Word to the Wise: Wealth

Intro

Play “Wise and Otherwise”

*Chinese, Scottish, French, Dutch, Kenyan*

Ready to get uncomfortable? We are going to talk about money

The intended audience of Proverbs is again made known when talking about money

Audience = affluent young leaders-in-training

Wealth is assumed; the Proverbs always address the wealthy and never the poor

Similar to always addressing young men looking for wives (not the other way around)

In this way, we are a great secondary audience for Proverbs’ teaching on wealth

We are ALL wealthy

Show global wealth distribution graphic

Some Proverbs regarding wealth appear to be descriptive rather than prescriptive

Talk about wealth giving power and authority, and getting people to like you

NOT our focus; not the goal of Proverbs

Instead, we will explore how the book is deeply interested in 2 big idea: How wealth is made, and how it is used

Pray

How Wealth is Made

Through hard work

Cf. Prov. 13:11 “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

“little by little” = literally “by hand” = by “labour or work”

Look to the ant you sluggard! We should never underestimate the power of hard work (increase wealth)

Get off the couch and find a job! Tell about my dad making me look for work

Honest labour, not dishonest

“hastily” can also mean “by fraud”; both are negative

Never be dishonest in any business dealings

Find an illustration for here

Beware the “quick cash” bug

Refer to Pastor Dan Pope speaking up against the proposed casino in Brandon

Hard work, but not over-work

Cf. Prov. 23:4 “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.”

“toil” = “overwork, struggle… burnout”

Know when to work hard, and know when to stop

Take care of yourself (diet, exercise, hobbies, etc.)

Take care of others (time with spouse, kids, grandkids, neices/nephews and friends)

Through righteous behaviour

cf. Prov. 15:6 “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.”

Righteousness is connected to wealth (treasure) in 2 ways

Doing the right thing (moral righteousness)

Discard the notion of karma; this is all about trusting that doing the right thing will lead to lasting blessings

Even if you lose something, you will gain something greater

Still connected to the sense of wealth

Remind everyone of Alvin’s story

Doing the wise/right thing with your money (financial righteousness)

You can work hard and take in lots of money, but you aren’t smart about it, you can lose it

Read Evander Kane article; talk about dangers of gambling, jets, restaurants and kids all over the nation

We don’t make the same money or face the same problems, but we are still called to be wise with our wealth (examples for Ramsey Solutions)

Make a budget and stick to it

Live on less than you make and save

Invest and build wealth

Avoid unneccesary debt

Be a generous steward

Through divine grace (

cf. Prov. 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

Not just worked for, but given freely

We can take the idea of working and earning too far; needs to be balanced with God’s gift

Opens up the idea of stewardship: What we have is God’s and we care for it well

*Above list is a great example*

Shows God’s heart towards His children

We have a Heavenly Father who loves to give us good gifts, and our money is part of that

If you are not wealthy, this does NOT mean you haven’t worked hard enough or received God’s favour

God’s gifts do not always come in the form of financial success; they are far greater

How Wealth is Used

For family security

Cf. Prov. 10:15 “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.”

Hard work and careful stewardship provide security

If you are able to budget and save you can get in front of unforseen circumstances

Also possible to set aside for retirement or your childrens’ education

These things make striving to be a good steward great motivation

Should NOT lead to trusting in riches alone

cf. Prov. 11:28 “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”

Financial security is real, but is temporary and fleeting

It can also wittle away our trust in God

Talk about my view of money as security; God wants to fill that role in my life

For rampant generosity

cf. Prov. 14:21 “Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”

We need to look out for “the least of these” and provide basic life necessities

All in accordance to Jesus’ own teaching

Read Matthew 25:35-40.

What are the needs around you? Who is going without? Can you fill a need?

Share about taking the tour of SCO; mention Soups On and Southeast Helping Hands

Generous giving leads to generous gifts from God cf. Prov. 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Should NOT be our primary motivation (still selfish)

But God shows in His Word that enjoys blessing those who bless others

Metaphor of an artesian well, pumping water into the gardens of others while being constantly filled

Read John 7:37-39.

In Christ we are filled (by the Spirit with the ability to bless others)

This overflows into our generosity to those around us

For glorifying God

Prov. 14:31 “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

What we do for the least we do for God

THIS is our primary motivation

What we do for others we do for Jesus; our lives are to serve Him and bring Him glory

Every way we choose to steward our wealth needs to have an eye on kingdom priorities

Includes being generous to the church and other organizations with the same priorities

Brings your personal relationship with money into focus

Cf. Proverbs 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”

Your money can’t save you

You can’t take it with you when you go

So how can you use it now that will make an impact for eternity?

Conclusion

Word to the Wise:

Work hard to use the blessings of God to bless others in a way that matters for eternity.

Pray