Stewarding Wealth: Heart, Justice, and Eternal Impact
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound and challenging topic of wealth and its implications for our eternal life, as presented in James 5:1-6. The passage begins with a stark warning to the rich, urging them to weep and wail over the miseries that await them due to their misuse of wealth. This isn't about the amount of money one possesses but rather the attitude and heart posture towards it. The Greek term "plousios" refers to a class of people who use their wealth to manipulate and abuse others, not merely those with substantial financial resources. This distinction is crucial as it shifts the focus from quantity to the heart's condition and how we steward what God has entrusted to us.
James' words echo the teachings of Jesus, particularly in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus commands us not to store up treasures on earth but to focus on heavenly treasures. This is not a suggestion but an imperative, highlighting the importance of where our heart's affections lie. Our treasures reveal what we truly worship, and as believers, we are called to align our hearts with God's purposes, allowing His blessings to flow through us rather than hoarding them for selfish gain.
The message also addressed the reality of injustice and exploitation in the world, urging us to be mindful of how our financial decisions impact others. We are reminded that God sees and hears the cries of those who are oppressed, and there will be an accounting for how we have used our resources. This is not about inducing guilt but about recognizing the privilege and responsibility we have to use our wealth for eternal impact.
Ultimately, the challenge is to live with open hands, trusting God with our resources and investing in things that have eternal significance. This requires intentionality and sacrifice, but it leads to true freedom and joy. As we navigate this life, may we be a people who prioritize God's kingdom, sending our treasures ahead and experiencing the blessings of a generous heart.
Key Takeaways:
- Heart Over Quantity: The focus is not on how much wealth we have but on our heart's posture towards it. Wealth can be a tool for blessing or a source of manipulation and abuse. Our attitude towards money reveals what we truly worship, and we must guard our hearts against the entanglement of earthly treasures. [01:04:10]
- Eternal Perspective: Jesus commands us to store up treasures in heaven, emphasizing the importance of an eternal perspective. Our earthly possessions are temporary, but what we invest in God's kingdom has lasting significance. This requires a shift from self-serving to God-serving priorities. [01:07:15]
- Injustice Awareness: We must be aware of how our financial decisions impact others, especially those who are oppressed. God sees and hears the cries of the marginalized, and we are called to use our resources to make a difference for eternity, not just for personal gain. [01:10:05]
- Intentional Generosity: Living with open hands and a generous heart leads to true freedom and joy. Sacrificial giving is not about the amount but about prioritizing God's kingdom and trusting Him with our resources. This opens us up to experience God's blessings in profound ways. [01:14:31]
- Accountability and Opportunity: We will give an account of how we used our resources, and this should motivate us to invest in things that matter for eternity. The opportunity lies in recognizing that our best investment is in God's kingdom, where our treasures are secure and have eternal impact. [01:17:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:30] - Introduction to the Topic
- [00:03:45] - Understanding Wealth in James 5
- [00:07:20] - The Heart of the Matter
- [00:10:15] - Jesus' Teachings on Treasure
- [00:14:00] - The Intersection of Faith and Finances
- [00:18:30] - Injustice and Exploitation
- [00:22:45] - The Call to Generosity
- [00:27:10] - Living with an Eternal Perspective
- [00:31:00] - Accountability Before God
- [00:35:20] - The Joy of Sacrificial Giving
- [00:39:45] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- James 5:1-6
- Matthew 6:19-21
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Observation Questions:
1. In James 5:1-3, what specific warnings does James give to the rich, and what are the consequences mentioned for their actions? [00:07:20]
2. How does the Greek term "plousios" redefine our understanding of who James is addressing in this passage? [00:07:20]
3. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about storing up treasures, and how does this relate to where our heart is? [01:07:15]
4. What examples of injustice and exploitation are highlighted in James 5:4-6, and how do they relate to the misuse of wealth? [01:10:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distinction between the quantity of wealth and the heart's posture towards it challenge common perceptions of wealth in today's society? [00:07:20]
2. What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven, and how can this perspective shift our daily priorities and decisions? [01:07:15]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that financial decisions can impact others, particularly those who are oppressed? How should this awareness influence our actions? [01:10:05]
4. How does the concept of living with open hands and intentional generosity lead to true freedom and joy, according to the sermon? [01:14:31]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current attitude towards wealth. How does it align with the teachings in James 5:1-6 and Matthew 6:19-21? What changes might you need to make? [00:07:20]
2. Consider your financial priorities. Are there areas where you are storing up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus? [01:07:15]
3. Think about a recent financial decision you made. How did it impact others, especially those who might be marginalized or oppressed? How can you be more mindful of this in the future? [01:10:05]
4. Identify a specific way you can practice intentional generosity this week. What sacrifice might this require, and how can you prepare your heart for it? [01:14:31]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt the tension between earthly desires and eternal priorities. How did you navigate this, and what did you learn from the experience? [01:07:15]
6. How can you cultivate a heart posture that prioritizes God's kingdom over personal gain? What specific actions can you take to guard against the entanglement of earthly treasures? [01:04:10]
7. Consider the idea of accountability before God for how you use your resources. How does this perspective influence your financial decisions and priorities? [01:17:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Heart Posture Over Wealth Quantity
Our relationship with wealth is not about how much we have but about our heart's posture towards it. Wealth can be a tool for blessing or a source of manipulation and abuse. The Greek term "plousios" refers to those who use their wealth to manipulate and abuse others, not merely those with substantial financial resources. This distinction is crucial as it shifts the focus from quantity to the heart's condition and how we steward what God has entrusted to us. Our attitude towards money reveals what we truly worship, and we must guard our hearts against the entanglement of earthly treasures. [01:04:10]
"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might your current attitude towards money reveal what you truly worship? How can you begin to shift your focus towards a heart posture that honors God?
Day 2: Storing Treasures in Heaven
Jesus commands us to store up treasures in heaven, emphasizing the importance of an eternal perspective. Our earthly possessions are temporary, but what we invest in God's kingdom has lasting significance. This requires a shift from self-serving to God-serving priorities. By aligning our hearts with God's purposes, we allow His blessings to flow through us rather than hoarding them for selfish gain. This eternal perspective challenges us to evaluate where our heart's affections truly lie. [01:07:15]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one earthly possession or priority you can let go of this week to focus more on storing treasures in heaven?
Day 3: Awareness of Injustice
We must be aware of how our financial decisions impact others, especially those who are oppressed. God sees and hears the cries of the marginalized, and we are called to use our resources to make a difference for eternity, not just for personal gain. This awareness challenges us to consider the broader implications of our financial choices and to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It is a call to be mindful stewards who reflect God's heart for justice and compassion. [01:10:05]
"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your resources this week to support someone who is marginalized or oppressed in your community?
Day 4: The Joy of Intentional Generosity
Living with open hands and a generous heart leads to true freedom and joy. Sacrificial giving is not about the amount but about prioritizing God's kingdom and trusting Him with our resources. This opens us up to experience God's blessings in profound ways. Intentional generosity requires us to be deliberate in how we use our resources, seeking opportunities to bless others and advance God's kingdom. It is a lifestyle that reflects the heart of God and brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. [01:14:31]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can practice intentional generosity this week, and how might it bring joy to both you and others?
Day 5: Accountability and Eternal Opportunity
We will give an account of how we used our resources, and this should motivate us to invest in things that matter for eternity. The opportunity lies in recognizing that our best investment is in God's kingdom, where our treasures are secure and have eternal impact. This accountability encourages us to be wise stewards, using our resources to further God's purposes and make a lasting difference. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our choices today have implications for eternity. [01:17:39]
"So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can be more accountable in your use of resources, and how can you begin to invest in things that have eternal significance?
Quotes
"And even as we invest, and as we think through godly and creative ways to not make the situation worse, but even how do we use our resources? How do we use our treasure to make a difference in the church around the world? Like we have to be thinking along these ways, because I'm telling you, there are just ways that, yes, they might be out of mind, out of sight, out of mind, but there are just systems in this world that have a way of exploiting those who have nothing, who have less." [01:03:17] (41 seconds)
"Because even though we can be a little isolated in America, right, and we can have, we can be isolated and there's middlemen and stuff like that, you know, it doesn't, it just doesn't make it right. Because the Lord sees, the Lord hears in his heart is actually with those that are oppressed. And one day we're all going to stand before the Lord and we're going to give an account." [01:04:10] (35 seconds)
"And I think for me, it's going to be a bit shocking because my tendency is always to gravitate towards, well, well, yeah, but I don't really have, you know, I don't really have a whole lot. So it's not really that big a deal. This is not a quantity thing. This is about how we are. I don't care if God has given you a dollar over your lifetime. How have you spent that dollar? Right?" [01:05:11] (32 seconds)
"And James is saying, there's going to be a group of people that come to the end of their life when there's an accounting and they've stored up this tremendous amount of treasure. They've got all this treasure to look at. And they've been saying, ah, this is my security. This is my power. I rule over this. And there's going to come a day when that very treasure turns back on them and eats their, what does he say? It's a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire." [01:14:31] (43 seconds)
"All of us, we have the opportunity this week. We have the opportunity today to say, Lord, thank you for the things that you've provided. Here it is. I'm open-handed with it. And God's not, he's not about trying to like rip you off or anything. Like, please don't have that mindset. Like God is a God of abundance. He's a God of blessing. And I'm not saying that if you give a dollar, he's going to give you 10 back. That's not sacrifice. That's not generosity." [01:15:37] (31 seconds)
"And James is just challenging us to remember for heaven's sake, there is a day coming when either we're going to have the regrets of wasting so much that God has provided. Or we're going to pull that chair up to Jesus and we're going to get to sit down. And maybe it's like the, maybe it's the lady that came into the temple and all she had was two little pennies. It wasn't much, but she gave those two pennies to the Lord. And he was like, wow, this lady gets it." [01:17:39] (38 seconds)
"And can you imagine when that sweet lady died and went to heaven, what that conversation was like when she pulled up that chair next to Jesus and they were able to have that play by play on, Oh, I remember that day I was there. I was in the temple. I remember this, like that was amazing. You brought so much joy to me. And they're having this amazing conversation about, about this woman who got it." [01:18:41] (31 seconds)
"We have an opportunity to honor God by holding everything open-handed and we'll experience the blessing as a result. Father, we come before you today. We love you. Thank you for this, this tough word. It's your word. It's tough, but it's a word that's for us because you are for us. And I pray that you would help us to just be open to evaluating our heart." [01:19:32] (31 seconds)
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