Wealth Management

Introduction:

· A company ripping off a customer

· Tangentially related…but the common thread: Wealth, how we use it and what it does to us

DOES GOD HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO THAT COUPLE? TO YOU? LET’S LOOK AT TWO DANGERS THAT WEALTH PRESENTS TO US, AND HOW THE GOSPEL CHANGES THE WAY WE USE OUR MONEY.

I) Danger #1: It can blind us to what really matters (vv. 1-3) 

A. A Prophetic Word for… Who?

i. James is (likely) addressing non-Christians (vs. 1)

1. Is James addressing Christians (He says lots about wealth) (2:1-7)

2. BUT: “RICH” vs. “Brothers” =  Prophetic language to unbelievers

ii. …with a (secondary) message FOR Christians (Calvin)

1. But some are drawn to worldly ways (SEE OPENING EXAMPLE!)

2. And some of us experience disadvantages at the hands of others

B. The World Encourages Us To Hoard Earthly Treasure (vv. 2-3)

i. James Uses Jesus’ language to warn those who “hoard” Wealth

1. “moth” & “corrosion” = SOTM: “treasure on earth” (See Matt. 6:19)

Matthew 6:19 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

2. Some Live for “self, today” vs. living for eternity (vv. 3, 5)

ii. APPLICATION: How do you Define Success

1. Accumulation of wealth vs. Kingdom investment & stewardship

2. EXAMPLE: The game of life: “Millionaire Estates”

THERE’S A SECOND DANGER RELATED TO WEALTH.

II) Danger #2: It Warps Our Treatment of Others (vs. 4)

A. God’s Desire for Justice See Deut. 24)

i. God established Laws to protect the poor (

1. Is this Marxism?

2. No: “these “rich” loved self so much that they exploited the poor

ii. Exploitation violates these moral laws

1. Economic practices matter to God since it effects poor (See Deut. 24)

2. ILLUSTRATION: Moral Principles Govern Economic Practices

a. Ordering Uber Eats then cancelling;

b. A company in Medford doesn’t pay workers their tips/overtime

B. A Cry For Help and A Promise of Hope (vs. 4b)

i. A message for the oppressed: The Unpaid Wages Cry Out

1. The language of Cain & Abel: So this injustice cries out… God cares!

2. APPLICATION: You won’t get promoted because you won’t do xyz

ii. A warning for the Oppressor: The Lord of Hosts Hears (vs. 4c)

1. Lord of hosts: God as a General, a Warrior coming to make things right

2. The good news of a coming Judge: Jesus will return àRighteousness

THAT BRINGS US TO THE LAST QUESTION.

III) Kingdom Hearts Shaped By A Generous King

A. A King Who Gives It All For Us

i. Hoarding Wealth is Self-indulgent

1. Some of us are well-off & generous…some of us save a lot: GUILT?

2. EXAMPLE: Jesus tells a parable where the richest one is rewarded, the poorest punished; why?

3. Why do the moths eat the garments the rust the wealth? UNUSED!

ii. Your Wealth Reflects What You Treasure

1. Hoarding = What happens when stuff becomes your joy, security, status

2. The danger of wealth isn’t “wealth” but “treasure”

iii. Jesus Is Our Greatest Treasure

1. Jesus did not “hoard” what he had but emptied himself

2. Jesus became poor to make us truly rich

B. A New Way to Live:

i. Wealth is an opportunity to show that Jesus is our treasure

1. God gives us wealth to meet our needs

2. God gives us wealth to enjoy good gifts, with gratitude

3. God Gives us wealth that we might be generous

ii. Work is an opportunity to demonstrate Kingdom realities

1. Work is an opportunity to practice kingdom living

Transition:

Conclusion

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