The Christian and Money In This Study Matt

The Christian and Money

In This Study • Matt. 6: 24 – You CANNOT serve God and mammon. • 1196 verses dealing with money (Provident Planning) • It is a subject we need to think about, from a Biblical standpoint!

The Christian and Money The Danger of Materialism (2)

In our last lesson: • 2 Tim. 3: 1 -5 • Materialism is found everywhere around us, including in churches • Examples of materialism: Balaam, Achan, David & Bathsheeba, Gehazi, Solomon, Ananias & Saphira, Judas Iscariot

Materialism & the Bible • Luke 12: 15 – Beware of covetousness • Luke 8: 7, 14 – The “thorny soil” • 1 John 2: 15 -16 • 1 Tim. 6: 10 – love of money • Matthew 6: 24

Dangers of Materialism It distorts our spiritual perspective • Prosperity often draws one’s reasoning away from God • Matt. 19: 16 -22 – Rich, young ruler • Rev. 3: 17 -18 – Laodicea • Jer. 2: 11 -13 – Judah - broken cisterns that hold no water

Dangers of Materialism • • • It blinds us to curses of wealth Wealth is NOT sinful of itself, but neither is it virtuous! Eccl. 5: 10 -15 Ezek. 28: 4 -5 – heart lifted up Hosea 13: 6 – they forgot God Matt. 19: 23 -26 – it is HARD for a rich man to enter heaven!

Dangers of Materialism It can cause unhappiness & anxiety • Wealth and worry! • No happiness because it is never enough! • Prov. 30: 15 • Ecclesiastes - All things bring vanity • Phil. 4: 6, Matt. 6: 25 -34

Dangers of Materialism It obscures the best things • When we “have it all” it is difficult to see the next life as better • The best things cannot be purchased with things – God’s grace, love, brethren, salvation, faith, etc. • Acts 8: 20 – Simon rebuked

Dangers of Materialism • • Spawns independence Affluence often turns us from God They see no need for Him! Prov. 30: 8 – give me neither poverty, nor riches Deut. 32: 15 – Jeshurun grew fat and kicked

Dangers of Materialism • • • Leads to pride & elitism Arrogance a product of wealth! Jas. 2: 1 -10 – with the church Rev. 3: 17 – Laodicea 1 Tim. 6: 17 – the rich not to be haughty Do we ever find ourselves “showing off” our possessions?

Dangers of Materialism • • • Promotes injustice & exploitation Isaiah 10: 1 -3 – Israel Jeremiah 5: 27 -28 – Judah Acts 16: 16 – a slave girl exploited Matt. 23: 14 – devouring widow’s houses The “sin industries” an example

Dangers of Materialism • • It fosters immorality I. e. Las Vegas! Pornography, Hollywood, drinking, etc. Wealth enables such conduct 1 Tim. 6: 10 Love of money is “the root of all kinds of evil” There are some not caught up in sins because they can’t afford it!

Dangers of Materialism Causes deterioration of the family • Homes in America are in trouble • Often the product of our possessions

Dangers of Materialism • • Distracts from our main purpose Why are we here? Eccl. 12: 13 -14 - the conclusion of the whole matter Phil. 1: 21 -23 – Paul wanted to depart and be with the Lord. He gave up all things (Phil. 3: 7 -11) Do we want to leave this world?

Dealing with materialism • Honestly examine what you have – 2 Cor. 13: 5 • Seek first the kingdom of God Matt. 6: 33 • Realize things are temporary - 2 Pet. 3: 10 • Who do you belong to? 1 Cor. 6: 19 -20

Dealing with materialism • Learn contentment – Heb. 13: 5, 1 Tim. 6: 6, Phil. 4: 11 • Use your prosperity for the cause of God. Give generously, help others, etc. Gal. 6: 10, Jas. 1: 27

“What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ” Matt. 16: 26

May we use all that He has loaned us, as wise stewards