The Vanity of Economics
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Decluttering shows on HGTV… I think God wants to do that a little in our hearts today.
I’ve tried to avoid politics as much as possible in my preaching, not because I’m afraid to preach what God’s Word says, but because there are so many more important things in this world than who is in the White House. Samuel Rodriguez is president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, and pastors a church in Los Angeles. He said recently in an interview with Marvin Olasky, “I constantly tell my church, we can’t be married to the agenda of the donkey or the elephant, we must exclusively be married to the agenda of the Lamb.” I agree, and that’s why I generally try to avoid talking about donkeys and elephants. I’d rather talk about the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
But sometimes God’s Word wades right into the middle of the political fray and starts throwing punches, and everyone gets hit. God poked me in the eye this week, and it wasn’t comfortable. But when He removed His finger from my eye, a plank went with it. So, if God pokes you this morning, rather than get defensive, let your guard down and allow Him into that back room of your heart—the one that needs cleaned out.
Body
Body
The problem: Economic oppression, injustice, and inequality (Ecc 5:8-9 NET)
8 If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them! 9 The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields.
Liberals vs. conservatives, socialism vs. capitalism… Who’s right?
3,000 years ago when Solomon was living, neither capitalism nor socialism existed, but extortion of the poor and the perversion of justice and fairness did…
In every human society in history there has been economic oppression, injustice, and inequality.
What if the problem isn’t caused by an economic system but something far deeper? That’s the conclusion Solomon came to. The cause of the problem isn’t capitalism or socialism…
The cause of the problem: Materialism
Capitalism and socialism are both built on the same fundamental premise that the good life is a life of ever-increasing wealth and prosperity… They get there in different ways… but both capitalism and socialism are built on the foundation of materialism, and therein lies the root of the problem.
Materialism is bankrupt.
Ecc 5:10-11 NET… The more you have, the more you want. The more you have, the more others want what you have.
10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile. 11 When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes?
You can’t take it with you when you die. Ecc 5:15-16 NET… <picture from Sue Baker>
15 Just as he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil. 16 This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?
Ecc 6:9 NET… Enjoy what you have instead of wasting your life coveting what you don’t have.
9 It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile—like chasing the wind.
As long as we define the good life in terms of wealth and prosperity, then no matter what economic system is in place we will have the extortion of the poor and the perversion of justice and fairness. The root of the problem isn’t capitalism or socialism. It’s materialism. The problem isn’t an economic problem but an idolatry problem. We worship money, and “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Tim 6:10 ESV).
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
The solution to the problem: Live the way of Jesus (Matt 6:19-21 NET)
19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What are “treasures in heaven?”
“Spiritual treasure should be defined as broadly as possible—as everything that believers can take with them beyond the grave—e.g., holiness of character, obedience to all of God’s commandments, souls won for Christ, and disciples nurtured in the faith… Storing up treasures focuses particularly on the compassionate use of material resources to meet others’ physical and spiritual needs, in keeping with the priorities of God’s kingdom.” ~ Craig Blomberg
How do we accumulate treasures in heaven?
Matt 19:21 (NET)
21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Luke 12:32-34 (NET)
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out—a treasure in heaven that never decreases, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 Tim 6:17-19 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Who is really blessed?