In God We Trust? (2)
Notes
Transcript
In Money We Trust
In Money We Trust
There’s a great irony in the country where we live.
Does anyone have any cash on them today?
Take it out for me if you would,
Can you read the words printed across the back of the US currency?
What does is say?
“In God We Trust”
Yet for most of us, that motto is simply nowhere near truth. To be honest, its really just a saying.
We might say that we trust in God but our actions show the truth.
Many people , in our every day lives tend to trust, serve, and even worship the very money on which that slogan In God We Trust is printed on.
The words of Jesus in Luke 12:34 leave us no room to hide:
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I’m not encouraging you to be judgmental, here I am asking for your observation. Have you every seen the way someone lives, and concluded that they just don’t treasure God?
There actions made it clear that they treasure the things of this world.
Many people say, I said I believed in God, I trust In God, but the truth is, they trust in money.
Be honest with yourself, do you trust in Money?
Trusting in money generally sneaks up on you.
Most people would be in denial to admit that believe that money can bring them happiness.
Let me ask you a question.
Could even just a little more money make your life easier?
If the answer to the question is yes, essentially your current mindset is that money can buy you happiness.
You say that money wont bring you happiness but in contradiction just having a little more will.
Another way money slips in is when we have “enough” we feel secure.
The safety net, “SECURE” or “SECURITY”
Enough is different for everyone.
I might require more or less then you do to feel “SECURE”.
I remember sitting and talking to my grandmother once when I was young. She was telling me of how when she married my biological grandfather they had everything they wanted and more. The family owned one of the most prestigious hotels in Jalisco, the family owned a leather manufacturing shop in Baja, the family owned a Bus route in Tijuana, and several other businesses.
When my grandfather was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer the family spent a lot of money to treat my grandfather in San Diego, with the best doctors in San Diego at the time. They tried everything they could to save him, and they spent a lot of finances on that.
Eventually my grandfather passed away, and after several years my grandmother went from the lifestyle of Baja California’s Rich and Famous to poverty.
During that conversation when I was just a child, I decided that I could never allow my family to be poor.
I vowed to myself that my family would always have more then enough, and if I died my children would be well off.
At that young age my mind made an unconscious choice to serve my functional savior - money.
To me more money equaled more security.
The End Of Our World
The End Of Our World
For anyone who placed their hope, happiness, and security in money, 2008 and 2009 provided a sobering and alarming wake-up call.
You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing people talking about the global financial meltdown.
Even lifelong Christians, who had been looking to God for their provision, found themselves panicking.
The curtain was pulled and the false god of money was clearly revealed.
The reason money is such a struggle for so many people is that money is the #1 competitor for our hearts.
1 Timothy 6:10 says: 1 Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Many people misquote this verse by saying, “Money is the root to all evil”
Money is not evil, money is a tool.
Money can be used for good or for evil.
It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all kinds of evil.
Love of money leads to other abuses, whether of power, sex, or other sins.
The issue is so important that even Jesus addressed it head on in Luke 16:13
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Sadly the actions of many Christian indicate that they worship money instead of God.
Some even live as if they believe that God exists to help them generate more money and things.
This is the root to the dangerous prosperity gospel.
It is true that God wants His people to be blessed, many have the misconception that God wants us to be rich, or poor.
Anyone who has ever experienced deep, meaningful love in relationship know that you can be blessed in more than one way.
What does Proverbs 13:22 say?
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
The Bible tells us that:
A good man (1st generation) leaves an inheritance
to his children’s (2nd generation)
children (3rd generation, grandchildren).
Being rich is not the goal,
Thinking generationally is.
A good man recognizes that inheritance is not just physical wealth, but godly character and a good name. That’s why the scripture states that the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
This verse should keep our life goals, our vision and our legacy front and center when we’re choosing how to use our finances.
When we weigh what we want now against what we really want later, we realize how temporary satisfaction pales in comparison to a legacy of purpose and generational fulfillment.
And an inheritance is not limited to money. It also includes godly character qualities like integrity and trustworthiness.
Combining a financial inheritance with wisdom and godliness ensures that the next generation will also manage God’s blessings, God’s way, for God’s glory for to at least the 3rd generation.
We should take seriously the idea of financial stewardship and not live in such a way as to spend every penny that comes our way, so that we can pass some on.
Leaving a legacy includes more than money, and should also include examples of character and faith that is passed on as well.
If this is something you have neglected, it is never too late to start.
God isn’t against people having money and things, but he certainly hates when money and things have his people.
There is a difference between building riches, and building to leave an inheritance.
The Two Encounters
The Two Encounters
Matthew tells two stories about rich guys who meet Jesus.
The first one is an intelligent, well educated, rich young man who's life is on the upswing.
The kind that graduate at the top of his class, promoted quickly, and was probably a wealthy leader.
When he meets Jesus, he asks him what he needs to do to have eternal life.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus responds directly, in verse 21:
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
“If you want to be perfect go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me
Jesus challenged him to choose his master, and the next verse reveals his response
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
We might think that we’d never reject Jesus like that, but many of us make similar choices every day of our lives.
Follow the money.
Some of us spend more on coffee, music, and gym memberships and subscriptions then we give to this church.
Some faithfully pay our cell phone bills, but don’t pay tithes.
Some wake up in the morning dreaming of how they can make more money, rather than how to give more.
After the young man left, Jesus continues the conversation with His disciples
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
For years when I read this scripture, I felt it never applied to me.
I didn’t see myself as rich.
Some of you probably don’t either,
there’s always someone richer.
Instead of comparing yourself with your neighbors, compare yourself with with the rest of the world.
More then half of the people on earth live on less then $2.00 a day in conditions of incredible hardship.
The reality is that most of here in North America are filthy rich in comparison.
Jesus shows that our wealth puts us at an extreme spiritual disadvantage.
In The US we have a hard time trusting God because we trust our money instead.
Why did you give what you gave in offering today? Because it fits in your budget?
Because if you gave more you wouldn’t be able to go out and eat later, or pay for that membership or subscription?
“Give us today our daily bread” what does that mean to you?
Have you ever seen God provide for you miraculously?
Even though we are rich in comparison to the rest of the world, most of us don’t feel rich, and since we don’t feel rich, we want more of the very thing that can be crippling us spiritually, doubling down on the sickness instead of looking for the cure.
The other rich guy Jesus encountered wasn’t nearly as moral as the first. His name, Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus was despised by everyone who knew him.
He was a contractor for the Roman government, with a license to steal.
He was a tax collector, and whatever he could collect above from what the person owed he got to keep for himself.
One day Jesus came to town, Zacchaeus scrambled up into a tree because he wanted to see Jesus for himself.
When Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus in the tree, He invited himself to Zacchaeus house, a move that confused many people.
Why would Jesus associate with such a well-known sinner?
Jesus didn’t ask Zacchaeus to sell his things and give money to the poor as he did with the other rich man. However!
Zacchaeus with an instinctive spirit of repentance said in Luke 19:8
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Zacchaeus actions clearly demonstrated how we had suddenly changed.
“I was all about the money, what it could buy and the security it provided. But when I truly saw and met Jesus, money no longer mattered to ma at all.”
Unlike the rich young ruler, this corrupt tax collector was so hungry for salvation and fellowship with Christ that he easily released his stronghold on worldly wealth to grab something far more valuable
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
When we don’t remain focused on the things that are important to Him, our hearts drift towards things of this world instead.
More, and bigger, and better, and faster.
But When you get close to God the temporary things of this world don’t seem to shiny anymore because God is more then enough.
Putting Jesus first brings a strange gratification and satisfaction.
Paul explains to Timothy, in 1 Tim 6:17
1 Timothy 6:17 (KJV 1900)
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Americans are not known for being sacrificially generous.
In fact according to the pew research,
21% of consistent American Church members don’t give anything to their church!
Not a penny!
71% of Christians give less then 2% of their income.
Yet the Bible is clear that Christians are called to give generously, lest they start trusting in money until it becomes their god.
The Old Testament teaches that we should tithe
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Some people argue against the tithe, claiming that it’s only an Old Testament thing. Its not.
Tithing is a Kingdom of God thing
Looking into the New Testament, we find that Jesus affirmed the tithe.
Some Pharisees were bragging about their tithe, and Jesus explained that they should not only tithe but also not neglect other important matters.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Hearing that you should tithe often brings involuntary seizures! I don’t understand why people get funny when it comes to tithing.
“To give 10% would mean I’d have to change and rearrange my life!”
Exactly!
We must rearrange our life around GOD!
Ever day that we sacrifice something and honor God with our tithe reminds us that we’re putting God first in our lives, in our heart, and even above our finances.
Tithing forces us to have faith
and we get to faithful in our giving! We are able to demonstrate our faith, and faithfulness in being in covenant with God.
Some Christians serve leftovers to God.
If they have a little left after buying everything that their hearts desire, they toss some crumbs to God.
Some people in the Old Testament did that same thing.
God told them to bring their best lambs to sacrifice.
They did the same thing many of us would do today.
They looked at their best, most prized lamb and thought,
“This one is to valuable, It’s gonna get sacrificed anyway. I’ll just give a shabby one to God. He won’t mind.”
But the truth is that He does mind.
God speaks through that prophet in Malachi 1:8
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.
The Christian the Trust in Money justifies himself:
Sure, I’ll give... as long as it doesn’t lower my standard of living.
Many of us have lived this way for to long, giving comfortably, making sure it never takes real faith to give.
So many people today want to give without sacrificing anything, and those who give, give what they need to give to stay under a certain tax bracket, or to feel good about themselves.
King David was the opposite.
A man named Araunah offered David oxen and wood for an altar to sacrifice to the Lord.
What was David’s response?
Look at what he says in 2 Samuel 24:24
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
In other words, I want to feel it when I give, it need to cost me something.
Jesus Cares About Our Giving Being Sacrificial
Jesus Cares About Our Giving Being Sacrificial
Sacrifice brings forth favor
Covenant brings forth covering
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all talk about when Jesus drove out the men who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves… In John it says it like this.
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
Why did Jesus get upset?
The superficial animal offering was never meant to be something that had no value.
The father was to pick the best animal that he had to present it as a sacrifice, this animal would most likely be considered almost like a family pet.
Jesus shows up to the temple, and people are selling animals for the family sacrifice.
Not attachment, just something to buy.
Jesus had an issue with the merchants robbing the people of the blessings and favor of the sacrifice.
