Month: January 2019

What would you do for $10 million?

What would you do for $10 million? In a study, 25% of people said they would leave their family; 25% said they would leave their church and another 25% said they would deny their faith. Almost as many said they would become a prostitute for a week. Another 7% said they would kill a stranger. (Hope I don’t run into them!)

The truth is, money has a grip on us. It means something more than income to get us through the day or food and clothing and a home for our family. The “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,” 1st Timothy chapter 6 tells us. Richard Foster said, “Money has a sense of omnipotence about it.”

In other words, money will eat your lunch if you don’t manage it according to the principles of God’s Word. Do you trust God enough to adjust your life to do what He says with it? And maybe an even bigger question is, “can God trust you?” This is the question of stewardship that we are considering in worship this month.

Will you take His Word about what we are to do with the resources we have been entrusted with and allowed to manage? Jesus said we lose what we keep… we gain what we release.

Don’t let money own you. Don’t let it buy and sell your soul. Use it for the purposes God intended, and in ways that He can be glorified.

Live so God can say, “Yes, I can trust you with money.” Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of these other things will be added to you as well. God is looking for stewards that He can trust to faithfully handle the resources He graciously provides. Be sure to live so that you will hear,

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

What’s in your heart?

Does money really matter to God? I mean, it’s just paper and some precious metals, all of which God ultimately owns anyway. So what’s the big deal about money?

Certainly God does not need our money. God is not out to “get” your finances from you. His agenda is not dependent on our financial gifts. So what’s the big deal?

Well, there is an answer. Yes, money matters to God only because it means so much to us. In fact, for some people it is of ultimate meaning. Money for some has become nothing short of their “god,” and they serve it in much the same way that people throughout history have worshiped any idol.

So it matters to God, only because as our Lord said, “You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, material wealth).” Our giving becomes a way to tear down any competing idol that is a rival for our loyalty and our heart.

Does money really matter to God then? Yes… to the exact degree that it matters to you.

The question really is, does money matter too much to you? Is it an idol that you have devoted your life, your energy, and your heart to serving?

If so, you need to know that God’s concern is more your heart than your wallet. He is seeking hearts that are wholly His. If God has your heart, then money isn’t going to ultimately matter.

So the question finally is, does He have your heart?

And if He does, your wallet isn’t going to be a problem.

 

Join us Sundays as Dr. Maynard continues his new sermon series, The Trust Factor

 

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