SF710 - How to Master Your Money (Neh 5 1-5)

Nehemiah 5:1-5

Introduction

Nehemiah 2:20 (NASB) 20 “…The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build….”

Satan has many tactics to keep us from doing God’s work.

Derision  (4:1-3)

Ø      They made fun of them, ridiculed them, put them down.

Discouragement  (4:10)

Ø      They came and said, It is hopeless, there is too much rubble.

Ø      Nehemiah's response to discouragement was simply to reorganize.  Reorganize and remember the Lord

Danger  (4:11-12)

Ø      They started threatening their lives.  They threatened them and tried to scare them into quitting.

Ø      Nehemiah's response to that was to resist and reinforce.

Next Satan tried Division and Discord (5)

Ø      Satan tried to create internal conflict.  When you get people fighting each other, they are ineffective after that. 

The division was over money

How to Master your Money…

The most sensitive nerve in the human body runs from the heart to the wallet.

1A.      The Problems of Financial bondage

1B.      The Results of Financial Bondage  (5:1-8)

1.         There was strife and division  (5:1)

2.         There was a shortage of the necessities of life  (5:2)

3.         The people had mortgaged their homes to buy food  (5:3)

4.         The people were in deep debt  (5:4,5)

Ø      Borrowed money to pay taxes

Ø      Therefore, they were in financial bondage  (5:5)

Ø      God intends you to have financial freedom.  (Deuteronomy 28:1-14))

Ø      It is Satan’s plan to keep us in financial bondage.

5.         The rich were taking advantage of the poor  (5:6-8)

(Deuteronomy 23:19 NIV)  "Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest."

Ø      Greed had taken these officials bondage.

6.         The root cause of internal conflict and discord is always selfishness.

Ø      Whenever we must have things our way, we are inviting conflict.

2B.      The Marks of Financial Bondage

1.         When you charge daily expenditures because of a lack of funds.

2.         When you put off paying a bill until next month.

3.         When you borrow to pay fixed expenses (i.e. house payments…).

4.         When you become unaware of how much you owe.

5.         When you have creditors calling you and writing you about past due bills.

6.         When you take from your savings to pay current bills.

7.         When you take new loans to pay off your old ones.

8.         When you and your spouse argue regularly over finances.

9.         When you begin to entertain the idea about being dishonest about some financial deal.

10.       When you find it difficult to return God’s tithe to God’s house on God’s day.

3B.      The Warning Signs of Financial Bondage

1.                  Do you trust in your money and your possessions more than you do in God?

2.                  Do your ambitions and goals reflect God’s Word and will?

3.                  Is your primary objective to get rich?

4.                  Are you willing to compromise Christian standards to get ahead?

2A.      The Principles of Financial Freedom

1B.      The Principle of Priority  (5:14-15)

Nehemiah was willing to put aside his rights in order for God to be glorified.

Ø      Nehemiah did not collect the taxes that were rightfully his, because of his reverence for God.

Nehemiah put God first in every aspect of life.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Nehemiah understood that only the eternal things are God mattered.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NASB) 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2B.      The Principle of Industry  (5:16a)

God created us to work

Some people do not recognize an opportunity because it comes dressed in overalls.

Ø      Many people want a position not a job.

Nothing can replace industry in our lives

Ø      You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

Ø      The government cannot give to anyone except what it takes from someone else.

Ø      What one man gets without working for another man works for without receiving.

3B.      The Principle of Integrity  (5:16b)

Nehemiah refused to take advantage of others.

Proverbs 28:20 (NASB) 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

Are you honest in all you do?

4B.      The Principle of Generosity  (5:17-18)

Nehemiah provided for others from his own wealth

Ø      God blessed Nehemiah because he kept giving it away!

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NASB) 6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

God expects us to give to help others, God’s principles for giving.

Ø      God knows what the need is.

Ø      God knows how much he wants to make available through me.

Ø      God is pleased to let me know what He wants me to give.

Ø      God will enable me to do anything He wants me to do.

Ø      When I give from God’s resources that are unlimited, I am not limited in what I can give.

Ø      This kind of giving requires the presence and the power of God.

Ø      This is the only kind of giving that glorifies God and causes a believer to grow.

5B.      The Principle of Accountability  (5:19)

Nehemiah was accountable to God for what he had done.

God delights to bless His people!

Psalm 35:27 (NASB) 27Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.”

God does not want you to be in bondage.

Application

Are you in financial bondage?

Are you willing to follow God’s plan for Freedom?

Who or what is first in your life?

Are you willing to work hard?

Have you maintained your integrity?

Are you generous?

Are you being accountable to God?

how to master your money
Overcoming Obstacles to Victory – Part 8
Nehemiah 5:1-5

1A.      The __________________ of Financial bondage

1B.      The ______________ of Financial Bondage  (5:1-8)

1.         There was strife and division  (5:1)

2.         There was a shortage of the necessities of _______________  (5:2)

3.         The people had mortgage their homes to buy food  (5:3)

4.         The people were in deep _________  (5:4,5)

5.         The rich were taking advantage of the poor  (5:6-8)

6.      The root cause of internal conflict and discord is always selfishness.

2B.      The Marks of Financial Bondage

1.         When you charge daily expenditures because of a lack of funds.

2.         When you put off ___________ a bill until next month.

3.         When you borrow to pay fixed expenses.

4.         When you become unaware of how _____ ____ _____.

5.         When you have creditors calling on you and writing you about past due bills.

6.         When you take from your _________ to pay current bills.

7.         When you take new loans to pay off your old ones.

8.         When you and your spouse ______ over finances.

9.         When you begin to entertain the idea about being dishonest about some financial deal.

10.       When you find it difficult to return God’s __________ to God’s house on God’s day.

3B.      The Warning Signs of Financial Bondage

1.         Do you trust in your money and your possessions than you do in God?

2.         Do your ambitions and goals reflect God’s Word and will?

3.         Is your primary objective to get rich?

4.         Are you willing to compromise Christian standards to get ahead?

2A.      The _____________ of Financial Freedom  (14-19)

1B.      The Principle of ____________  (5:14-15)

Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 4:18

2B.      The Principle of __________________  (5:16a)

3B.      The Principle of ________________  (5:16b)

Proverbs 28:20

4B.      The Principle of ________________  (5:17-18)

2 Corinthians 9:6

5B.      The Principle of ______________  (5:19)

Psalms 35:27