MONEY

Introduction:
Today we will address a topic which is relevant to everyone. As a
matter of fact, money issues are killing people, marriages, churches,
and we are heading that direction as a country with our federal
government.

God knows that and has a plan. Lets look today in Gods book of
wisdom for how He teaches us to wisely view our money.

Human seek fame & fortune. Longevity to enjoy them.

But what does the bible say about this?

PASSAGE: Proverbs 3:5-18

NIV
5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
[a]

7
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

8
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

9
Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11
My son, do not despise the LORDs discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,

12
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
[b]

13
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,

14
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.

15
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.

16
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

ESV
5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.

6
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

7
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8
It will be healing to your flesh
[b]

and refreshment to your bones.

[c]

9
Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,

12
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

13
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,

14
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.

15
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.

18
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

As we read, you will see 4 biblical principles repeated over and over
-
OUTLINE:
I. Money is a spiritual matter, not a financial one.
II. We struggle with money because we struggle with sin.
III. Every financial decision should be approached as a spiritual
decision.
IV. Sound financial decisions are based upon Biblical truths

I. MONEY IS A SPIRITUAL MATTER, NOT A FINANCIAL ONE.

In all your ways acknowledge Him There is no asterisk which notes
an exception for money matters. To the contrary, He makes it
explicitly clear in verses 9-10.
Did you know that money is a spiritual matter. For example, Jesus
had more to say about money than He did about Heaven. Jesus
often used examples of money, income, and wealth as a spiritual
thermometer to gauge ones spiritual life. For example, the parable
of the rich fool; the parable of the talents; His experience with the
rich young ruler; His experience in causing the caught fish to
provide money for payment of his taxes and instruction to pay your
taxes; Jesus experience in watching the widow give her mite.

Ive told you before that I can look at your Daytimer/Palm

Pilot/Planner and your checkbook register/credit card statement and
tell you where you are spiritually. Why? Time and money are our two
most scarce resources. Therefore how you spend them reveal what
is most important to you.

Your family will never have money or experience financial peace

until you understand Biblical stewardship. This means you must
submit your money and all of your finances to the Lordship of Jesus
Christ. This creates the spiritual heart condition which will be willing
to follow His counsel in scripture and make wise decisions.

See verses 5-12. Right there God describes the life of a Christian
trust on the Lord and His understanding and not your own. Dont
think that you are the one who is wise. Honor Him w/ all your money
and He will provide for you. And, when you mess up dont despise
His loving correction and teaching. (verse 11-12)

II. WE STRUGGLE WITH MONEY BECAUSE WE STRUGGLE WITH SIN.

Why do we have so many struggles with money? Well consider this:

What does it take to make a budget? A second grade education. It is
simply addition and subtraction. What does it take to balance a
check book? A second grade education addition and subtraction.
There are 2 types of people in the world: 1) those who live on less
than they make; and 2) those who live on more than they make. All
this takes is a basic set of character skills some discipline, the
ability not to procrastinate, and the choice to be content.

Verse 12 says a pure heart will rejoice in correction because of the

recognition that Gods love causes it. 13-14 says a man will be
happy and treasure as priceless Gods wisdom. What is the only
thing that can prevent that perspective? Ans- Unrepentant sin.

TURN TO I TIMOTHY 6: 6-10 Read this passage. While turning ask

again: Why do we struggle? Answer: due to the emotions behind it. They
put us in contact with our sin nature and then we struggle. We love money
an emotion leading to sin. We are jealous of those around us a sin. We buy
to salve our wounded hearts letting emotions control us and override our
faith based decisions is sin.

In verse 15 we are told specifically that other things we desire cannot

compare in anyway to the joys of living by Gods wisdom and understanding.

III. EVERY FINANCIAL DECISION IS ACTUALLY A SPIRITUAL DECISION.

In our lives, God never draws a distinction between spiritual matters and
other matters. Thus, no spiritual decisions vs. financial decisions. They are
one and the same. Verse 6 says plainly, in all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make straight (direct) your paths.

God s word applies and works in every area of life, including your finances. If
Gods word is true then it is totally true-if it fails in any area then fails in
every area. That clearly means that Gods wisdom is all we need for wisdom
in how we manage our money.

It is also an issue of faith. Do you truly believe Gods promises and

instructions are His and should and can be followed. This yet another reason
why this is such a powerful indicator of our spiritual condition.

There is a clear set of promises here in verses 16-17. Finances are specifically
referenced in this passage.; The implication is unmistakeable: God gives
wisdom for how we approach our money wisely and this wisdom produces
specific, measurable blessings because of our obedience.

Buying a car, eating out, your new plasma, investing in the future. These are
all spiritual decisions which render specific results in your life. Are you
approaching them that way? Are you praying about them like a spiritual
decision?

IV. SOUND FINANCIAL WISDOM COMES FROM BIBLICAL TRUTH.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto you.

See these incredibly practical principles in this passage when applied to

finances will guide you well.
A. Value eternal vs. earthly goals - all the things you may desire cannot
compare with her.(15) This is an accounting term to compare. It indicates
that we should actually calculate the relative values of earthly verses
heavenly values.

Jesus taught this same lesson in Matthew 6.

B. Long term vs. short term decisions Length of days is in her right hand,
(16) This speaks of longevity. The right hand is the hand of strength. Wise
decisions last over the long term. This is saving verses spending. Saving and
being wise makes you stronger over the long haul.

We often make decision by impulse, etc. Short term benefits and we regret
them over time. Not only do we regret, but we loose the power and effect of
that money working for us and the Lord in the future.

C. Obedient stewardship produces rewards for obedience. in her left hand

are riches and honor. (16)

Rewards for obedience 2 types riches, and honor. Here are Gods
blessings for you. Here is a reputation of integrity because you are financially
sound.

D. Decisions motivated by love Her ways are ways of pleasantness, (17)

What creates pleasantness? What creates friction, hatred, etc.? We are
pleasant in our walk with the Lord when we are aligned with Him in our
approach to life. Jesus said we know we love Him when we keep His
commandments. To be in love is always pleasant. To be in love with
Jesus means to follow His ways and walk in communion with Him.

E. Make decisions to keep your integrity and all her paths are
peace.(17) Peace can be described as internally unified in your heart
and mind. It means not divided within yourself. I feel one way and
act another. Or if your life is a mask of hypocrisy, then there is no
peace. Integrity always produces peace.

F. Develop the proper perspective of money.

Realizing these principles and implementing them will be like a tree
of life to you. (18).

Summary: Money matters are spiritual matters and financial peace

can only come from making decision based on biblical principles.