why bother with finances? page 1 23-dec-15. why bother with finances? 23-dec-15 fall sunday evening...

Why bother with Finances? Apr 21, 2023


Fall Sunday Evening Summer Sermon Series

Why bother with Finances?


Why bother with Finances? 10/23/2010

YOUR FINANCIAL TOOL SHED

• Oct. 24 - The Biblical Financial Tool Shed

• Oct. 31 - Materialism and Asceticism

• Nov. 7 - Why Bother with Finances?

• Nov. 21 - The Treasure Principle



1. Why is money so important to God?2. Why plan? (Why Budget?)3. Why save?4. Why avoid debt?5. Why Invest?6. Why give?

Why does God care about how I manage His money?

Why does God care about how I manage His money?


1. Why is money so important to God?

• *Despite availability of stewardship materials– <10% of churches have teaching programs– ~15% of pastors say they have been equipped

by their denomination or seminary to teach stewardship

– 2-4% of seminaries offer courses or seminars– 1-2% of of Christian Colleges offer them

• a. Most go to the Bible for comfort• b. Most go to the Wall Street Journal for

training in finances• c. Yet there are >2350 verses about

money and possessions* - Money Possessions, and Eternity (Alcorn) p.xii



• Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2-9)

• A counselor in training gives $10

• The rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30)

• John The Baptist (Luke 3:7-14)

• Larry Burkett’s conversion

• The Ephesian Occultists (Acts 19:18-20; 50K days wages)

d. Attitude about money is evidence of salvation


1. Why is money so important to God?(d. Attitude is evidence of salvation)

•A poor woman and a rich man (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 12: 20-21)


1. Why is money so important to God?(d. Attitude is evidence of salvation)

•The Story Money Tells



•e. Modern Teaching About “what doesn’t apply”–Old Testament Tithing–New Testament Sacrificial Giving–Old Testament Prohibitions on Charging Interest

–Restrictive Principles on Debt



•So What Does Apply?–What is money (it’s more than coins and bills)?

–Whose is it?–How God views it?–It’s potential use for two different kingdoms?


2. Why plan? Why budget?

• a. God’s Word tells us to plan– Proverbs 16:9

• A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

• b. We are to carefully watch what God gives us– Proverbs 27:23

• Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.


3. Why save?

• a. We are to plan for

the unexpected– Proverbs 22:3

• A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.


3. Why save?

•b. The wise man has a surplus–Proverbs 21:20

•There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.


4. Why avoid Debt?

a. Financial bondage is the state of being captivated or overwhelmed

by money matters…mental/spiritual“rich” can be in bondage

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

(Proverbs 22:7).


4. Why avoid Debt?

•Wealthy Man in bondage on plan to fix summer home

•Borrow = “lawa” = “join, bind, twine, twist together”Gen 29:34 - Wife “bound” to husband Leah named 3rd son LeviIsaiah 56:3 - a man “joined to God”


4. Why avoid Debt?

The Biblical Time Limit On Debt

“At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.” (Deut. 15:1-2)

Seven years!Seven years!


4.c. Four Attitudes That Foster Debt

i. Ignorance Prov. 22:3 (Prudent Hides)

Lack of Financial Training

b. Indulgence Prov. 13:25

(Righteous Enough; Wicked Stomach need)

Unrestrained gratification



c. Imprudence Prov. 16:3 (Commit)

Poor Planning



c. Imprudence Prov. 16:3 (Commit)

Poor Planning

d. Lack of communicationProv. 28:13 (Confess)


5. Why Invest?

•a. We should prepare for the future–Prov 6:6-8

•Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.


Why Invest?


Why Invest?

•b. We are to wisely multiply what God gives us–Prov. 31:16

• She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.


6. Why Give?

a. God expresses love by giving John 3:16

b. We are called to reflect God’s character

c. Faithful use of material goods is one way to express God’s love

1 John 3:17 (World’s Goods), James 2:15-17 (brother without)

Why bother with Finances? Apr 21, 2023“That was the best sermon on giving I’ve ever heard!”


The Rich Family Story


Are you comfortable with what God sees when he looks at the story of you handling His money and

possessions?

why bother with finances? page 1 23-dec-15. why bother with finances? 23-dec-15 fall sunday evening...

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