Will I Have Enough? Series

STANDING TALL:

WILL I HAVE ENOUGH?

Philippians 4: 10-20

S: Courage

Th: Financial Insecurity

Pr: WHEN YOU FEAR YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH, REMEMBER THAT YOU DO.

?: How? How do we remember this?

KW: Lessons

TS: We will find in our study of Philippians 4:10-20 three lessons that we must learn in order to know that we have enough.

The _____ lesson we must learn is to be…

I. CONTENT (10-12)

II. DEPENDENT (13)

III. BENEVOLENT (14-20)

Version: ESV

RMBC 09 November 03 AM

INTRODUCTION:

1. Do you think that money talks?

ILL Notebook: Money (The Catholic Service)

There was a farmer named Muldoon who lived alone in the countryside with a pet dog which he loved and doted on. After many long years of companionship, the dog finally died so Muldoon went to the parish priest:

“Father, my dear old dog is dead. Could you be saying a mass for the creature?”

Father Patrick replied, “I am so very sorry to hear about your dog’s death. But, unfortunately we cannot have services for an animal in the church. However, there’s a new Baptist church down the road, no telling what they believe, but maybe they’ll do something for the animal.”

Muldoon said, “I’ll go right now. Do you think $500 is enough to donate for the service?”

To which Father Patrick replied, “Why didn’t you tell me the dog was Catholic?!”

Do you think money was a factor in that change?

Well…

2. We must understand the influence money has.

We all use it.

We all need it.

Everyone thinks money is important.

And when we don’t have what we perceive to be enough of it, we tend to panic.

TRANSITION:

Today, we are continuing our series called “Standing Tall.”

Now I know that some of you want to make comments about this theme, but behave yourselves.

We all know that it is a challenge to stand tall when you are of smaller stature.

Nevertheless, we are speaking, of course, about standing up to certain fears that we face from time to time.

Today’s topic is financial insecurity.

For example…

1. Have you ever had too much month at the end of the money?

No matter how you tried to stretch it, you just didn’t make it.

Your expenses outpaced your income.

When this happens, it is very frustrating.

We know we cannot keep that kind of pattern going for long.

I am sure though that…

2. Many of us really fear not having enough money.

Perhaps you are facing a financial crisis today.

You are struggling to keep up with the monthly bills.

The rising fuel costs are getting you.

The credit card charges are mounting.

Medical prescription costs have become outrageous.

And though the financial market has been better of late, it is going to be a long time to recoup what you have lost.

It is easy to feel discouraged when it comes to our finances.

We are concerned that we have enough for our present circumstances.

And if we are looking ahead, we are also worried about whether we have enough tucked away for the future.

We are living with a lot of “what ifs”.

It is here that I want to remind us of this important fact…

3. WHEN YOU FEAR YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH, REMEMBER THAT YOU DO.

Maybe you are thinking that it is easy to say that, but it is not so easy to live.

Well, give me the opportunity to explain.

For…

4. We will find in our study of Philippians 4:10-20 three lessons that we must learn in order to know that we have enough.

OUR STUDY:

I. The first lesson we must learn is to be CONTENT (10-12).

The apostle Paul writes…

[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

1. What is more difficult: times of prosperity or times of scarcity?

Now, if you are living on hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, I know what your answer is.

You are getting tired of eating the same thing everyday.

So you will go with scarcity.

And this makes sense.

When we are in true times of scarcity, it is physically difficult.

It is interesting though, to note what the Puritans thought in this area.

The Puritans said that the lean times were a trial by fire.

But the times of prosperity were a even more difficult trial.