Wisdom for Our Wallet

Introduction

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· (“Money, Money, Money” song)

· (Trust video)

Need

Money is a part of everyday life. There aren’t too many days that go by that we don’t have to at least think about it, use it, or show up to a job and earn it. You can’t underestimate the power of money in life. It can buy you a lot of great things—possessions and experiences—from a new set of golf clubs We all have to “deal” with money. It’s a part of life. It’s economy. We buy and sell in this life. There’s no way around it! Money makes the world go around. From stock markets and sports programs to social security and inheritance we are all share a common connection with money.

It’s easy to see how “money” could easily become God in our life. That’s why it’s another great opportunity for all of us get God’s perspective and instruction regarding money.

Money is often the number one stressor in a marriage. At the source of great marital conflict is cash. Money is often seen as the key to happiness. And while money has brought me temporary happiness it never really satisfies. Benjamin Franklin once said “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and triples that want another way.” Money has led people to lie, cheat, steal, and kill. It’s a powerful motivator and influence. Money led the Enron scandal and people go bankrupt everyday. There has got to be a better way to live? What’s your attitude towards money? Have you ever struggled to make ends meet? Would you like to discover truth about money?

Preview

Today is the second week of a new six-week series from the book of Proverbs—God’s wisdom book—which is designed to help us glean God’s wisdom in several key areas of our lives. Last week it was God’s wisdom for your Words. Here in week two it’s “Wisdom for Your Wallet.” I’m not trying to be sexist by going with “Wisdom for our Wallet” – it just flows better than “Wisdom for our Purses” is more applicable than “Wisdom for our Checkbook” (does anyone carry those anymore) so we could have gone with “Wisdom for Our Debit Cards.” God’s Word is so practical. Today we are going to take some time to discover God’s wisdom for your wallet. God’s Words has a lot to say about money. The book of Proverbs is chock full of wisdom principles about our finances. What better source for financial counsel and guidelines that Gods’ Word?! Today we’re going to look at five principles—five guidelines—that God gives us regarding our perspective and use of money so that we can live a life of wisdom. Are you ready?!

A) God’s Wisdom for Our Wallet

Today is week three of our four week mini-series from Proverbs. Proverbs gives us divine wisdom for daily living. In week one we discovered “Wisdom for our Word”—addressing the use of our tongue and call to speak words that are timely, appropriate, life-giving, and kept in check. Last week Pastor Jake walked us through “Wisdom for our Pride” – highlighting God’s response to our pride and the devastating consequences of our pride. Today we return to the Proverbs to discover “Wisdom for our Wallet” – wisdom principles that guide us in the realm of our finances (money). Next week we’ll finish up with “Wisdom for our Plans.”

Before we uncover “Wisdom for Your Wallet” from want to begin with a disclaimers. First, money is not bad - Wealth is not inherently evil. Often a verse in the NT gets misquoted—“money is the root of all evil”—but it actually says “the love of money is the root of all evil.” You cannot serve God and money—only one of those is worthy of our affections and trust. Money can only be used for good or bad—wealth can have a positive or negative impact on our lives (generosity or misplaced trust)—thus the need for God’s wisdom in this vital and practical areas of our lives. I like having money, how about you? I like to have money in my wallet (“wad of cash”). I like to be able to buy things for myself (books, shoes, music, food, and trips). God’s Word doesn’t say that it’s sinful for have money—wealth is not a sin—and if you’ve been blessed financially with a little or a lot praise God.

Second, our money falls into the category of stewardship. Stewardship is the task of faithfully managing (caring for) all that has been entrusted to you by God. Everything you have is from God. Everything you have from God must be managed for His glory. God has entrusted to you people, possessions, and pennies to manage. You have time, treasures, and talents entrusted to you from God to steward well. The money in your bank right now (lack thereof) is a gift from God—I know the American Way is to say that you “earned it” and while that’s true, the life you have and the energy you exerted to earn it came from God.

Finally, any talk of money must include the call for contentment. Godly contentment—being content with a little or a lot is possible—you might find this hard to believe but the declaration “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” is not exclusively for athletic competitions or posters at the gym. Paul’s declaration about “doing all things through Christ who gives him strength” is about the strength needed to be content whether we have a lot or a little. We need Christ’s strength for both—it’s hard to be content with a lot (we want more) and it’s hard to be content when we lack (we need more). I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, including being content with less or more. Let’s dig in—discovering five wisdom principles for our wallets.

1) The “Almighty Dollar” cannot save you ()

Take your Bible and turn to . . . says “wealth is worthless on the day of wrath but righteousness delivers from death.” We find a contrast between “wealth” and “righteousness” (antithetical).

4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death. [1]

What do we discover about “wealth” in the first half of the Proverb? “Wealth” (riches) gained illicitly (oppression or injustice) or honestly is worthless in the day of wrath—the money you have in the bank and the possessions are of no value in the day of wrath (fierce anger and displeasure)—riches have no value on the day God’s fury overflows in judgment. reveals that God’s wrath “sweeps over” everything. We see examples of God’s wrath overflowing in judgment against sin.

· Opened up the earth and swallowed up people (Exodus)

· Ananias & Sapphira lied about giving money (Acts)

· Judgment Day to come ()

Your net worth is worthless when God’s judgment comes your way. Riches have no value on the day of wrath. On “Judgment Day” no one will be able to get out their check card and say “This will cover it.” When God’s wrath comes, money is worthless!

In the second half of the Proverb we find what will save. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath but “righteousness delivers from death.” Righteousness, not riches, can save from death. As a general principle this Proverb declares that living a godly life (straight living), living according to an ethical and moral standard in accordance with God’s will, living a righteous life will add years to your life and keep you from catastrophes and calamities that will strike you down to death. We see this principle expressed in other Proverbs—”If you live godly life you will see length of days” (). Remember it’s a principle not a promise. If you live life as God has set out you will find that you will generally live a longer, happier life!

And yet there is a deeper truth here related to righteousness’ ability to save from death. Righteousness, not riches, can deliver us from death. Righteousness will profit on the day of divine wrath—it will rescue on the day of God’s judgment—delivering us from eternal separation from God. The righteousness that delivers from death is not our righteousness but Christ’s righteousness credited to our account. Our righteousness is like “filthy rags” but by faith we can have Christ’s righteousness—for “He made Him who knew know sin to become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God” (1 Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness can’t be bought or earned but obtained through faith in Jesus’ finished work in the Cross. The righteousness of Christ credited to us can deliver us from divine judgment & death.

Application

In we discover Wisdom Principle #1: The “almighty dollar” can’t save us from divine judgment & death.” The “Almighty Dollar” cannot save you from divine judgment and death.

We can talk about what money can and can’t do in this life. Money has the power to do a lot of things in this life. Money has purchasing power—you can buy a car, a boat, a house, a tractor, a new pair of shoes, a good meal, a plane ticket to the Bahamas—money can buy people’s silence or support behind close doors in corporations or governments. Money can purchase services that give you more freedom (lawncare – snow removal – delivery charge for furniture). Money can enable you to spend time with your family (pay to visit your loved ones). Money can be used to bless others (buy them gifts or provide for their needs). Money can give you status (Warren Buffet – wealthiest men in the world). Money can give you also give you heartache (anxiety and discontentment). Money can be left to your family as an inheritance.

Money cannot save you. Your wealth is worthless in matters of eternity—you can’t purchase a ticket to heaven—on your deathbed you won’t be able to purchase “ten more” years or another life on earth. Money has no value to save us from God’s wrath against sin. Money can’t buy off God. Your net worth cannot secure your eternal destiny. Salvation come from God alone. Jesus alone can save you.

· - “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven among men by which we must be saved.”

· - “just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await Him He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.”

Jesus paid the price to rescue sinners (us) from the wrath of God and save us from the power of death forever—Jesus bore God’s wrath for sin on the cross and took upon our sin—and anyone who trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins, reconciled to God, and guaranteed of abundant, eternal life. Jesus, the spotless lamb of God became the perfect sacrifice for sin in full. Jesus, the One who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God—by faith His righteousness can be credited to our account by which we can be declared righteous before God by His sacrifice—and in Him there is salvation from judgment and death.

Have you put your faith in Him? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ to save you from God’s wrath and eternal separation from Him? Jesus is the “way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the narrow road that leads to life. Your net worth has no value in the realm of eternity. Don’t trust in your money to save you. Trust in Christ today.

2) Money fails to provide true security in life ()

Let’s continue our search for “Wisdom for Our Wallets” – gaining divine wisdom in regards to money. Turn to . . . (Read)

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.

11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;

they imagine it an unscalable wall. [2]

are two Proverbs linked together by a common theme. The Proverbs highlights the place of “true” and “false” security in life.

says “the name of the Lord is a strong tower”—Yahweh is declared to be a place of refuge and protection—the covenant-keeping God is a strong tower where the righteous can run to for safety. Yahweh Himself is declared to be a fortified tower, a tall storehouse in the city or countryside that was so sturdy, immovable, and solid that people could go there for shelter (protection and safety) when attacked by an enemy. The righteous “run” (quickly & decisively moving) to Yahweh and are “set on high” as if they ran to find safety in the refuge of an elevated tower that cannot be penetrated—completely protected and secure from the siege of the enemy. The righteous run to Yahweh for safety from all harm.

Note the stark contrast between the righteous and the rich in . The righteous run to Yahweh as a strong tower but the righteous run to their wealth as their fortified city. The rich see the abundance of money and possessions as their fortified city, they look to their wealth to be their place of refuge, they run to their wealth like it’s an “elevated city” where they could find safety from all harm. The rich “imagine” their wealth to be a an unscalable wall.” The rich think their wealth as a wall that no one can break through or climb over—they imagine their money will protect them from all harm like an unscalable wall that surrounded an elevated city. And yet this is simply a figment of their imagination—the protection is only in their mind—they have “concocted up idols in their mind” they think will give the refuge and safety. The rich look (run – trust) to their wealth to provide protection from all harm.Such thinking (imagination) about money is a day-dream, it’s a fairy tale, it’s a farce! Money cannot be trusted to protect us from all harm.

Application

In we discover Wisdom Principle #2: “Money Fails to Provide True Security in Life.” “Money fails to provide real security in life.”

Once again, money can do a lot of things for us in life but it fails to provide real security in this life. We’re all tempted to run to money for satisfaction and security. Money presents the illusion of great security. We think money can provide protection from the suffering and hardship of life. We “imagine” (think) it can provide true security in this life but in the end it’s a farce. Money cannot protect your from losing your job, money can’t protect you from painful or terminal illness (loss), money cannot guarantee your safety (buy a bike helmet but can’t protect me from getting hit by a car), money can’t protect me from the pain and inevitability of death. Money cannot give us true security because it’s temporary. Money is here today and gone tomorrow.

· says “Do not wear yourself out to get rich. Have wisdom and show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Don’t waste your energy running to money for security. Money will give you a false sense of security. Money is fleeting. The security of money is temporary. Money fails to provide true security that will last. Are you running to money for security? Are you trusting in your wealthy to provide shelter? Money is a false-sense of security. Some of you are saying, “are you crazy? I can’t trust in money as security because I don’t have any.” Well, that might be true. But you might be spending a great deal of energy chasing after money because you think it will bring you the security you need. Stop running to money for shelter and start running to the living God. Don’t put your confidence in money as a source of security.

· – “Don’t be conceited and fix your hope on the uncertainty of riches but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy”

True security is found in God and God alone. If you want real security, it’s found in the Lord. The Lord offers true security—He is our refuge—we can run to Him for safety, protection, and shelter who is your safe retreat in the face of suffering and harm. The Lord is your “safe retreat” – in Him you will find true security that lasts because He is eternal. He is the true source of shelter and protection.

3) Integrity is greater than prosperity ()

Let’s continue our search for “Wisdom for our Wallet.” Turn to . . .

6Better a poor man whose walk is blameless

than a rich man whose ways are perverse. [3]

reveals that “integrity” is superior to “wealth.” We see the superiority of one over the other in he “better than” statement that are sprinkled throughout the book of Proverbs. We have a description of two people in this Proverb.

First, we find “a poor person whose walk is blameless”—this describes someone who lacks the essentials of life (food, water, clothes, and shelter)—and yet lives an upright life of moral goodness (a life that is ethically sound). The Proverbs depicts a poor person who lives a life of integrity—not a perfect life but one marked by moral wholeness ethical uprightness—a life marked by doing what is right and in accord with truth.

Secondly, we find a description of a “rich man whose ways are perverse.” The description denotes a a wealthy person—one who has an abundance of money and possessions (think Warren Buffet)—whose ways are described as perverse.” The phrase “ways are perverse” has been understood by some as “duplicitous” or double-dealing, using deceitful ways to gain their wealth—and yet the term emphasizes the “twistedness” or “crookedness” of one’s life. The rich man’s life is marked by twisted and perverted acts of sin.

The Proverb states that it’s better to be a poor person whose life is marked by ethical wholeness than to be a rich person who lives a life of moral crookedness. Divine wisdom says it’s far superior to be a poor person who lives a life of integrity than a rich person who lives a life of perversity. It’s better to be destitute but possess integrity than to be rich and live a morally corrupt life.

Application

In we find Wisdom Principle #3: Moral integrity is greater than financial prosperity. Moral integrity is greater than financial prosperity.

In God’s economy, it’s far superior to be a poor person who lives a godly life than to be a rich person who lacks upright living. It’s better to be a poor person with godly integrity than a rich person who lives a life of perversity. Godly character and conduct are far greater than wealth.

I hope we will believe and embrace this wisdom principle this morning—it’s countercultural—it’s upside-down Kingdom living in a world that puts so much value on wealth and all to often celebrates ungodly living. Followers of Jesus must embrace God’s economy, seeing integrity as more valuable than wealth, and seeing godliness as far superior to a life of perversity.

Wisdom calls you to examine your priorities this morning? What’s more important to you, godly character and conduct or cash? Are you more interested in having money or living a life of integrity? Is your life going to be defined by your wealth you’re your walk with God?

It’s better to be poor person living a godly life than to be a rich person living an ungodly life. The wisdom principle will impact what the choices you make each day. This wisdom principle will keep your priorities straight. Godly character and conduct are far greater than wealth. Let’s be men and women whose lives are marked by godly integrity. Pursue a life of godly character and conduct over cash. Young men and women, don’t buy into the lie that cash is better than godly character and conduct. Grow in godliness. Develop your character by spending time in the Word, surrounding yourself with godly influences who will mold and shape you, and ask God to give you a heart that values godliness over gaining wealth. Be a godly man or godly woman of great character. Do you want to test yourself in this area?

4) Debt enslaves you ()

Let’s press on to Wisdom Principle #4 for our “wallets.” Take your Bible and turn to . . .

7 The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is servant to the lender. [4]

The Proverbs begins with a statement about the (synonymous) relationship between the “rich” and the “poor.” The “rich” rule over the “poor.” The term “rule” denotes “dominion” and “reign”—it highlights the “supremacy” of the rich over the poor—it denotes the rich being “lords” over the poor. Is this always true? I know a few people I would consider “rich” and I’ve never seen them “ruling over” the poor. How should we understand this statement? We must see this Proverb in its cultural setting and in its context. Notice the synonymous nature of the Proverb. The first half of the Proverb is explained through a synonymous parallel in the second half of the Proverb.

The synonymous nature of the Proverb reveals the “rich” were the “lenders” to the “poor borrowers.” The “rich” become “lords over” the poor by loaning them money accompanied by interest—as a result the poor borrowers became servants to the rich lenders—and many times the rich were taking advantage of the poor through oppressive loans with enslaving interests to make a larger profit. Borrowing was a common practice in the OT culture and God had given His people guidelines to protect the innocent (poor). The Law prohibited this type of injustice and oppression by forbidding the practice of charging interest to the poor (, , ). Instead of caring for the poor, they were taking advantage of the poor by taking their daily essentials like sandals and cloak as interest. Motivated by greed the rich would lend the poor money to get richer, all the while sending the poor deeper into poverty. We’ve seen this condemned in our Wednesday night study through Amos. Charging interest on the loan was an act of greed (have enough) and enslaved the borrower to the lender. The declaration of becoming a “servant” to the lender in extreme cases meant they had to sell themselves or their children into slavery to the lender in order to pay off their debt (, , ). If not literal slavery, the Proverb reveals the “master/servant” relationship that exists between a borrower and lender. The poor borrower will be under the “rule” (power & authority) of the rich lender until the debt is repaid in full.

Application

In we discover Wisdom Principle #4: Debt enslaves you. Debt enslaves you. Even though this Proverb highlights the cultural practices of the ANE that don’t fit our modern context, we don’t borrow money from the rich who oppress us, and yet the general principles about debt applies to our lives in the 21st century. When we borrow money from a family member, friend, or a bank, we are in servitude to them until the loan is paid in full. Our lenders “own” us (the house) until the debt is paid off. We’re in bondage to the “monthly payment” of debt. We are enslaved by debt until the pay-off.

God’s Word gives us wisdom regarding debt. This principle of wisdom calls you to consider the danger of debt in your life and to assess how much materialism has taken over your life! We live in a society that thrives on “buy it now” mentality. It’s far to easy to get the “stuff” we want by going into debt. This is a very dangerous way to live. Credit card companies love to send young people offers in the mail in order to lure them into this “buy now - pay later” mentality. It’s all about instant gratification. Borrowing money will make you a slave to that debt. God’s wisdom gives us an opportunity to think critically about debt. Wisdom reveals that debt will enslave you.

· “Debt is debilitating and demoralizing. No one can live the happy life, prosperous life Proverbs recommends in that condition” (NAC).

Therefore you should avoid as much debt as possible and get out of debt as soon as possible. While the Scriptures do not teach that debt is an outright sin, the principles in God’s Word reveals the danger of debt and discourages living life with unpaid debts. Financial experts and biblical counselors suggest there is “good debt” and “bad debt.”

· Crown Financial Ministries suggest that there are three main permissible debts: A home mortgage, business debt, and education debt since they will be able to be paid off. These three types of debt must meet the right criteria—the item purchased provides income, the value of the item exceeds the amount borrowed against it, and debt is not so high it strains budget.

Be wise in regards to debt. If you are in deep debt today—it’s a great concern—I would offer you this pastoral counsel.

· Pray! Ask God to give you wisdom and resources to get out of debt.

· Do some plastic surgery! – Cut up high interest credit cards that are killing you.

· Start a budget and stay on a budget – one that will help you control your spending and pay off debt as soon as possible.

· See a financial counselor you can trust

· Get your hands on good financial resources – Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace” or “Total Money Make Over– Crown Financial’s “God’s Way of Handling Money.”

Debt enslaves you. Guard your life from the temptation to go into unnecessary and unwise debt. Get our of debt as quickly as possible.

5) Giving is an act of worship ()

We come to the fifth and final wisdom principle for our wallets. Turn to . . . .

9Honor the Lord with your wealth, [5] with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. [6]

begins with a command—Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops”—the command highlights that we can “honor” the Lord with our money. There is wisdom in “honoring the Lord with your wealth”—the term “honor” means “to be heavy or weighty”—and used figuratively here it speaks of using your wealth to “esteem Yahweh as One having high value and declaring Him to have weight or prominence. The “honoring” of the Lord with wealth speaks of giving Him the rightful place of prominence and authority through your wealth. The Israelites were instructed to honor (worship) God by giving their tithes and offerings. There were various “offerings” outline in Leviticus but here in Proverbs the focus is on the “first-fruit” offering.

· First-Fruit Offering: The first-fruit offering (, , & ) refer to giving the choicest or best fruit of the crop as an offering to the Lord. The “best” or “choice” fruits of the crop would be presented to the priests to use as an sacrificial offering. This was no small matter, it was costly, for they were giving up a significant portion of their wealth (income). The first-fruits offering of their crops was given to remember God’s deliverance from Egypt and His provision of land. Their act of giving the first-fruits demonstrated that Yahweh was first in their lives and they trusted in Him to provide all they need.

· Tithe: I trust many of you are more familiar with the giving of a tithe. Leviticus & Deuteronomy outline the theology of the tithe. The people of Israel were instructed to give tithes to the Lord—tithe means “a tenth”—a tenth of their crops and flocks (wealth) was given to the Lord as an act of worship. The tithe was practiced before the giving of the Law ( & 28:20-27) so Leviticus and Deuteronomy formalized the practice for the people of Israel. The people of Israel had three tithes: a general tithe (), the tithe of a sacred meal with the Levite (), and a tithe every third year to be used to care for the poor (). The general tithe was giving a tenth of their crops and animals to support the priests who used these offerings as worship sacrifices to God and to care for those in need. Obviously giving 10 percent to the Lord was costly—demonstrating their trust in the Lord as the One who provides all things—and an act of worship that esteemed the Lord as the One who deserves all honor and prominence in their lives.

The Proverb presents the wisdom of honoring the Lord with one’s wealth. The Proverb highlights the wisdom of using one’s wealth in a way the “esteems” the Lord and demonstrates one’s love for Him and trust in Him. Thus the practice of “honoring” the Lord with one’s wealth was an act of worship.

The second half of the Proverb highlights the “results” or the “consequence” of honoring the Lord with one’s wealth. The honoring of the Lord with one’s wealth will lead to great blessing. Notice to the consequence of worshipping the Lord with one’s wealth—“your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine”—the Proverbs paints a picture of prosperity for the one who worships the Lord with his wealth.

The farmers in the ANE planted various crops—legumes, spice plants, vegetables, and grains—barley was harvested in early April, wheat in late May, and grapes and other fruit at the end of September. The harvest would be stored in jars or bulk, placed in underground pits and aboveground large storehouses. The wine in the ANE was made from a winepress hewn out of a rock, more wine was produced as grapes were trampled, and the wine would collect in lower vats (tubs or pools hewn out of the rock). The Proverb highlights and abundant harvest and production of new wine (first drippings would be the choice/best wine). The storehouses would be overflowing with produce and the choice wine will overflow one rock tub (brim over) into multiple rock tubs of choice wine. The yield is so great the storehouses are packed full to overflowing and the best wine overflowing into multiple storage containers. The Proverb depicts Yahweh’s abundant blessing of the true worshiper—He will sustain the life those who honor Him with their wealth—the Lord would reward the true worshipper with abundant provisions ().

With that we must remember two important aspects of interpreting this Proverbs. First, it’s set in the context of the Old Covenant which declared “blessing for obedience” and “curses for disobedience. Secondly, remember the Proverbs are general principles and not divine promises. Giving to God doesn’t guarantee you’ll get rich, that’s not the point of the wisdom principle in the first place, for one’s motive for giving must be worship and not personal profit. If you’re giving to get blessing from God you’ve missed the point of the Proverb. The Proverbs declares it’s wise to worship God with your wealth—the act of submitting your wealth to the Lord reveals His prominence in your life and your trust in Him and not your money—and ultimately reminds us any prosperity we have is a gift from Him.

Application

We come to the fifth and final wisdom principle for our wallets. Principle #5: Giving to God is an act of worship. Giving to God is an act of worship. The OT highlights the practice of giving to the Lord as an act of worship. In the OT this act of worship is marked by the giving of tithes and offerings God’s people under the Old Covenant set aside substantial portions of their income in obedience to God as an act of worship. The tithes and offerings (grain & livestock) given were used as “fragrant” offerings to worship Him and provided for the priests who served the people. In the NT we see sacrificial giving as an act of worship as well. The faithful Jews in Jesus’ day gave their money at the temple as an act of worship.

We don’t live in the ANE culture and under the Old Covenant where the “tithes and offerings” of grain & animals were given as part of the sacrificial system. Yet the principle of giving remains the same for us as New Covenant believers.. Giving to God is an act of worship—one way to set Him as prominent in our life and demonstrate our trust in Him for everything we have—so honoring God with our finances is an important aspect of the Christians life.

· Martin Luther: “There are three conversions in life…”

Has your wallet/purse been converted to the cause of Christ? Are you honoring God with your finances? Do you set aside a portion of your income to give to God? Often we surrender over different areas of our lives to the Lord—you can have my time (I’ll go to church) but you can’t have my treasure (My money is mine to keep). The OT practice of tithing (giving ten percent of income to God) is a great guide for our giving. And yet I don’t want you to think that 10% is God’s and 90% is yours, for 100% of everything we have is from God and entrusted to us to steward for His glory and the advancement of the gospel.

The NT calls us to a life of stewardship—managing all that has entrusted to us for His glory—surrendering to Him our time, talents, and treasure. Stewardship of our money reveals our priorities. The NT calls us to steward are money for His glory and the advancement of the gospel. Each week we pass the bags to take up an offering. Why? We don’t give because needs our money. We give to honor Him, to acknowledge that all we have comes from Him, and to demonstrate our trust in Him and not our money. The money given each week is used to support the work of ministry of the local church—the money you give is used to cover the practical expense of the ministry (salaries, electricity, chairs, dishwashers, books, colors, and more)—the money is invested in those things that help us fulfill disciple-making mission. Our earthly wealth can be given back to God to make an eternal impact in the lives of others.

The NT calls us to “excel in the grace of giving.” Take your Bible and turn to . . Listen to the charge in . What does excelling in the grace of giving look like? give us a guidance in the area of giving as faithful stewards of all He has given to us.

Give personally (8:5) – first give yourself to the Lord and from that surrender will come the stewardship of your finances. Giving yourself to the Lord is the first step of faithful stewardship—give Him yourself-and from that surrender will come the giving of your finances.

· Give sacrificially (8:1-3) – Often we think we can’t afford to give because we don’t have very much money. We think the rich can give because they have enough money to give. And while each of us have different levels of income, God calls us to give from what we have as opposed to what we don’t have (8:12). Consider the example of the Macedonian believers (8:1-4). The Macedonian believers embraced this principle for their giving – out the the depths of their poverty and great trial they gave to help support the needs of the church – they pleaded to give even though they didn’t have much to give. The poor widow () is another example of sacrificial giving. Many people gave large sums of money but when this widow who had very little came and put in small among Jesus said “she gave more than the others”—not because she gave a larger amount but because her gift was more costly (sacrificial)—she gave all she had to give. You can give from what you have even if you don’t have a lot. The amount of your income isn’t the issue—for some of you giving $25 dollars a week is a sacrificial act of worship and God is honored by your act of worship—for some of you giving $25 is far from sacrifice because you could give more from what you have.

· Give willingly (8:4 & 9:7) – Notice the Macedonians pleaded to give, they were not guilt-tripped into giving, they wanted to voluntarily give their resources to bless the ministry of the church. In we are called to give what you have decided to give without reluctance or compulsion. You are free to give without someone “twisting your arm” or forcing you to give a certain amount. If you have a hard time peeling your fingers off of your money—struggling to give it away and striving to keep more for yourself—money may have too much of a grip on your heart. You cannot serve both God and money.

Give generously (9:6) – In we find the call to give generously. Don’t be stingy, don’t hold back, be generous in your giving.

Give joyfully (9:7) – In we find the call to give joyfully—God loves a cheerful giver—God is pleased when you gie with a smile on your face instead of a frown. Give with a joyful heart as an act of obedient worship.

· Give faithfully () – The Macedonians had promised to give but hadn’t completed the work of taking up the offering. Be faithful in your giving- If you commit to giving each week or each month, follow through on your decision and complete the transaction (on-line, check, or cash).

Let’s excel in the grace of giving. Let’s surrender our wallets (purse) to the Lord? Let’s give as an act of worship. Again, this is not a guilt trip but a call for us to give as an act of worship. Jesus is our ultimate example in this area—“though He was rich He became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich”—and in Him we have become spiritually rich and our hearts are transformed by His grace. Giving as an act of worship is the result of His transforming work in our lives. The gospel transforms us from the inside out—changing our affections, desires, priorities, decisions, speech, and conduct—and even transforming our selfish hearts for His glory. Pastor Elvin at New City in Church consistently reminds his people that “the gospel turns getters into givers.” I like that, may that be true of us at MBC.

The gospel turns getters into givers. Giving is an act of worship. Walk in wisdom in this area of your life as a faithful disciple of Jesus. If you’re never given to the Lord, seek His face. If you’re a faithful giver, keep seeking His face and keep growing (exceling) in the grace of giving. If all of us exceled in the grace of giving together, we would never have a problem meeting our ministry budget.

One final observation from this wisdom principle. Our obedience in this area will bring blessing. God rewards true worshippers. Many of you have experience this in your life. I remember when Dana and I were newlyweds, we didn’t have a lot of money, we were living off love and doing all we could pay the bills each month. We were not tithing – we were not giving to the Lord by supporting the ministry of our local church – then we went through a class on biblical stewardship and we were challenged to obey God’s Word and begin giving as an act of worship. The sacrifice was hard, the idea of giving ten percent of our income seemed impossible, but after we began giving we saw Him provide all of our needs in various ways like never before (extra gift of unexpected money, a bag of groceries, etc.). I trust many of you can share your testimony of God’s provision and prosperity in your lives as you honored Him with the giving of your finances. The general principle of the Proverb highlights that “honoring” the Lord will result in a more prosperous life—not so we can simply get rich and live close-handed—so that we can continue to steward everything we have for His glory and the advancement of the gospel.

CONCLUSION

Refresh -

Renew

We live in a culture where “money” and “wealth” are celebrated as one of the ultimate goals of life—getting rich, being financially stable, having lots of “toys,” and having one’s identity wrapped up in their net-worth – there is more to life than having money (attaining wealth). Money is not evil. Wealth is not sinful. And yet money can quickly become an idol. We desperately need God’s wisdom in regards to our finances. Today in Proverbs we discovered “Wisdom for our Wallets.”

Restate

Let’s embrace and apply these wisdom principles regarding our attitude towards money and the use of our money. God has called us to be faithful stewards of all He has given to us—our time, talents, and our treasures—and we want to be dedicated followers of Jesus Christ who embrace the wisdom of Proverbs and obey God’s instructions about money. I hope you’ll remember and review the five wisdom principles about money from Proverbs.

§ The “almighty” dollar cannot save you – don’t trust in your money to save you!

§ Riches fail to provide true security in life – find security in the Lord and not your savings account!

§ Godly conduct is better than cash/is better than being wealthy – pursue godly conduct instead of cash!

§ Debt enslaves you – dump the unnecessary debt from your life!

§ Giving to God is an act of worship – excel in the grace of giving!

Let’s pray!

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[3] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[4] Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), .

[5] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .

[6] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), .