Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

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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.