Balance

Intro

[Thank worship team]

Good morning Bethel Church, and good morning to our network of rural churches that are joining us live on YouTube. And if you are new here, I want to extend a special welcome to you. If you would, there are “Connect” cards in the seat in front of you. If you would fill that out there or at the Welcome Center outside of the sanctuary. We even have a free gift for you if you are new to Bethel. We would love to get in touch with you and discuss how to get connected to our church family.

Announcements:

Zach

Opening Hook: Kid’s Bible Story

The Great Scooter Fiasco of Maple Street

By the Maple Street Gazette Funnies Desk

(SLIDE 1) Last Saturday, young Timmy Thompson (age 11) made what financial experts are now calling “a bold, emotional, and highly unbudgeted decision.”

Timmy had been saving his allowance for months. Between mowing lawns, taking out trash, and returning cans (mostly his own), Timmy had accumulated a small fortune of $137.42—a sum that made him feel, in his words, “basically rich.”

Then… he saw it.

At the local Mega-Mart-O-Deals, sitting under fluorescent lights like a shiny mechanical angel, was The TurboBlaze 9000 Electric Scooter. It had racing stripes. It had LED lights. It had a sticker that said “EXTREME SPEED (probably).”

Timmy did not check his budget. Timmy did not consult his savings goals. Timmy did not remember he still owed his sister $12 for “borrowing” her headphones and breaking them.

Timmy bought the scooter.

All of it. Every. Last. Dollar.

(SLIDE 2) He rolled out of the store feeling like a champion. Neighbors waved. Birds seemed to chirp in admiration. One squirrel nodded in what Timmy believed was respect.

But reality, like compound interest, arrived quietly and then all at once.

Problem #1: The Birthday Gift

Later that afternoon, Timmy remembered it was his mom’s birthday.

He had planned to buy her a candle, a card, and maybe that fuzzy blanket she liked.

Instead, Timmy gave her a hug… and a printed picture of his scooter.

“It’s kind of a gift for both of us,” he explained.

His mom smiled the way moms smile when they are smiling but also definitely thinking about life choices.

Problem #2: The School Trip

On Monday, Timmy’s teacher announced the class field trip to the science museum. Cost: $15.

Timmy checked his wallet.

Balance:

$0.00

A receipt

One sticky candy

Regret

Timmy asked if he could pay in “future money.”

The teacher said no.

Problem #3: The Scooter Consequences

By Wednesday, Timmy realized something even worse.

The TurboBlaze 9000 required… batteries.

Special batteries.

Expensive batteries.

(SLIDE 3) Timmy stared at his motionless scooter like a cowboy staring at a horse that only runs on premium gasoline.

The scooter just sat there.

Shiny. Silent. Judging him.

Timmy’s dad walked by, looked at the scooter, and came up to talk to Timmy. He could see that Timmy knew he had messed up, but Timmy’s dad loved him and wanted to teach him.

He said, (SLIDE 4) “Son, that thing is a perfect example of why we don’t spend all our money on one thing and forget our priorities.”

Timmy nodded.

Slowly.

Like a man who had learned a lesson the hard way.

Here’s the principle, Timmy had been out of balance. He let one thing he wanted become the only thing he could afford. In short, he didn’t have a plan. Or a grown-up word, he didn’t have a budget:

“A budget tells your money where to go, so you don’t have to wonder where it went.”

(SLIDE 5) Timmy eventually saved up again—for batteries, his mom’s belated gift, and the next field trip.

The scooter still worked great.

But now, every time Timmy rides it, he swears he can hear it whisper:

“Should’ve had a plan, buddy.”

[Pray]

We all need a mentor, or the only way to learn is to learn lessons the hard way.

I’ve mentioned mentors in my life, and I can reaffirm that I would not still be in ministry if it were not for those individuals. Very often, I recall them talking about things I had no idea about. I would nod in agreement because it sounded wise, but I didn’t know why from an experiential level. It would not be until time passed and their advice came up in my head again, when I needed it, that I truly understood.

Money is this way. How can you know until you are in it? I think we all treat money like Timmy did when we are young. But Timmy was missing something that all of us must learn…

A Mentor’s Advice

Balance is a marker of financial wisdom.

As we continue our series, “the generosity factor,” we will enter into the writings of a mentor to his mentee: The apostle Paul and a young man named Timothy.

TRANS: If you are reading out of the Bibles in front of you, our passage can be found on page 1009. If you do not have a Bible, please stop by the Welcome Center and take one. It is our gift to you.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Four Areas of Balance

Household provision.

1 Timothy 5:8

Here we see Paul, the mentor, being blunt with Timothy. Paul is talking about what Godliness looks like, one example of which being the caring of widows in your family. (verse 4) This is a very specific instance, one worth mentioning because widows had no system of support outside of the family. But then Paul zooms out to talk about the household.

“If anyone” now this is not just about families with specific circumstances, (i.e. needing to care for their widows) but everyone. “If anyone” does not care for the members of his household, what does Paul say? “He has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This seems not just blunt, but harsh. What is Paul doing?

Paul is drawing a comparison, much like in his rebuke of the corinthian church for a sexually perverse situation happening under their nose but no one saying about it (1 Cor. 5:1). In that verse, Paul says, this kind of thing is not even tolerated by the pagans! This is meant to be a wake up call. The early church were, rightly so, often disgusted by the Greek and Roman ways of life. Paul’s words would have pointed the finger back around to them. “You know how your stomach turns when you think about the world and it’s ways? You’re doing something worse.” This was meant to be a WAKE UP CALL.

One New Testament scholar notes:

Even pagans believed in supporting destitute widows who were relatives; it was believed that one owed support to one’s aged parents (cf. comment on 5:4).1

1 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 611.

Paul says if they do not provide for their household they are worse than an unbeliever, but I think worse than that, he says they have “denied the faith.” Paul is saying this, “you say you follow Christ, yet your actions say otherwise.” To “deny” here, that same word can be translated, “Disown,” “Repudiate,” or “disregard.” Christians debate about if this means here that you’ve lost your salvation, or if Paul is merely commenting on a lack of integrity (your so-called beliefs and your actions do not match). But the bottom line is that there is dissonance between faith and lack of provision.

The mentor, Paul, instructs Timothy to provide for the immediate area of life that he has been given: his household. This responsibility of provision is as much about faith and stewardship is it is about money.

TRANS: But Paul then gives more advice, and here we see the secret to our attitude.

1 Timothy 6:6–10 ESV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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.

Contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Enough is an attitude, not an amount.

Be liberated from the master of money by going on a missions trip. Experience how others are so content with so little.

Illustration

In the 20s, Rockefeller owned an estimated 1% of the US economy.

When asked, “how much is enough?”

Rockefeller’s answer: “just a little bit more.”

Contentment protects us from the trap of greed.

Greed grasps, contentment is generous.

Money

1 Timothy 6:6–10

(POSB : Note 2)

If someone offered you a sack of gold, would you take it? Before you answer too quickly, listen to this story and then give your answer.

“The voyage home to Spain has been a long time coming, but after a very successful gold strike in the New World, it is time to cash in on our good fortune,” thought Carlos, the ship’s captain, as he relaxed on the deck of his ship. Sitting there, Carlos imagined what he would do with his share of the treasure. But then off in the distance he saw dark clouds rising over the horizon.

Carlos and his crew had made the trans-Atlantic trip several times and were considered to be sea-worthy sailors. But this time, they sailed into the storm of the century. They had never seen waves like the ones that rocked their ship back and forth. As the water flooded the hold, Carlos gave the order to throw everything of significant weight overboard.

With hearts heavier than their gold fortune, they began to throw bags of gold overboard. It was to no avail. The ship continued to sink. The captain ordered the men to lower lifeboats and to abandon the ship. During all of the confusion, one of the sailors took a bag of gold and stuffed it in his shirt. “Those poor suckers. They’ve lost everything,” he thought to himself.

Yet as he stepped into the lifeboat, he was thrown off balance and fell into the angry sea. “Swim to us!” shouted his shipmates. But the weight of the gold pulled the man under, never to be seen again. The sailor’s greed formed his grave, one that showed no respect for the material possessions.

Is the love of the world dragging you down? Let it go. Let the Savior rescue you before it is too late.1

POSB The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible

1 Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 85.

Financial choices from jealousy vs financial choices from contentment.

When we intermix jealousy into financial choices, it is difficult to discern what is a *want* and what is a *need.* All wants seem like needs when we are driven by jealousy.

Broken Suitcase Through Denver Airport Story

“Our hearts are jealousy factories.”

I wanted a new suitcase, but the truth is, I didn’t need one until the wheel was not just making noise but broken (and eventually it did).

Paul says in 1 timothy 6:8,

English Standard Version Chapter 6

8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

One pastor added, “and if you’re not content with this, you will never be.”

Contentment is the fruit of gratitude. When your heart is filled with gratitude for what you have, contentment follows. And you are able to better make financial decisions as a result.

TRANS: But there’s an area of balance that is often not talked about in Church, and I suspect some of you may be feeling guilty over my “want” and “need” distinction. But Paul is not done:

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:17

Did you know that God gives us gifts because he wants us to enjoy them? Did you know that a Godly use of money, when kept in balance, is enjoyment?

Paul is instructing “don’t be haughty” meaning, don’t look down on others. AND, don’t set your hope in riches, because riches are unstable. It’s like saying, “don’t put your hope in the stock market,” because that fluctuates depending on the day.

But when you set your hope in God, you are able to enjoy his gifts.

Ii think many of us have a longing to see the world. Not because we are a travel influencer on instagram, although maybe some of you are. But because we want to see what God made.

Is it wrong to use money to go enjoy God’s creation? No. Not every penny needs to go in one direction, remember we are talking about balance. But I recall when Jesus was visiting Mary and Martha’s house in John 12, and Mary uses precious perfume to wash Jesus’ feet. Who was it that said, “MY GOODNESS, LET’S USE THAT FOR THE POOR!” But Jesus instructed, no, she’s worshipping me. This is right. Mary was using what she had to enjoy a moment with her savior.

The question of enjoyment is not if enjoyment itself is sin, but where excess lies. The Lord will help you to enjoy what he’s given you, and show you when other priorities must be considered as well.

TRANS: But the mentor, Paul, gives one final instruction, and he hits on what we have been discussing through our series:

1 Timothy 6:18–19 ESV

18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Generosity.

1 Timothy 6:18-19

Paul is making a clear application: if you are “rich” make sure you are also rich in good works. This is the point. Store up treasures in the right place (heaven), because that is what will really make an impact.

Before you say, “well I’m not rich.” But you have *something.* Everybody does. We might be rich in time, we might be rich in talent, or rich in treasure. The question is, what has God given you that you can use for Him? To be “rich in good works?”

Illustrating the Text

There is no question that God allows certain believers to become materially rich. However, it is never for their gain; it is always for the gain of His Kingdom. Here is an inspiring example of channeling God’s resources to do God’s work.

Mr. Wilson was a successful businessman in the orange juice business. He was on the cutting edge of the production, shipping, and marketing of his product. In fact, he was so successful that he became a dominant player in the juice industry.

From humble beginnings, he became a very rich man. Mr. Wilson was never one to count his money except for the purpose of giving to the work of God. He tithed and gave huge sums to help meet the ministry and building needs of his church. In addition, he was led by the Lord to become involved in financing a Bible college. He helped the college build its buildings, but he also did something that every student at the Bible college appreciated: provided free orange juice for breakfast through his company.

When Mr. Wilson visited the campus, he had breakfast in the cafeteria that he had provided, had a glass of juice that he had paid for, sat with a student body that he had provided with scholarships; but he was never recognized by anyone. But for Mr. Wilson, that was acceptable. Recognition was not his motivation. He gave because God had gripped his heart. He gave out of thanksgiving for God’s salvation. And because God saved him, Mr. Wilson invested in the lives of people, people who would take the gospel, the good news, to the nations of the earth.

No matter how much or how little you have, are you using God’s blessings to further God’s Kingdom or your own?1

1 Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 85–86.

TRANS: The mentor, Paul, tells Timothy to be mindful of four areas of Balance: Household provision, contentment, enjoyment, and generosity. What we have, our time talent and treasure, come from God. It is our job to steward them well. But how do we do that? I want to offer two ideas on *how* we can grow better balanced and faithful.

Application

Balance requires a plan and a system.

Every dollar is a vote for something you value. Have you ever articulated what you want? What goals you have?

Urgency & Margin

Urgency leads to poor decisions, margin leads to wise decisions. 

Proverbs 21:5 ESV

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Luke 14:28 ESV

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Take some time to write out your plans and offer them to the Lord.

“What do I want?”

“Where am I out of balance?”

“What can I do to fix that?”

Want to go on a vacation? Write it down.

Want to cut on gas station snacks so you can afford better groceries? Write it down.

Want to start giving to the church or another charitable organization? Write it down.

Writing it down in terms of 3 month goals, year goals, and long-term goals. If you are married, do this together. If you are engaged, get on the same page about your financial priorities.

We do not rise to the loftiness of our goals, we fall to the effectiveness of our systems. (repeat)

By “systems” i could be referring to:

Software

A spreadsheet

Habits

Software (a finance app)

Automatic transfers

A “trigger” that alerts you to being out of money in a category

If you forget to be generous, set up automatic giving online.

Story of Clint and Bre fighting over the harvest steak dinner.

Dave Ramsey Plug

If you do not have a system, if even that word is foreign to you, sign up for the Dave Ramsey financial peace university course. Rather than trying to create a system from scratch (and frankly you don’t know where to start), use a proven system and then make it your own later. If the $70 to take the course is too much, talk to me. We can work something out.

TRANS: Plans and systems, but I want to give you a nugget of an idea that will keep you in balance as your financial situation changes.

Before you increase your standard of living, increase your standard of giving.

This principle is about ordering priorities, not suppressing enjoyment or advancement. Scripture consistently warns that as income increases, temptation increases alongside it—especially the temptation to quietly shift trust from God to comfort. By choosing to raise generosity first, believers build a spiritual guardrail that keeps money from becoming a functional savior.

It is good to have the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money can’t buy.

Warren W. Wiersbe

This is not a command to remain stagnant or guilty about success. Rather, it is an intentional decision to let generosity grow at the same pace—or faster—than lifestyle. Over time, this posture trains the heart to see money as a tool for faithfulness and worship, not self-indulgence.

Communion

We must remember the gospel as we consider generosity. We are generous because God was first generous with us.

Paul summarizes the gospel in Romans 5:8-9

Romans 5:8–9 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

For this we take communion. To remember the greatest need that Jesus meets: hope for our souls.

We practice “open communion”

Invite ushers forward.

Invite congregation to reflect on who God is an how much He has done for us.

SING

Jesus said starting in Matthew 26:26

Matthew 26:26–28 ESV

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Pray

Conclusion : [text]

Pray

Talk About It/Think About It

Why do you think Scripture connects wisdom—not income level—to financial health?

Why do you think Paul believes provision for one’s family is so important?

What are some subtle ways the love of money can creep into a believer’s life?

Why is it important to recognize that God gives things for our enjoyment?

In what ways does generosity store up “treasure” that money itself cannot provide?

Why do good intentions alone often fail to produce financial balance?

What is one simple system that could help bring clarity or peace to your finances?

How might increasing generosity before lifestyle upgrades protect our hearts?