Money Don't Matter 2 Night

Introduction

Illustration: Diamonds and Pearls is the thirteenth studio album by American recording artist Prince, and the first with his new backing band The New Power Generation. It was released on October 1, 1991, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. The album produced several hit singles, including "Gett Off", "Cream", "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", "Insatiable", and the title track.

"Money Don't Matter 2 Night" is a song by American musician Prince and The New Power Generation from their 1991 album, Diamonds and Pearls.[2] Co-written with Rosie Gaines, the lyrics deal directly with money, poverty, and greed. Overall, the song is a smooth delivery with layered vocals by Prince.

One more card and it's twenty two

Unlucky for him again

He never had respect for money it's true

That's why he never wins

That's why he never ever has enough

To treat his lady right

He just pushes her away in a huff

And says 'Money don't matter to night'

Money don't matter tonight

It sure didn't matter yesterday

Just when you think you've got more than enough

That's when it all up and flies away

That's when you find out that you're better off

Makin' sure your soul's alright

'Cause money didn't matter yesterday

And it sure don't matter tonight

The song is notable for its promotional video, directed by Spike Lee.[13] Featuring a poverty-stricken African-American family, with no shots of Prince, it was considered overly political and not "MTV friendly".

Transition To Body- Life & Life More Abundantly (John 10:10)

Life does not consist in abundance of possessions

Luke 12:13–15 ESV

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Illustration: An old Jack Benny skit illustrates how money can become more important to us than anything else. Jack was walking along, when suddenly an armed robber approached him and ordered, “Your money or your life!” There was a long pause, and Jack did nothing. The robber impatiently queried, “Well?” Jack replied, “Don’t rush me, I’m thinking about it.” (Incidentally, in real life, Jack Benny was known as a very generous man!)

Body

Steward Perspective Pertaining To Possessions (Luke 12:16-17)

Luke 12:16–17 ESV

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’

How do we view what the LORD has provided to us?

Generous Perspective Regarding Our Resources (Luke 12:18)

Luke 12:18 ESV

18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

Illustration: Average wages of Top 1% and 10% earners

In absolute terms affluence is a relatively widespread phenomenon in the United States, with over 30% of households having an income exceeding $100,000 per year and over 30% of households having a net worth exceeding $250,000, as of 2019.

However, when looked at in relative terms, wealth is highly concentrated: the bottom 50% of Americans only share 2% of total household wealth while the top 1% hold 35% of that wealth.

1% = $823,763

10% = $173,176

Philanthropy, it is popularly supposed, transfers money from the rich to the poor. This is not the case. In the US, which statistics show to be the most philanthropic of nations, barely a fifth of the money donated by big givers goes to the poor. A lot goes to the arts, sports teams and other cultural pursuits, and half goes to education and healthcare. At first glance that seems to fit the popular profile of “giving to good causes”. But dig down a little.

The biggest donations in education in 2019 went to the elite universities and schools that the rich themselves had attended.

The common assumption that philanthropy automatically results in a redistribution of money is wrong. A lot of elite philanthropy is about elite causes. Rather than making the world a better place, it largely reinforces the world as it is. Philanthropy very often favours the rich – and no one holds philanthropists to account for it.

Philanthropy is always an expression of power. Giving often depends on the personal whims of super-rich individuals. Sometimes these coincide with the priorities of society, but at other times they contradict or undermine them.

The idea that a philanthropist’s money is their own to do with as they please is deep-rooted. Some philosophers argue that each individual has full ownership rights over their resources – and that a rich person’s only responsibility is to use their resources wisely.

More Than Just Money But About Relationships

The implications of this text extend beyond simply what we do with what we have. How we relate to others and what we leave for them is also in view.

Even in the Old Testament the corners of the fields were left for those in need (Deut. 24:19–22)—a principle the rich fool ignored in his storing up goods just for his own use.

We must ask ourselves about the most basic resources of the earth: Is it right for us in some parts of the world to consume the vast amounts of food and other resources when others have little of any access to such benefits?

The Problem of Riches & Spiritual Immaturity

Luke 8:14 ESV

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Luke 8:15 ESV

15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 18:25–27 ESV

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Spiritual Perspective Towards Life's Tomorrow (Luke 12:19-20)

Luke 12:19–20 ESV

19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

Jesus calls the man a “fool” (v. 20), an Old Testament term that describes someone who either acts without God or acts without wisdom in a self-destructive way (Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

Failing to Acknowledge God

Psalm 14:1 ESV

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

We Cannot Take Anything Out of this World!

1 Timothy 6:6–10 ESV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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.

Illustration: MYOPIA is the technical term for what is commonly known as near-sightedness. People who are nearsighted only see what’s near or close to them. Their range of vision is limited. They need glasses to see things farther away due to their myopia.

This same medical terminology has been used in the broader context of life to describe people who are shortsighted and who don’t see the big picture in life. These folks tend to live for the moment, making choices that benefit them in the “right now.” They live their lives existing only for this life.

Transition To Close

Luke 12:21 ESV

21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Jesus concludes that this is how it will be for any who pile up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.

Richness towards God means responding to life and blessing in a way that he desires, in a way that honors him—through service and compassion (Eph. 4:28). The conclusion condemns greed as the attitude that piles up stuff simply for one’s own use.

We must also remember that how we used our wealth is one of the aspects of stewardship that God will examine one day. That prospect should lead us to reflect on how we use what God gives us.

The outcome of those whose treasure is not towards Jesus

Illustration: Man talking to Angel seeking stock recommendations

ONE DAY a man was talking to an angel. The angel said, “What can I do for you?” The man said, “Show me the Wall Street Journal one year from today. This way, I will know where to invest and will become a multimillionaire.” The angel snapped his fingers and out came a Wall Street Journal marked one year in advance of the date when they were talking. The man flipped the pages of the newspaper, studying the listings and observing which stocks would be high and which ones would be low. But in the midst of his joy, a frown came upon his face and tears began to roll down his eyes because when he looked over on the next page, he saw his face. His picture was in the paper under the obituary column. You see, this life can only offer you so much. Unless you live now in light of eternity, you are going to waste time focusing on the things of this earth. Enjoy your life, but as a Christian focused on the things that matter to God.

Close- For God so loved the...

Psalm 39:4 ESV

4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV

15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

The Generosity of the LORD God! (John 3:16-17)

John 3:16–17 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 10:10–11 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.