Sermon Tone Analysis

Fool Proofing Your Finances | Proverbs

A woman who traveled abroad without her husband got to Paris and found a fabulous bracelet she'd been looking for.

So she sent [her husband a text] saying, "I have found this beautiful bracelet, one I've been looking for all my life.

It only costs $7,500.

Do you think I can buy it?"

Her husband [responded] back a short but firm reply, "No, price too high!"

... But in the [message], the comma was left out and the [it] read, "No price too high."

Oh, she was thrilled!

Omitting that comma almost put that guy in a coma.

While a funny story, imagine this happening to you or another couple that may not be financially grounded.

This morning, we're going to talk on the topic of finances.

Now, just as I did a couple of weeks ago with the sermon on relationships, I'll admit to you right now that I'm not an expert but am leaning on the Word of God for counsel.

A couple of weeks ago, when we spoke on the topic of relationships, I opened with the teaching of Jesus to open our time.

I'm going to do that again today, as I believe these wise words from Jesus is the primary Biblical principle on the topic of finances.

And just like a couple of weeks ago, we're going to be all over the book of Proverbs, so buckle up and keep your eyes on the screen to follow along.

Jesus says the following in Matthew, chapter 6:

19 "DO NOT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES ON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DESTROY AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK IN AND STEAL, 20 BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DESTROYS AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK IN AND STEAL.

21 FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.

Later in verse 24, He says ...

24 "NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS, FOR EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER, OR HE WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER.

YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY.

And finally, the familiar message of "do not be anxious" or "do not worry" from verses 25-33.

Jesus here, is reminding us that our money and possessions are all of God, and it is He who provides and preserves us and because of this, we must keep our eyes on God.

So, this morning, I want to focus on five principles from the Proverbs and the rest of the Scriptures that will help us to "fool proof" our finances.

Before we get there, let's identify our main idea:

Fool proofing your finances is a spiritual issue.

Let's take a quick moment to understand this statement better.

One source noted that 11 of 39 of Jesus' parables speaks about money.

But this statistic could be a little misleading, as He used the illustration of money to about the Kingdom of God.

We talk frequently how we must seek God in all that we do, so this means that our finances are no different.

How we see and how we handle our finances is an indicator of our relationship with Jesus.

With that, let's jump right into our first principle:

* Put God first

o Moments ago, I mentioned Matthew 6. Verse 33 particularly stands out to me as we explore this principle.

Jesus says this: BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU.

* Jesus says that when we put other things before the Kingdom and the Father, we will not rid that anxiety or worry, but we also dishonor the Lord.

o Proverbs 3:9 says: HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR WEALTH AND WITH THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL YOUR PRODUCE;

* This is a principle of priority.

The firstfruits in Solomon's days was their produce, today, it would be our paychecks.

Are we giving from the "top-line" or are we giving Him our leftovers?

* A biblical example of this comes from Genesis 4 where Abel gave of his firstborn flock, but Cain did not.

o The reason we give to God first is because He is the rightful Owner.

Psalm 24:1 confirms this: THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF, THE WORLD AND THOSE WHO DWELL THEREIN,

* The NLT summarizes this as "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it"

* The problem for many of us is that we concern ourselves on many other things before the Lord.

o One of the things that is important to understand is that what we do, and how we go about things, is evidence of putting God first.

I came across an article this week, and the author states that there are five actions that Christians take that show that we are putting God first:

* We tithe

* We talked about this moments ago.

Where are your firstfruits going?

* We provide for specific needs

* We'll talk about this in a few moments

* We get out of debt and stay out of debt

* A common warning against financial troubles is always debt.

Once we get in debt, the harder it is to get out of debt.

* Dr. Tony Evans says there are three types of people: the haves, the have nots, and the have not paid for what they have

* Christian financial expert Dave Ramsey said this about debt: "if you're in debt, you don't have the freedom to use your money the way you want"

o Ramsey would tell you that there is no such thing as good debt, others would argue that a mortgage (for example) is considered a good debt.

o Bottom line is, limiting and eliminating debt quickly is essential to getting and staying out of debt

* Proverbs 22:7 warns: THE RICH RULES OVER THE POOR, THE BORROWER IS THE SLAVE OF THE LENDER

* We live contently

* Recall Matthew 6.

* Are we concerned about having the latest iPhone?

The latest model of that car?

Are we concerned about our neighbor, who seems to "have it all?"

* The Lord provides, we need to be content with that.

* We don't fret about finances

* This is really a result of everything we just spoke about.

I don't know about you, but I would rather be concerned about my relationship with God and my neighbor, than with my money.

o Now, let's discuss the next action:

* Be generous

o We learned moments ago that it is the Lord who provides, and as such, we are to be generous, not only with Him, but also to the poor (or those who are in need).

o There is no shortage of examples of this in the Proverbs:

o Proverbs 11:24-25 states: 24 ONE GIVES FREELY, YET GROWS ALL THE RICHER; ANOTHER WITHHOLDS WHAT HE SHOULD GIVE, AND ONLY SUFFERS WANT

25 WHOEVER BRINGS BLESSING WILL BE ENRICHED, AND ONE WHO WATERS WILL HIMSELF BE WATERED.

o Proverbs 14:21 states: WHOEVER DESPISES HIS NEIGHBOR IS A SINNER, BUT BLESSED IS HE WHO IS GENEROUS TO THE POOR.

o One of the most striking verses in the Proverbs that I found was 14:31, which states: WHOEVER OPPRESSES A POOR MAN INSULTS HIS MAKER, BUT HE WHO IS GENEROUS TO THE NEEDY HONORS HIM.

o Paul confirms this and gives instruction to Timothy to push for action in 1 Timothy 6:17-18: 17 AS FOR THE RICH IN THIS PRESENT AGE, CHARGE THEM NOT TO BE HAUGHTY, NOR TO SET THEIR HOPES ON THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES, BUT ON GOD, WHO RICHLY PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING TO ENJOY.

18 THEY ARE TO DO GOOD, TO BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, TO BE GENEROUS AND READY TO SHARE

o Proverbs 21:13 gives a warning to those who hold back from giving to those in need: WHOEVER CLOSES HIS EAR TO THE CRY OF THE POOR WILL HIMSELF CALL OUT AND NOT BE ANSWERED.

o We can go on and on, pulling various scripture references, like 2 Corinthians 8-9 about being generous, but I think you get the message here.

o Not only is it honoring to God to care for those in need, but it is also a blessing to them.

A couple of weeks ago, we spoke about loving our neighbor.

This is loving your neighbor principle.

o Do you hold back when there is a neighbor in need?

* If there was any positive thing that came out of the pandemic and the lock downs, it was the generosity of people who took extra toilet paper to their neighbors in need, or other things they may have needed.

* When able, we should give to others.

That was Paul's frustration with the Corinthian church.

o Next, and very much an essential aspect to Biblical financial success is that we must ...

* Work hard

o Proverbs 6:10-11 states: 10 A LITTLE SLEEP, A LITTLE SLUMBER, A LITTLE FOLDING OF THE HANDS TO REST, 11 AND POVERTY WILL COME UPON YOU LIKE A ROBBER, AND WANT LIKE AN ARMED MAN.

* This principle is important to Solomon, so much in fact that he repeats it in 24:33-34

o To say it another way, 28:19 states: WHOEVER WORKS HIS LAND WILL HAVE PLENTY OF BREAD, BUT HE WHO FOLLOWS WORTHLESS PURSUITS WILL HAVE PLENTY OF POVERTY

o Paul warned the Thessalonians of this very issue.

We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12: 10 FOR EVEN WHEN WE WERE WITH YOU, WE WOULD GIVE YOU THIS COMMAND: IF ANYONE IS NOT WILLING TO WORK, LET HIM NOT EAT.

11 FOR WE HEAR THAT SOME AMONG YOU WALK IN IDLENESS, NOT BUSY AT WORK, BUT BUSYBODIES.

12 NOW SUCH PERSONS WE COMMAND AND ENCOURAGE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO DO THEIR WORK QUIETLY AND TO EARN THEIR OWN LIVING.

o This concept of hard work is not new.

Recall Genesis chapter 2. After creation, and before the fall, God appointed Adam a job to do - work and take care of the garden.

o This may surprise you, but I'm not a farmer.