Counterfeit Gods - Ch 3

Intro

Group intro -

Scripture

Hear God speak, not self help or opinions

Scripture transforms us

It is the foundation for the other two

Prayer

Us speaking back to God

Acknowledging the truth of scripture

Community

The context that scripture and prayer are effective

Not just socializing - ministering the gospel to each other

Review

Studying Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller

The topic is identifying and dealing with idols

It is good, but not required to read through the chapter and make notes and questions

Starting applications - but Keller is layering in lessons that apply to all idols

Last lesson

Love, relationships, and sex can be idols

Jacob idolized Rachel for her beauty - to the destruction of his family

Leah, the forgotten one, tried to find meaning in getting her husbands love by giving him sons

Idols always disappoint - we always wake up with Leah

We solve it not by blaming others or ourselves, we reorient our hope on our true lover

Jesus was rejected for us so that we could be accepted

Intro to this lesson

What problems does money cause?

Our society focuses on money - who has it, who doesnt

The 1%

Our last election focused around money - even though we have a had a really strong recovery

We focus on money - one of the top reasons couples fight

Greed

Greed is embedded in our culture

Keller begins with a story, but do we really doubt there is greed around us?

We see it in businesses and individuals - easy to come up with examples

Skeirelli - the guy who jacked up drug prices just was sentenced for jail

Its to the point that we almost dont notice these stories

“We should not think of it as a market trend like the rising value of waterfront property, but as something more like the sexual revolution of the 1960s—a relaxation of old strictures, a new permissiveness, but in this case the permissiveness is financial rather than sexual.” - Paul Krugman in the NYT

It is part of our culture and everyone knows it is damaging

So why dont things change?

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 50). New York: Riverhead Books.

Keller’s answer - because greed and avarice are especially hard to see in ourselves.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 51). New York: Riverhead Books.

Greed embedded in ourselves (?)

It is hidden in ourselves, we never think we are greedy

As a pastor I’ve had people come to me to confess that they struggle with almost every kind of sin. Almost. I cannot recall anyone ever coming to me and saying, “I spend too much money on myself. I think my greedy lust for money is harming my family, my soul, and people around me.” Greed hides itself from the victim. The money god’s modus operandi includes blindness to your own heart.

Have you ever recognized greed in yourself? Did you tell anyone about it?

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 52). New York: Riverhead Books.

One reason we do not see it - we compare ourselves

Once you are able to afford to live in a particular neighborhood, send your children to its schools, and participate in its social life, you will find yourself surrounded by quite a number of people who have more money than you. You don’t compare yourself to the rest of the world, you compare yourself to those in your bracket. The human heart always wants to justify itself and this is one of the easiest ways. You say, “I don’t live as well as him or her or them. My means are modest compared to theirs.” You can reason and think like that no matter how lavishly you are living.

Who are you comparing yourself to? Are you justifying yourself with these comparisons?

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (pp. 52–53). New York: Riverhead Books.

Jesus warns people far more often about greed than about sex, yet almost no one thinks they are guilty of it. Therefore we should all begin with a working hypothesis that “this could easily be a problem for me.”

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 53). New York: Riverhead Books.

The story of Zacchaeus

We are told three things about him

He was a chief tax collector

He was rich

He was vertically challenged

Tax collector

No one likes the IRS, but it was more than that.

They collected taxes for the enemy - Rome

These were oppressive

The only ones rich were Romans, and the tax collectors

The people called Zacchaeus a “sinner”, which meant apostate or outcast. If you want to get a sense of how these functionaries were regarded, think of what people thought of the collaborators who, under the Nazis, oppressed their own people during World War II; think of drug lords who get rich enslaving thousands of the weakest people of the inner city … Now you can understand the stature of tax collectors at this time.

Why would anyone do this?

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 54). New York: Riverhead Books.

The answer was money

The tax collector was allowed to set his own wages

He charged on top of the required tax

Had the force of law

Basically extortion

And he was lit. the Arch-Tax Collector

Money as a master

The context of this statement is in part of a warning against trusting in retirement savings and next to a discussion on anxiety

For Jesus, greed is not only love of money, but excessive anxiety about it.

Aka greed is not only for the rich and not only about money All kinds of greed

Dave Ramsey methods can lead someone just as easily into an idol

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 56). New York: Riverhead Books.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” That is a remarkable statement. Think of another traditional sin that the Bible warns against—adultery. Jesus doesn’t say, “Be careful you aren’t committing adultery!” He doesn’t have to. When you are in bed with someone else’s spouse—you know it. Halfway through you don’t say, “Oh, wait a minute! I think this is adultery!” You know it is. Yet, even though it is clear that the world is filled with greed and materialism, almost no one thinks it is true of them. They are in denial.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (pp. 57–58). New York: Riverhead Books.

Luke 12:15

We either serve God or money

We talked about three metaphors of idolatry - Love, Trust, & Obey

Lovers of money” are those who find themselves daydreaming and fantasizing about new ways to make money, new possessions to buy, and looking with jealousy on those who have more than they do. “Trusters of money” feel they have control of their lives and are safe and secure because of their wealth. Idolatry also makes us “servants of money.” Just as we serve earthly kings and magistrates, so we “sell our souls” to our idols. Because we look to them for our significance (love) and security (trust) we have to have them, and therefore we are driven to serve and, essentially, obey them. When Jesus says that we “serve” money, he uses a word that means the solemn, covenantal service rendered to a king.

Lovers of money” are those who find themselves daydreaming and fantasizing about new ways to make money, new possessions to buy, and looking with jealousy on those who have more than they do. “Trusters of money” feel they have control of their lives and are safe and secure because of their wealth.

Idolatry also makes us “servants of money.” Just as we serve earthly kings and magistrates, so we “sell our souls” to our idols. Because we look to them for our significance (love) and security (trust) we have to have them, and therefore we are driven to serve and, essentially, obey them. When Jesus says that we “serve” money, he uses a word that means the solemn, covenantal service rendered to a king. If

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 57). New York: Riverhead Books.

Understanding the idol of greed makes us not surprised at Zacchaeus choosing to become a tax collector

Understanding the idol of greed makes us not surprised at Zacchaeus

Grace dealing with Money

Jesus and Zacchaeus

No one let him up front, so he climbed a tree

This is significant

In traditional cultures it was not freedom and rights that mattered but honor and dignity. For any grown male to climb up into a tree would have invited enormous ridicule…(Why?)... Zacchaeus was eager to connect to Jesus. Eager may be too weak a word. His willingness to climb a tree signifies something close to desperation.

Jesus notices him and eats with him

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 59). New York: Riverhead Books.

Eating is sign of friendship

Jesus is choosing to befriend the Arch-Sinner instead of all the good jews around

His whole spiritual understanding began to change…He began to realize that God’s salvation was by grace, not through moral achievement or performance. That realization went through him like lightning, and he welcomed Jesus with joy.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (pp. 60–61). New York: Riverhead Books.

Zacchaeus response

He gives away half of what he owns and 4 times anything he extorted

The law specified 10% and 20% respectively

The joy of being saved by grace meant that he didnt look to the law for salvation

So instead of doing the bare minimum to be saved, he went beyond it

What was first - the donations or salvation?

That was the reason for Zacchaeus’s new heart and life. If salvation had been something earned through obedience to the moral code, then Zacchaeus’s question would have been “How much must I give?” However, these promises were responses to lavish, generous grace, so his question was “How much can I give?” He realized that while being financially rich, he had been spiritually bankrupt, but Jesus had poured out spiritual riches on him freely. He went from being an oppressor of the poor to being a champion of justice. He went from accruing wealth at the expense of the people around him to serving others at the expense of his wealth. Why? Jesus had replaced money as Zacchaeus’s savior, and so money went back to being merely that, just money. It was now a tool for doing good, for serving people. Now that his identity and security were rooted in Christ, he had more money than he needed. The

In response to these promises, Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this house.” Notice, he didn’t say, “If you live like this, salvation will come to this house.” No, it has come. God’s salvation does not come in response to a changed life. A changed life comes in response to the salvation, offered as a free gift... If salvation had been something earned through obedience to the moral code, then Zacchaeus’s question would have been “How much must I give?” However, these promises were responses to lavish, generous grace, so his question was “How much can I give?”… He went from accruing wealth at the expense of the people around him to serving others at the expense of his wealth. Why? Jesus had replaced money as Zacchaeus’s savior, and so money went back to being merely that, just money. It was now a tool for doing good, for serving people. Now that his identity and security were rooted in Christ, he had more money than he needed.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (pp. 63–64). New York: Riverhead Books.

Tithing

We also need to think through the standard we give our money

The OT law is 10%, but we are free from the law now so thats not a requirement… right?

I shake my head no, and they give a sigh of relief. But then I quickly add, “I’ll tell you why you don’t see the tithing requirement laid out clearly in the New Testament. Think. Have we received more of God’s revelation, truth, and grace than the Old Testament believers, or less?” Usually there is uncomfortable silence. “Are we more ‘debtors to grace’ than they were, or less? Did Jesus ‘tithe’ his life and blood to save us or did he give it all?” Tithing is a minimum standard for Christian believers. We certainly wouldn’t want to be in a position of giving away less of our income than those who had so much less of an understanding of what God did to save them.

Not going to ask you to raise your hands if you are 10% or more, but I will ask about your motivation

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 62). New York: Riverhead Books.

It is possible to give more, but it only goes to serve an idol - prestige, popularity etc

It is possible to give, but grudgingly - like a membership fee while wishing you could spend it on yourself

Deep and surface idols

Idolatry as a heart structure

We often discuss idols in singular black and white terms - greed OR lust OR family etc

But they are often woven together in a complex way - Clusters

This why fighting idols can sometimes feel like whack-a-mole or Frodo running out of the spider’s cave in LOTR

Deep Idols

These are basic motivational drives that sin has distorted and twisted into idols

Influence and power, approval and appreciation, emotional and physical comfort, security and control

Keller describes how these work: People with the deep idol of power do not mind being unpopular in order to gain influence. People who are most motivated by approval are the opposite—they will gladly lose power and control as long as everyone thinks well of them.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 64). New York: Riverhead Books.

Surface idols

These are created things through which deep idols seek fulfillment

Money, spouse, children, work, etc

Some people want lots of money as a way to control their world and life. Such people usually don’t spend much money and live very modestly. They keep it all safely saved and invested, so they can feel completely secure in the world. Others want money for access to social circles and to make themselves beautiful and attractive. These people do spend their money on themselves in lavish ways.

Interaction between

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 65). New York: Riverhead Books.

Interaction between

It makes things harder to recognize

It makes things harder to recognize

We focus on one way an idol will manifest itself

Sleeping around instead of idolizing your spouse

Counselling story - “Do you see that by not spending or giving away anything, by socking away every penny, you are being just as selfish? You are ‘spending’ absolutely everything on your need to feel secure, protected, and in control.”

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 66). New York: Riverhead Books.

Makes it easy to compare and justify yourself

Also, the connection is not always obvious - lust because you feel unimportant

It makes it harder to address

We can remove ourselves (voluntarily or involuntarily) totally from one surface idol, only for another to take its place

ex. getting frustrated at work, take it out by controlling your family

This is because the deep idol - the root - is still there

This we cannot just stop idols by power of will or by isolation

Requires three things to identify and address

Bible - sharper than a two edged sword - diving joints and marrow

Prayer - humbling your self before God asking His Spirit to show you and heal you

Community - trusting in others when they point out disconnects that they will not leave you in your mess

All three have to have a gospel focus

Seeing Christ as our treasure

Why did Paul ask them to give?

Jesus, the God-Man, had infinite wealth, but if he had held on to it, we would have died in our spiritual poverty... [But] if he died poor, we could become rich... Paul was not giving this church a mere ethical precept, exhorting them to stop loving money so much and become more generous. Rather, he recapitulated the gospel… Jesus gave up all his treasure in heaven, in order to make you his treasure... When you see him dying to make you his treasure, that will make him yours.

This is what Paul was saying. Jesus gave up all his treasure in heaven, in order to make you his treasure—for you are a treasured people (). When you see him dying to make you his treasure, that will make him yours.

What do you need to do make Christ your treasure?

Final thoughts

What breaks the power of money over us is not just redoubled effort to follow the example of Christ. Rather, it is deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ, what you have in him, and then living out the changes that that understanding makes in your heart... Faith in the gospel restructures our motivations, our self-understanding and identity, our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without a complete change of heart will be superficial and fleeting.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 67). New York: Riverhead Books.

Keller, T. (2011). Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters (p. 68). New York: Riverhead Books.

Carnegie