Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO

Video of Scrooge

INTRO: In the English language the word avarice reveals a sin that is closely related to greed, stinginess, miserliness and covetousness.

An eccentric adventurer named Harry Lasseter walked into Sydney, Australia, in 1931, cornered three promoters and told them a fantastic tale that so fired their imaginations that it never occurred to them that the man might be unbalanced, dreaming or just lying to get a job.

He stated that, as a lone prospector in the barren back country 30 years before, he had discovered a chain of rocks that he was certain contained at least $5,000,000,000 worth of gold.

Believing him, the promoters organized an expedition and, led by Lasseter, set out to claim the fabulous reef.

As he failed to find it after a search of many months, the leaders ordered their party to return home, having realized that the reef existed only in the man’s imagination.

Although Lasseter partly admitted it, he went on alone—and died of thirst.

To stop others from making the same mistake, the hoax was given considerable publicity.

Yet, within the next few years, ten other expeditions not only went out to find this particular reef but got lost and their rescues cost the Australian government approximately $2,000,000.

Big Idea of the Message: Greed inevitably hurts us and those around us.

God desires that we be content with his gifts to us.

Application Point: Christians must cultivate generous hearts so they don’t hoard God’s gifts and exploit other people.

MESSAGE

WHAT IS AVARICE?

It is a sin of idolatry.

Earthly

fleshly

Idolatry

putting the creature before the creator

It is a sin against God.

ALL sin against God

a sin against humanity

It is a sin that causes trouble.

Unjust Gain

gained unjustly

WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF AVARICE?

It reaches from the least to the greatest.

Prophet / Priest

all are tempted in this sin

Adam / Eve

It reaches to a king … King Saul.

Rulers and leaders

David / Bathsheba

It reaches for more than just money.

We can be stingy with our time

we can be stingy with our love / our forgiveness / our compassion / our talent / our patience / with the very gospel of christ !!

WHERE DOES AVARICE COME FROM?

It comes from self-love.

Selfish Gain

lovers of money

It comes from selfish desires.

Virgins with their lamps

“Split the inheritance with me”… Rich man and his barns

Let us sit on your right and left… Apostles in power

James 4.3 “3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

It comes from the heart.

The Widows offering in Matt 12.41-44 - she gave more then all others although poor…

Ananias and Saphira - sold land but gave a portion

HOW IS AVARICE SO DANGEROUS?

It caused Adam and Eve to sin.

Created in His image, perfection, abundance, sufficient, blessing… lack of contentment

It causes a denial of God.

Look at the wisdom here !!

Goldy-lox mentality…

when we have security in ourselves we feel no need for God

It leads to an excuse for rejecting God’s invitation.

Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven !!

Christ bids us come and die

Not the prosperity gospel

It causes some to depart from the faith.

Think of how dangerous this is...

Sold your soul for stuff !!

pierced with many pangs !!

HOW CAN AVARICE BE CURED?

By setting the affections on Heavenly things.

Where our treasure is there our hearts will be

This is a momentary life we must focus on eternity

We have an inheritance in our Lord already

We must treasure Jesus above all else !!!

Mark 8:34–37 “34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?”

Parable of the treasure in the field…

By being content with what you have.

We must be constant in prayer for this kind of heart

It is ok to desire blessing and provision and honor

we must hold these things in open hands toward God

So heavenly minded we are of no earthly good

Seeking the kingdom so strongly that we do not notice the wants of this life

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AVARICE IS CURED?

There will be a renewed mind to use for God.

This world is perishing along with its desires

We will see the needs of others when we are not focused on ourselves

There will be a walk worthy of God.

Think of the rich man and Lazerous… he walked right past him daily

Think of the good Samaritan… he was the least likely in the story but the one who acted righteously in Gods eyes

There will be generosity.

There will be joy in our giving.

CLOSE

This is not a Sermon on Giving !!

This is a warning against Greed and the love of money and possessions !!

Big Idea of the Message: Greed inevitably hurts us and those around us.

God desires that we be content with his gifts to us.

Application Point: Christians must cultivate generous hearts so they don’t hoard God’s gifts and exploit other people.

Ecc 5.10 “10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

Ecc 5.13 “13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,”

Ecc 5.15 “15 As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.”

PRAYER