10. The Man's Wealth

Introduction

It is a solemn truth that, with the money men get and the money men spend, they either get closer to God or further from Him. Eldon Martin

Money touches every facet of our lives

Money in and of itself is neither good or bad - its a neutral nessesity

Money depending on how it is dealt with, determines what it is to you and I

Illustration: In 1923, nine of the worlds most "successful" financiers met in Chicago's Edgewood Beach Hotel. To an outsider they had everything any man could want- money, position, authority, fame and power.

The group included:

Charles Schwab - President of the largest steel company in america - forced into bankruptcy and lived the last 5 years of his life on borrowed money

Samuel Insull - President of the largest electric company - died in a foreign land a fugitive and penniless

Arthur Cutten - A wealthy wheat speculator - became insolvent

Howard Hopson - President of the largest Gas Company - became insane

Richard Whitney - President of the NY Stock Exchange - convicted of embezzlement and sent to prison

Albert Fall - Secretary of the Interior for President Harding - was eventually pardoned from prison and died alone and broke

Jesse Livermore - A Wealthy Wall Street Investor - committed suicide

Ivar Kreuger - Head of a monopoly called Krueger & Toll Byggnads AB - committed suicide

Leon Fraser - President of the Bank of International Setlements - committed suicide

But were these men successful? Within 25 years each man had reaped what he had sown and the true fruit of his life was made known.

Solomon had something to say about this in the book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 5:10–17 KJV 1900

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

Equating rices with success and happiness is folly! Many men struggle with some basic misconceptions about money and we are going to address some of these during the introduction of this lesson.

Poverty equates with spirituality

Many are poor and without God many are rich in Christ and poor in this world, there is not necessarily a coloration between the two. Many Godly men were wealthy -Job was wealthy, Abraham was wealthy

Money brings happiness

How many of us have thought that more money would take away our problems. I remember thinking as a child that if I just had all the money I wanted I would be happy.

Illustration: I watched a cartoon when I was younger called "Duck Tales" and the show had three main characters Huey, Dewey and Louie. But another character in the show was their rich uncle "Uncle Scrooge". During the shows introduction Huey, Dewey & Louie are shown swimming in a sea of Uncle Scrooge's money. I remember thinking "it would be so great to have that much money".

Money is the root of evil

We have already touched on the fact that money is not evil in and of itself, it is the love of money that is evil.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV 1900

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Lets look at 4 aspects of wealth that can help us stay Biblical in our mindset on this very important subject.

I. The Perils of Wealth

A. Money can worry a man

This is something that can plague all of us from time to time but it does not need to be the case.

Matthew 6:31 KJV 1900

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we are focused on God's kingdom and righteousness then his supply is guaranteed!

B. Money can corrupt a man

No one would deny the emphatic teaching of Scripture that a man is to provide for his family.

1 Timothy 5:8 KJV 1900

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

In this verse Paul is specifically dealing with the responsibility to take care of widows in the church and aging family members but a principle is reflected that men should care for their own family.

We need to exercise caution here and not put our labour and provision above the Lord.

* Many people make decisions for financial gain and it later ruins their family

Example: Moving somewhere for a better job not having direction from the Lord about a church home

Example: Taking a job that keeps you from Church and serving the Lord

C. Money can inflate a man's ego

Men struggle with pride and we must remember where our wealth comes from.

James 2:1–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Proverbs 6:16 KJV 1900

These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

"a proud look"

Side Note: Many in our culture want to impress people with wealth they do not even posses. They do this with credit card debt and extremely high car loans, expensive vacations on credit cards etc....

D. Money can bring a man into bondage

Years ago if a man did not pay his debt he was actually sent to debtors prison. This is not true today, but money can still lead us into bondage.

Overdue Bills-

Investment Worries-

Get - Rich Quick Schemes-

Proverbs 28:20 KJV 1900

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

No Gainful Employment-

2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV 1900

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Those are the Perils of wealth now lets look at the Principles of wealth

II. The Principles of Wealth

1 Chronicles 29:10–14 KJV 1900

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Someone has said "money talks, and it's voice is loud and clear... it says "so long"!

Proverbs 23:5 KJV 1900

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

We must get an understanding of the fact that we are only stewards of money- all of it belongs to the Lord!

Matthew 6:21 KJV 1900

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

Your attitude toward money and wealth will reveal your attitude about God, His Word and His work!

A. The Principle of Ownership

If we are saved then its important for us to remember that we belong to God:

1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV 1900

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Haggai 2:8 KJV 1900

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

1 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

These are foundational if we are to understand the next principle

B. The Principle of Stewardship

Stewardship deals with our response to God being the owner.

Proverbs 3:9 KJV 1900

Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Leviticus 27:30 KJV 1900

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD.

Tithing began before the law was given, because Abraham gave tithes and Jacob did as well.

Malachi 3:8 KJV 1900

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

1. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PERIODIC

"upon the first day of the week"

1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV 1900

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PERSONAL

"let every one of you"

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

"as he purposeth in his heart"

3. OUR GIVING SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE

2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV 1900

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

C. The Principle of Fellowship with God

We show our love for the work of the Lord when we faithfully give to that work.

Matthew 6:20–21 KJV 1900

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Quote: Dr. D.P. Walters made this comment about our financial giving. "If a Christian is not right with God financially, he is not right with God period."

We have looked at the Perils of wealth and the Principles of wealth now lets look at the purposes of wealth

III. The Purposes of Wealth

There are multiple purposes for wealth in our lives. The same way a hammer can be used in different ways - pound a nail, pull out a nail, straighten a nail, find a stud in the wall, straighten out a bent pipe...... wealth has multiple purposes in our lives

A. To increase our trust in God

Do you have confidence that God will provide for you?

Matthew 7:7–8 KJV 1900

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

B. To reveal His love for us

Matthew 7:11 KJV 1900

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

C. To Develop trustworthiness

Luke 16:11 KJV 1900

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

D. To unify His people in His cause

Acts 4:32 KJV 1900

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

E. To satisfy the needs of God's work

Malachi 3:10 KJV 1900

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

We have looked at the Perils of wealth the Principles of wealth and the Purposes of wealth. Lastly I want us to consider the Planning of wealth.

IV. The Planning of Wealth

If we do not tell our wealth what to do we will eventually find it controlling us.

Proverbs 6:6–8 KJV 1900

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.

A. Have short-range goals

Establish a Budget

Commit to tithing

Reduce & Eliminate debt

Seek godly counsel

B. Have long-range goals

Save regularly

Protect yourself with insurance

Make out a will or a living trust