Money

Our Vision: to grow a multi-ethnic, multicultural movement that manifests the kingdom of God

Sandusky Life church has 5 core values, transformation, diversity, sacrifice, belonging, and deployment.

Every year we like to take a few weeks and focus our attention on those values and kind of filter our lives and ministries through those things.

Next week we are going to look at things in more of a general way but today we want to be super specific.

How do our core values relate to money?

As I talk to you all, I hear common threads. On of the most common is MONEY TROUBLE. There are a lot of money problems: not enough money, too much debt, dealing with past bad decisions, not enough income, unexpected bills, prices going up, not getting raises at work, cant find a job and on and on.

Its the source of a lot of stress, relationship tension, depression and anxiety, and, I would venture to guess even some questioning and doubting God and His Plan. I can say that because I personally have experienced all of those stresses, tensions and doubts.

Real talk, in addition to peoples personal money problems, our church itself is in a financially challenging place. We manage our finances VERY carefully and track where every SINGLE dollar goes. If you are in our group messaging you’ve seen some financial numbers and know we’ve been short the past couple months. We have planned for that and set money aside to cover shortages BUT we also know that only goes so far so we are praying for God to provide

We believe that God cares about our problems and that His word speaks about how our lives can be changed. That includes money problems

I don’t believe God wants you to be rich or has promised us earthly riches. I do believe that he wants you to be holy, at peace, and wants you to be filled with joy

Lets talk about money with our core values as the lens for the discussion:

1. Transformation – We invest in change of lives, communities and cultures as a result of divine encounters with Jesus

How does that relate to money? -

We want people’s finances to be transformed to be conformed to God’s will, contributing to abundant joy, peace, and blessing.

Sin has resulted in brokenness in every area of human life, money and finances are no exception. From the highest powers in government, to the multi-billionaire, the middle class, those living in poverty, the homeless. Our relationship with money is broken.

Our life as a follower of Christ should begin to TRANSFORM EVERY aspect of us

Jesus says in revelation regarding the ultimate future“Behold, I am making all things new.” but this newness is already beginning in the lives of His people.

English Standard Version Ephesians 4:22–24

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

What are some reasons you might have money trouble?

Lacking Self Control - one of the fruits of the spirit in Ephesians

Laziness - 2 Thess. 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

Selfishness - We are called to love one another, bear one another's burdens, be generous, and to take care of our families but when we are selfish with money we spend it for ourselves without a thought as to how our decisions effect our spouse, children, (Future spouse or children), community or church

Greed - 1 Tim 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Pride - Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

There are also reasons you might have money trouble that are NOT related to your sin but come as a result of the brokenness that is in the sinful world we live in

Lack of knowledge/Life experience - You may not have grown up with good examples, you may have started off in life years ago without any help or guidance and are in a bad place now because of actions long ago. God designed the church to work like a body and a family. We want this to be a place of help, based on biblical principles. We want to be open about financial struggles.

Your “Tool Box” is Empty - you may not have had access to resources due to discrimination, systemic racism, broken educational systems, etc… The Bible acknowledges that reality. There is injustice and we understand that and have grace and humility because of it.

God’s Sovereign Plan - God has not promised WEALTH, It also may be part of God’s plan to allow difficult circumstances in your life. Even if God’s plan for you is not ease and riches you can STILL find joy, peace and abundance in Jesus.

2. Diversity – Valuing, empowering + including people of different ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds

We Value and Respect People from Any Economic Situation

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors

3. Sacrifice – Servants outpouring of their time, gifts and resources into all those they encounter.

sacrifice -

We Believe in Faith Filled Financial Sacrifice.

English Standard Version Chapter 8

8 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

First fruits as opposed to leftovers

Your willingness to sacrifice reveals your level of submission

God calls us to sacrifice instant, fleeting, incomplete pleasure for the sake of His long term good plan for us

New Living Translation (Prov ‘13)

11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.

4. Deployment – Intentional launching of equipped individuals to perpetuate the kingdom advancement

deployment -

We want our money to have world-wide kingdom influence

we don’t want to hoard our money we want to make our dollars work for Jesus

5. Belonging – Being a people of genuine love and authenticity who are living life together.

belonging -

We want everyone to be bought in

Matthew 6:21 ESV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So What?

Do your finances need to be transformed?

What step can you take? Seek wise counsel. Take a drastic measure. have a hard conversation. Sit down and make a plan.

Is God calling you to make a sacrifice?

We are going to be making pleas for some outside giving.