Living a Gospel-Centered Life in Finances
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of living a gospel-focused life, particularly in the realm of finances. Jesus is concerned with every aspect of our lives, including how we manage our money. The story of my early financial struggles and the lessons learned from a financial planner served as a backdrop to discuss the importance of having a gospel-centered approach to finances. We often fall into the trap of believing that money will save us, provide security, or bring happiness. However, these are lies that keep us from living the life Jesus intends for us.
Financial stress is a significant burden for many, often leading to anxiety and even affecting relationships. Jesus taught extensively about money because it is a common area where we are tempted to place our trust instead of in Him. The key to overcoming this is contentment, which is not about self-reliance but Christ-reliance. Contentment is about being satisfied with what we have and trusting Jesus to meet our needs, regardless of our financial situation.
We examined Philippians 4:10-13, where Paul speaks about learning to be content in all circumstances. This contentment is not about having more or better things but about relying on Christ. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of many evils, leading to discontentment and spiritual decay. Our relationship with money should reflect our trust in Jesus, not in material wealth.
As a church, we are committed to helping those struggling with financial burdens. We offer resources and support to guide you in managing your finances in a way that honors God. The ultimate goal is to have a gospel-focused approach to spending, where we use our resources to serve and glorify God, free from the bondage of debt and materialism.
Key Takeaways:
1. Gospel-Focused Finances: Jesus cares about every aspect of our lives, including our finances. A gospel-focused approach to money involves using it as a resource to glorify God, rather than seeking security or happiness in wealth. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulation to stewardship. [39:27]
2. Contentment in Christ: True contentment is found not in self-reliance but in Christ-reliance. It involves being satisfied with what we have and trusting Jesus to meet our needs. This mindset frees us from the endless pursuit of more and allows us to experience peace and joy in all circumstances. [55:00]
3. The Danger of the Love of Money: The love of money, not money itself, is the root of many evils. It can lead to discontentment, spiritual decay, and relational strife. Evaluating our heart posture towards money is crucial to ensure it does not become an idol in our lives. [01:04:02]
4. Practical Steps to Financial Freedom: Managing finances wisely involves slowing down, praying, and analyzing our spending habits. By doing so, we can uncover underlying emotional or spiritual issues and align our financial practices with our faith. [57:31]
5. Eternal Perspective on Wealth: Everything we own is temporary and will eventually fade away. Our focus should be on what lasts for eternity—our relationship with Jesus. By prioritizing spiritual wealth over material wealth, we find true contentment and purpose. [01:08:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [35:42] - Introduction to Finances
- [36:13] - Personal Financial Story
- [37:17] - Financial Planning Experience
- [38:48] - Purpose of Our Funds
- [39:27] - Gospel-Focused Finances
- [40:16] - Cultural Financial Stress
- [41:33] - Impact of Financial Stress
- [42:53] - Spending and Stewardship
- [45:10] - Philippians 4:10-13
- [46:40] - Contentment in Christ
- [49:23] - Learning Contentment
- [55:00] - Christ-Reliance vs. Self-Reliance
- [57:31] - Analyzing Spending Habits
- [01:04:02] - Love of Money and Its Dangers
- [01:08:46] - Eternal Perspective on Wealth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living a Gospel-Focused Life in Finances
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 4:10-13
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Philippians 4:10-13, what does Paul say about his ability to be content in various circumstances? How does he describe the source of his strength? [49:23]
2. According to the sermon, what are some common misconceptions about money that people often believe? [40:16]
3. How does the pastor describe his personal financial journey and the lessons he learned from a financial planner? [37:17]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the primary reason Jesus taught extensively about money? [40:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's teaching on contentment in Philippians 4:10-13 challenge the cultural norms of seeking more and better possessions? [49:23]
2. In what ways does the love of money, as described in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, lead to spiritual decay and relational strife? [01:04:02]
3. How does the concept of Christ-reliance differ from self-reliance, and why is it crucial for finding true contentment? [55:00]
4. What practical steps does the sermon suggest for aligning our financial practices with our faith? How might these steps reveal underlying emotional or spiritual issues? [57:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current financial situation. Are there areas where you are seeking security or happiness in wealth rather than in Christ? How can you shift your focus to a gospel-centered approach? [39:27]
2. Consider the concept of contentment in your life. Are there specific areas where you struggle to be content? How can you practice Christ-reliance in those areas? [55:00]
3. Evaluate your spending habits. Are there any patterns that indicate a love of money or a desire for more? What changes can you make to ensure your financial practices honor God? [01:04:02]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of slowing down and praying before making financial decisions. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life? [57:31]
5. Think about the eternal perspective on wealth discussed in the sermon. How can you prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth in your daily decisions? [01:08:46]
6. If financial stress is a significant burden for you, what steps can you take to seek help and support from your church community? How can you be open to guidance and resources offered by others? [44:00]
7. Reflect on the idea that contentment costs nothing but discontentment can cost everything. How can you cultivate a heart of contentment in your current season of life? [01:06:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Stewardship Over Accumulation
In a world that often equates success with wealth, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that financial security and happiness come from accumulating more. However, a gospel-focused approach to finances shifts this perspective. It encourages us to view money as a resource to glorify God rather than a means to personal security or happiness. This mindset transforms our financial practices from mere accumulation to stewardship, where we manage our resources wisely and use them to serve God's purposes. By doing so, we align our financial lives with our faith, finding fulfillment in serving rather than hoarding. [39:27]
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current financial goals. Are they more focused on personal gain or on how you can use your resources to serve others and glorify God?
Day 2: Christ-Reliance in Contentment
True contentment is not found in self-reliance but in Christ-reliance. This means being satisfied with what we have and trusting Jesus to meet our needs, regardless of our financial situation. Contentment in Christ frees us from the endless pursuit of more and allows us to experience peace and joy in all circumstances. It is a state of heart that acknowledges that our worth and security are not tied to material possessions but are rooted in our relationship with Jesus. By embracing this mindset, we can navigate financial challenges with grace and confidence, knowing that our ultimate provider is steadfast and faithful. [55:00]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with contentment? How can you practice relying on Christ more in those areas today?
Day 3: Guarding Against the Love of Money
The love of money, not money itself, is the root of many evils. It can lead to discontentment, spiritual decay, and relational strife. Evaluating our heart posture towards money is crucial to ensure it does not become an idol in our lives. This involves regularly examining our motivations and desires, asking ourselves whether we are placing our trust in material wealth or in Jesus. By doing so, we can guard against the dangers of greed and cultivate a heart that is generous and focused on eternal values. [01:04:02]
"Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your recent financial decisions. Are there any that were driven by a love of money rather than a desire to honor God? How can you realign your heart with God's priorities?
Day 4: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom
Managing finances wisely involves slowing down, praying, and analyzing our spending habits. By doing so, we can uncover underlying emotional or spiritual issues and align our financial practices with our faith. This process requires intentionality and discipline, as well as a willingness to seek God's guidance in our financial decisions. By taking practical steps towards financial freedom, we can break free from the bondage of debt and materialism, allowing us to live more fully in accordance with God's will. [57:31]
"Whoever is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to review your recent spending. What patterns do you notice, and how might they reflect your spiritual and emotional state? What changes can you make to align your spending with your faith?
Day 5: An Eternal Perspective on Wealth
Everything we own is temporary and will eventually fade away. Our focus should be on what lasts for eternity—our relationship with Jesus. By prioritizing spiritual wealth over material wealth, we find true contentment and purpose. This eternal perspective helps us to hold our possessions loosely and to invest in what truly matters: our faith, our relationships, and our service to others. By doing so, we can live with a sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that our treasures are stored in heaven. [01:08:46]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from accumulating material wealth to investing in your spiritual growth and relationships? What practical steps can you take today to cultivate an eternal perspective on wealth?
Quotes
1) "And so how can we have a gospel-focused mindset when it comes to everything in our life, including our finances? And so I ask you the question: What comes to mind when you think about your finances? And chances are we don't think about, like, oh, man, this is a great resource that God has given us that we get to steward, to make much of Jesus through what he gives us. No matter if that's a lot or a little. Typically, that's not what we think, is it? We start thinking, like, oh, man. Well, I think about it. When I think about my finances, I'm thinking about stress. When I think about my finances, I'm thinking about fear. When I start to think about my finances, there's confusion. There's worry, there's anxiety." [39:27] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "See, Jesus often taught about money. Why? Because we are often tempted to think that money is going to save us. Finances and money and stewardship was one of the main topics that Jesus taught about during his earthly ministry. And why did he teach about it so often? Because we, myself included, all of us in this room are tempted to think that if we have enough, we'll be set. And if we save enough, then we'll have security. And if we make enough, then we'll be important. If we have the things that we want, then we'll live a good life. And all of those are lies from the enemy. What it does is it keeps us caught, and it keeps us entrapped, and it keeps us often doing the exact opposite of what Jesus wants us to do." [40:16] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Look, used wisely, money can have an incredible impact on an individual's life and their walk with Jesus. But used unwisely, money can have an incredible impact on someone's life and their walk with Jesus. It's so true, isn't it? And as we talk today, we're going to talk about the area of spending. And look, when we talk about money, there are so many different topics that you can talk about. And I learned a lot about these topics whenever I was sitting down with this financial planner once. I've sat down with more financial planners. Don't worry. We're doing okay. Like, I know what a budget is, all right?" [41:33] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And this truth is simply this, is that you must control your spending or your spending will control you. If you don't control your spending, your spending will control every aspect of your life. All right. We know there's no stress quite like financial stress. Uh, we know that there's no pain quite like financial pain and the pains that it can bring. And look, if your spending is controlling you, do you know what's not controlling you? And it's hard for us to serve two masters, isn't it? I'm pretty sure scripture says that, right? And it's hard for us to serve money and God. It's hard for us to be indebted to one and try to be free and live with the other." [45:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Contentment is this ability for us to be satisfied with what we currently have. And this is tough for us. This is real tough for us. And contentment isn't normal for our lives. Contentment isn't a natural thing for us. We crave more and we crave better and we crave different. Sometimes you just crave a Taco Bell and you go out 1 a.m. Okay. But we aren't very content as humans. We always want something else. And there's actually this syndrome. It's not really fully a syndrome, but they call it a syndrome. It's called shiny object syndrome. Have you ever heard of it? And it means you see something and it doesn't necessarily have to be shiny. But the whole thought is like, you see something and you're like, oh man, I need that. I got to get that. I got to buy that. Man, if I had that, I would feel better. If I had that, I would do better. If I had that, I would be better." [50:46] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Contentment has nothing to do with the amount of finances you have. It has everything to do with your perspective on finances. It has everything to do with your spiritual state. And look, we spend too much money. We do. And I know things are expensive, but I can just do a little self-test as I drive through Walton County and Loganville. How are there this many storage units being built around here? Well, we got so much stuff, we have to build other buildings and pay other people more money to keep the stuff that we have. We can't even keep in our own houses. And how absurd is it? It's the lie. It's the lie that if I have more, if I have different, if I have better, then I must be more or better or different." [52:17] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Contentment starts to blossom when you focus more on Jesus and less on yourself. And when we start to put our eyes onto Jesus and say, look, he is the one that I need. And whether I've got plenty or I've got a little, he is the one that I need. No matter what season or circumstance I go through, Jesus is the one that I need. Look, this thing won't bring me happiness. Jesus will. This thing won't bring me value. Jesus will. And this thing won't bring me contentment. Jesus will. And when we turn our eyes to him and we turn our eyes off of ourself, that's where contentment starts to blossom. And Jesus is everything that we need." [56:14] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Contentment costs nothing. Nothing. But discontentment will cost you everything. Being content will not cost you a single dime. But if you are discontent, not only will it cost you financially, it will start to cost you emotionally and relationally. And most important of all, it's going to cost you spiritually. Because we can't serve two masters. It is vitally important for us to evaluate our relationship with money. That God cares about our spending habits because He knows how easily we can burn, burden ourselves. And today as we read Scripture, the truth that He has for you is He wants us to start to unpack some of the unnecessary weight in our life." [01:07:09] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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