Breaking up with the enemy over money

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Opening

Money is mentioned over 2000 in the bible and 40% of Jesus’ parables were about money.

My goal is to uncover the condition of your heart regarding money.

The enemy has used money to destroy marriages and people from the beginning of time.

What is one of the biggest reasons why couples fight about?

There is one question I want you to be able to answer by the end of this sermon.

What is your relationship with money? Poverty spirit

How much do you think about money?

When you think about money, are you excited? Are you upset?

Let’s look at two stories where money has controlled peopl

The rich young ruler

Mark 10:17–30 (ESV)

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Isn’t it funny that this guy comes on the scene already prideful calling Jesus Good.

19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

Have you ever met a guy like this. That they just feel like they have everything on lock down. They feel like they are just killing at this thing called christianity?

21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing:

I’m sure his heart sank at this point. I’m sure he was astonished that he was lacking something. He has upheld all of the commandments, he was doing all the right things but with God we know it’s not just about doing.

go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Jesus tell this guy to not just get rid of some of the stuff that is holding him back but Jesus tells him to sell everything.

22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Your stuff means nothing to Jesus. He wants your heart.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.”

There are two interpretations of vs 25. Some believe that Jesus was talking about the gate into Jerusalem.

Some look at it as literal. Either way it’s impossible.

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

People that are against prosperity will use these verses about how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God but they are taking it out of context. Jesus is using this man as a way to teach the disciples and people.

28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

Don’t you love how Peter pipes up and lets Jesus know how he’s doing everything right.

Let’s look at the other side of the coin when someone has done it right

Story of Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1–9 (ESV)

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Don’t be ashamed of your blessing

Proverbs 10:22 ESV

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

Giving to those that are less fortunate

Proverbs 19:17 ESV

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Get out of debt

Proverbs 22:7 ESV

7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

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