Money: A Tool for Faith, Not a Master
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound relationship between money and our spiritual lives, drawing from Luke 16:1-13 and other scriptures. The parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16 serves as a starting point, illustrating the importance of using worldly resources wisely to benefit others and secure eternal rewards. The core message is that money, while essential for our daily lives, should never become our master. Instead, it should be a tool that serves our faith and glorifies God.
We delved into the idea that money can often compete with God for the top spot in our lives. Our work schedules, daily routines, and even our sense of self-worth can become entangled with our financial pursuits. This can lead to a dangerous tunnel vision where God is sidelined. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:21 reminds us that our hearts follow what we treasure, and if our treasure is in material wealth, we risk becoming enslaved by it.
The sermon emphasized three key principles for the righteous use of money, inspired by John Wesley: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. Earning should be done without harming oneself or others, ensuring that our pursuit of wealth does not compromise our health or integrity. Saving is crucial for seizing opportunities to do good and for providing security and freedom. Finally, giving generously is a reflection of our faith and a means to bless others, aligning with the biblical principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Ultimately, the message is a call to put money in its rightful place, ensuring that God remains our first love. By doing so, we can enjoy true riches and live a life that glorifies God. Money is not inherently evil; it is a tool that, when used rightly, can lead to both personal and communal blessings.
Key Takeaways:
1. Money as a Tool, Not a Master: Money should serve our faith and not become our master. It is essential to recognize that our hearts follow what we treasure, and if our focus is on material wealth, we risk sidelining God. By keeping money in its proper place, we ensure that God remains our first love and we can enjoy true spiritual riches. [04:26]
2. Earning with Integrity: Earning all we can is encouraged, but it must be done without harming ourselves or others. Our pursuit of wealth should not compromise our health, integrity, or relationships. By maintaining a balance, we can fulfill our divine purpose and glorify God through our work. [18:04]
3. The Importance of Saving: Saving is crucial for seizing opportunities to do good and for providing security and freedom. A well-managed storehouse allows us to respond to needs and invest in opportunities that align with God's purposes. This proactive approach ensures we are ready for the opportunities God presents. [25:33]
4. Generosity as a Reflection of Faith: Giving generously is a reflection of our faith and a means to bless others. It aligns with the biblical principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Generosity changes lives, both for the giver and the receiver, and is a powerful expression of God's love. [32:25]
5. Aligning with God's Promises: Money promises security and comfort, but only God can truly provide these. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we align ourselves with His promises, ensuring that all our needs are met. This alignment allows us to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. [41:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:08] - The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
- [02:40] - Learning Contentment
- [04:26] - The Pressure of Financial Needs
- [07:12] - Money's Influence on Life
- [08:53] - The Promises of Money
- [10:26] - The Pursuit of Comfort and Status
- [11:28] - Serving God vs. Money
- [13:43] - The True Provider
- [16:32] - Earning with Purpose
- [18:04] - Earning Without Harm
- [21:07] - Wealth and Righteousness
- [23:51] - The Role of a Storehouse
- [25:33] - Saving for Opportunities
- [31:17] - The Blessing of Generosity
- [36:25] - Generosity Changes Lives
- [41:40] - Aligning with God's Promises
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 16:1-13
- Matthew 6:21
- Proverbs 11:24-25
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-13), what actions did the manager take to secure his future, and how did the master respond to these actions? [01:08]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three principles for the righteous use of money as inspired by John Wesley? [16:32]
3. How does Matthew 6:21 relate to the sermon’s message about the relationship between our treasures and our hearts? [04:26]
4. What does Proverbs 11:24-25 say about the relationship between generosity and prosperity? [31:17]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the shrewd manager illustrate the concept of using worldly resources to benefit others and secure eternal rewards? [01:08]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the potential dangers of allowing money to become a master in our lives? How does this relate to Matthew 6:21? [04:26]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that earning, saving, and giving can align with God’s purposes and promises? [25:33]
4. How does the sermon interpret the biblical principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and what impact does this have on both the giver and the receiver? [32:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with money. Is there an area where money might be competing with God for the top spot in your life? How can you address this? [04:26]
2. Consider your work habits. Are there ways in which your pursuit of earning might be compromising your health or relationships? What changes can you make to ensure you earn with integrity? [18:04]
3. How can you create a “storehouse” in your life to be prepared for opportunities to do good? What practical steps can you take to start saving more effectively? [25:33]
4. Think of a recent opportunity where you could have been generous but weren’t able to due to financial constraints. How can you prepare yourself to seize such opportunities in the future? [30:13]
5. Identify a specific way you can practice generosity this week. Who is someone in your life that you can bless, and what action will you take to do so? [32:25]
6. Reflect on the promise of Matthew 6:33. How can you prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness in your financial decisions this week? [40:39]
7. What is one practical step you can take to ensure that money remains a tool in your life and not a master? How will you implement this step in the coming days? [41:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Money as a Servant, Not a Master
Money is a necessary part of life, but it should never take precedence over our spiritual well-being. The parable of the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-13 illustrates the importance of using worldly resources wisely to benefit others and secure eternal rewards. Money can often compete with God for the top spot in our lives, leading to a dangerous tunnel vision where God is sidelined. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:21 reminds us that our hearts follow what we treasure, and if our treasure is in material wealth, we risk becoming enslaved by it. By keeping money in its proper place, we ensure that God remains our first love and we can enjoy true spiritual riches. [04:26]
"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: What is one practical step you can take today to ensure that money serves your faith rather than becoming your master?
Day 2: Integrity in Earning
Earning money is encouraged, but it must be done with integrity and without harming oneself or others. Our pursuit of wealth should not compromise our health, integrity, or relationships. By maintaining a balance, we can fulfill our divine purpose and glorify God through our work. This principle aligns with John Wesley's teaching to "earn all you can" but with the caveat of doing so righteously. When we earn with integrity, we not only provide for ourselves and our families but also create opportunities to bless others. [18:04]
"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." (Proverbs 16:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your work and earning practices reflect your commitment to integrity and righteousness?
Day 3: The Power of Saving
Saving money is crucial for seizing opportunities to do good and for providing security and freedom. A well-managed storehouse allows us to respond to needs and invest in opportunities that align with God's purposes. This proactive approach ensures we are ready for the opportunities God presents. Saving is not about hoarding wealth but about being prepared to act when God calls us to serve others. It is a way to steward our resources wisely and ensure that we can contribute to God's work in the world. [25:33]
"Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." (Proverbs 21:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you adjust your saving habits to better align with God's purposes and be ready for opportunities to serve others?
Day 4: Generosity as an Expression of Faith
Giving generously is a reflection of our faith and a means to bless others. It aligns with the biblical principle that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Generosity changes lives, both for the giver and the receiver, and is a powerful expression of God's love. When we give, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. Generosity is not just about financial giving but also about sharing our time, talents, and resources to make a positive impact in the lives of others. [32:25]
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person or cause you can bless with your generosity this week. How can you take action to make a difference in their life?
Day 5: Aligning with God's Promises
Money promises security and comfort, but only God can truly provide these. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we align ourselves with His promises, ensuring that all our needs are met. This alignment allows us to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. When we prioritize God's kingdom, we find that our needs are met in ways that money alone cannot achieve. Trusting in God's provision frees us from the anxiety of financial pursuits and allows us to focus on what truly matters. [41:40]
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more for provision and security? How can you actively seek His kingdom in that area today?
Quotes
Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. If you are faithful in little things, be faithful in large ones. If you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. [00:01:44] (18 seconds)
Money matters. It matters to our souls. It matters to our quality of life. I mean, I've been poor and eating ramen noodles. I know, and then I've had money where I could go out to eat, you know, and give me a steak if I wanted to, praise God. Money matters. It matters to our quality of life, but this is a critical matter to our spiritual life. [00:06:49] (25 seconds)
Money has become, for many people, a functional God. What do I mean by that? If you think about that, just think about that with me for a minute. Our whole life is oriented around what? Money. Our work schedule, ain't it? You plan your every day, it's planned by your work schedule. [00:07:32] (24 seconds)
And notice it's God who protects. It's God who provides, right? Who supplies all your needs? God does. Who gives you purpose? Who created you? God does. Who gives you power to get wealth? And who gives you power over all the power of the devil? God does. See, the thing is, is that money promises something that only God can truly give. [00:13:21] (22 seconds)
The Bible says that we are God's worksmanship, God's craftsmanship, God's masterpiece created in Christ Jesus for good works. You are literally designed purposefully to do great things. So when you're not working, you're not doing the great things you were created for. Work is an expression of divine purpose. [00:16:23] (26 seconds)
Gaining the world without considering your soul or at the expense of your mental or physical health is not profitable. I'm going to, I'm going to mention scriptures. So you just write these down, Mark 8, 36. But Jesus said, what good is it to you? What profit is it to you? If you gain the whole world and lose your soul. [00:18:03] (19 seconds)
So we save all we can so we have an opportunity to do good and we can capitalize it when that opportunity arises. 2 Corinthians 9, 6 -8 says, Remember, a stingy planter gets a stingy crop. A lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm twisting. [00:25:45] (28 seconds)
This is Paul speaking, but then he quotes the Lord Jesus, he says, I have shown you in every way by laboring like this, that you must support the weak and remember the Lord words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive, he didn't say it's not blessed to receive, amen, because it's a blessing to receive, ain't it, praise God for receiving, but Jesus said, it's more blessed to give, if you're blessed when you receive, you need to understand something, you'll be more blessed when you give. [00:31:40] (29 seconds)
Why do we earn all that we can and save all we can? We need to do those things. And we need to give all we can. Why do we need to do that, though? Because generosity changes lives. This is why we do it. Why do we give? Because generosity changes lives. [00:36:12] (14 seconds)
Putting money to use in this way ensures that our hearts are in heaven where our treasure is. Money then will be in its proper place and God will remain our first love and we'll be free to enjoy true riches. [00:41:44] (15 seconds)
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