Fearless Finances: “Soul Prosperity”

Sunday, January 7, 2024

One Day Offering:

Three weeks ago we received our One Day offering for missions.

I am pleased to announce that as of today, we have received $18,005.33. We celebrate each and every dollar that is given for the sake of spreading the gospel of Jesus to the many millions who have not heard of His saving grace.

However, this is short of our goal of $34,000 which our mission’s committee designated for the specific needs that have been shared with us. If you have not already given, and you would still like to, it is not too late. I encourage you to go online at www.freedomchristian.org and donate your generous offering to reach people for Jesus.

Dawson and Clair:

It is also my privilege to announce our new full-time children’s pastor.

Kelli, if you would join me on the platform, and I invite Pastor Dawson and Clair Wilmoth to join us as well. Pastor Dawson and Clair have been serving as our children’s director for the past several months and have been doing a tremendous job. We are pleased to receive them now in a full-time capacity.

Pastor Dawson and Clair, we welcome you to our Freedom Christian staff!

In a moment, I will invite you to pray with us for Pastor Dawson and Clair, but first I would like to administer a Scriptural charge for their ministry:

[2Ti 4:1-2 NIV] 1 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.”

These words written by the apostle Paul to his “son in the faith” represent the call and commission of a pastor. We are to “preach the Word.” Pastor Dawson, like Paul, I say to you, preach the Word to our children. Lead them to Jesus. Equip them to understand and live the teachings of Scripture.

Now congregation, I invite you to join us in prayer.

One final mention . . .

This coming Wednesday evening we begin our dinner church training 201. This next phase of training is for those who have already participated in our dinner church training 101.

We will meet at WTC at 7:00 pm each Wednesday. This training will take place over a 9 week period. Our dinner church training supports and equips us to fulfill our vision of “planting 5 churches in the next 10 years.”

For those who have not had the opportunity to participate in dinner church 101, we will be offering this training immediately following the completion of our dinner church training 201. More information to come in upcoming weeks.

Our January sermon series: “Fearless Finances”

Opening:

For many today, the topic of finances brings a variety of emotions.

Everything from fear to frustration seem to be associated with our finances as we all attempt to navigate to the best of our abilities what is needed to pay the bills, have savings, and plan for the future.

Many believe that if they just had more money, life would be good.

Lottery winner: in 3 years of worse off than before

Professional athlete: lives in a mansion while playing but ends up homeless when finished

Rock musician: who is a multi-millionaire in their 20’s and broke in their 30’s

I have read and studied a variety of books, listened to several podcasts, and sought the wisdom of those who are considered “successful” in finance.

For me, it seems as if the more I read and listen to, the more confusing this area of finance becomes.

One book or one speaker says something only to be followed by another book or speaker who says the exact opposite.

Each provides their proof of experience to solidify the presented perspective.

Why does there seem to be so much confusion and disagreement when it comes to our finances?

2 extremes in response:

Care free/disinterest

Consumed and controlled

On the one hand, there are those who choose to take a non-interested approach. “We aren’t really that concerned with money.”

There are a variety of reasons that can and do contribute to this perspective.

The bottom line however is typically someone who reaches a point in life when they can no longer sustain this perspective.

Eventually, each of us are required to take into serious consideration this topic of finances.

The other perspective tends to swing to the opposite side of the spectrum when the individual becomes consumed with the topic.

It is all they think about and all they pursue. The unfortunate reality of this approach is that there is more to life than just our finances.

I suggest that the place we must turn is to Scripture for our education and instruction.

But this is not always a guaranteed approach either as often many misinterpret what the Bible actually has to say about our finances.

Have you heard these statements . . .

“Money is the root of all evil.” (The love of money . . .)

“The rich can’t enter the kingdom of God.” (We can’t enter heaven through our works)

“Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” (Heart follows treasure)

Today, we begin with a Scripture that I believe provides the foundation for our topic. It is found in 3 John 1:2

Text: 3 John 1:2 “Dear friend, I pray you may prosper concerning everything and be healthy, just as your soul prospers.”

It is my belief that: “Our financial prosperity is directly connected with our soul’s prosperity.”

Without the prosperity of soul, more money will not solve life’s problems.

Notice with me the three major thoughts the apostle John states in our text:

“Concerning everything”

“Be healthy”

“Just as your soul prospers”

Concerning everything . . .

Money isn’t everything, but it is important.

The word “prosperity” used here is interpreted as: “to help on the road.”

It is God’s heart that we experience fullness of life in all aspects of living.

When we are captivated by fear or frustration with our finances, we are not living in a prosperous state.

God provides us with His instructions regarding our finances in order to “help us on the road.”

His principles are not intended to produce legalism but liberty.

Be healthy . . .

To be healthy is to be whole.

Health is a state of being as opposed to a number to achieve.

We can set a target goal of achievement for our finances, reach our goal, and in the process become unhealthy.

Jesus said it this way: “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?”

To focus on the increase of our bank account at the cost of our friends and family is a tremendous price to pay.

The apostle John places emphasis on health which indicates that the decisions we make and the goals we pursue must be with a holistic perspective in mind.

“Just as your soul prospers . . .”

The word “just” is comparative.

It is revealing a similarity between two conditions: our finances must prosper “just as” our soul prospers.

Simply said: soul prosperity=financial prosperity.

Let’s define what we mean by the word, “soul.”

Our soul is one of three parts to our humanity. Each of us has a spirit, a soul, and a body.

We can see that each of us has a body. Scripture indicates that our body is a temporary shell that will return to dust, but that our spirit and soul will live on throughout eternity.

The spirit of man is the innermost being. God’s Spirit speaks to our spirit. The spirit is where Jesus lives as Savior.

The soul is our mind, will, and emotions. The soul contains our thoughts and decisions. It is energized by the choices of our will, and fueled by our emotions.

Therefore, when John says for us to prosper “just as our soul” prospers, he is saying that we need to experience prosperity of mind, prosperity of will, and prosperity of emotions.

What does prosperity of mind look like? . . .

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Mental prosperity is . . .

Freedom from anxiety

Thanksgiving

Peace which guards heart and mind

What does mental poverty look like? . . .

Anxiety

Irritation and discontentment

Fear which opens our hearts and minds

Which one are you experiencing?

Without the prosperity of soul, more money will not solve life’s problems.

What does prosperity of will look like? . . .

Our answer is found in the teaching of Jesus. It is stated in the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray . . .

Mat 6:10 “Your kingdom come. Your will be done.”

Prosperity of will is always connected with God’s will.

Jesus modeled this prayer in the Garden prior to His crucifixion. He prayed, “not My will but Thine be done.”

Prosperity of will is contingent on the surrender of our will to God’s plan for our life.

What does poverty of will look like? . . .

Luke 12: 18-19 “And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”

Poverty of will is shaped by imposing self-will apart from God’s will.

The issue wasn’t that the man was rich. The issue was in his “I will” statements which revealed his heart.

Was it wrong for the man to build bigger barns?

The key principle that Jesus was teaching is found in His final statement . . .

21 “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

The rich man was not “rich toward God.” As a result, he experienced poverty of will.

Without the prosperity of soul, more money will not solve life’s problems.

What does emotional prosperity look like? . . .

Our answer is found once again in the teaching of Jesus.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Emotional prosperity is based on priorities.

What I prioritize I will pursue.

Kingdom of God: “the King’s domain”

Righteousness of God: “the King’s character”

In contrast, what does emotional poverty look like? . . .

Emotional poverty is focused on problems.

Mat 6:25"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? …”

“Don’t worry about your life”

“Is not life more?

Without the prosperity of soul, more money will not solve life’s problems.

Is it possible to live fearless with our finances?

Take away: We can live fearless in our finances if we focus on the prosperity of our souls rather than the prosperity of our bank account.

Next week . . .

Pastor Larry will be speaking on what the Bible teaches us about living as stewards of God’s resources.

At the end of our financial series for the month, Pastor Larry and Jenny will provide Financial Peace University.

Financial Peace University is . . . the class that’s helped nearly 10 million people take control of their money!

As you leave today . . .

Pick up your copy of today’s sermon reflection sheet which will lead you through a series of questions to help you start taking steps to “soul prosperity.”

Communion . . .