01:02:50
5) "When you give to missions here at CLC... you're doing exactly what you're doing... fulfilling the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel." [01:05:13
6) "When you give two good things happen: first, the need that you gave to is met... and secondly, other people will hear about it and praise God for what you just did." [01:14:08
7) "Everyone should give proportionately... if you don't have much, you don't give much... but if you have a lot... then you can give a lot." [01:12:21
8) "Kingdom Investments have eternal rewards... when we are giving in the Kingdom, we are investing in the kingdom of God." [01:04:02
9) "I give God the first 10th... and then I say, what do you want me to do with the other 90%?... It's hard to be greedy when you know that the 90% doesn't belong to you." [59:06
10) "The principle of proportional giving ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial status, can participate in the act of giving." [01:11:44
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