Excerpt: God’s Word talks a lot about money and possessions. We find true freedom in our finances when we do it God’s way.
When it comes to money and finances, everyone has an opinion. Who do you listen to? Does culture direct our decisions? Do we follow the advice of influencers like Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman, or Dave Ramsay? We’re trusting God and his Word for our eternity, so we ought to be able to trust him with our money.
Getting our minds right about stewardship vs. ownership is critical in experiencing freedom and peace with our money.
- Psalm 50:10-12 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
- Everything belongs to God. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. The very breath in my lungs is given to me by him. When I recognize that it’s not “my” money or “my” resources, but instead God’s resources, it gives me a totally different perspective. It also takes away anxiety because God has unlimited resources. He has asked me to be faithful in managing a little. He may ask me to manage more as I show myself faithful - parables of the talents. We want to be clear that we’re not talking about a prosperity gospel here.
- James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
- God is so generous. Every good and perfect gift is from him. He isn’t stingy.
- You might want to push back and say, “My hard work created this wealth.” Who gave you the abilities and talents you used in that work? Who gave you the physical and mental health to be able to be productive?
Chasing after the world’s treasures fills us with anxiety and always leaves us wanting.
- Summarize Luke 12:13-34
- Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
- 22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire...
