Because Of Relationships Not Money Series

It’s a Wonderful Life

Rediscovering it this Advent Season

Because of Relationships not Money

1st Sunday of Advent 11/30/08

INTRODUCTION

There are certain clichés you hear all through your life. A number of them relate to money and how we relate to it. For example:

* It takes money to _________ ___________.

* Money ___________ ___ _______________ in his pocket.

* Money makes the _____________ ______________.

* You are _____________ without money.

While many people would believe these clichés, people who are discovering the Wonderful Life God has for us are learning some differing things about money. This Advent season we are seek to rediscover or for some discover for the first time that ’It’s a Wonderful Life." George Bailey and in the film "it’s a Wonderful Life makes a huge discovery about money. He discovers that their just might be something more important than money. Watch these clips with me.

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T.S. George Bailey discovered that . . .

 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE BECAUSE OF RELATIONSHIPS NOT MONEY.

Since it’s a wonderful when relationships are valued more than money. . .

Philippians 1:3-8 helps us identify four ingredients to ensure you are valuing relationships more than money this Advent Season.

T.S. Turn with me there now.

Phil 1:3-8

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

I. Practice Affirmation

vv. 3-5

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

This is a very emotional passage.

* Paul Thanks god for them all the time.

* He thinks of them all the time

* Paul prays for them all the time.

* He is aware of joy that he has because of them.

* And he is expressing it in writing to them.

* He affirms them in their relationship with him.

* If I were a Phillippian, I’d be moved by this opening.

The power of affirmation lays the reality that we all want to know we matter and that we are appreciated by those around us. Too often we go through our lives especially with those closest to us over looking their goodness, there handwork, their patience with us. Too often we take their relationship for granted.

In the film Miss Potter, Beatrix Potter, the beloved children’s author who wrote The Tales of Peter Rabbit, receives a statement of encouragement and support from her father that proves more valuable than all of the books she would go on to sell.

The scene begins with Beatrix’s mother calling her to greet her father, who has just returned from a social club. The two women have been quarreling over the guest list for an upcoming Christmas party.

"How was your day at the club, father?" Beatrix asks as she descends the stairs.

"Interesting, as always," her father responds, beginning to notice the tension between his wife and daughter.

"Rupert," Beatrix’s mother cuts in, "we seem to have a situation. We need your resolution."

"I want to invite Norman Warren and his sister to our Christmas party," Beatrix begins, but her mother cuts in again.

"With Lady Armitage! With Sir Nigel and Sybill! A tradesman, Rupert--how will anyone have any fun?"

"He’s the gentleman who publishes my books, Father," Beatrix answers.

Rupert considers for a moment before taking the conversation in a different direction. "I have something here, Beatrix." He pulls out a copy of her book. "I went into Hatchet’s book shop, and I purchased this with good money. Now, Hugh Whittemer bearded me in the club and rattled on for hours--you know old Hugh, jowls all aflutter. His wife bought three of your books for her granddaughter’s nursery and is sending more by ship to chums in Bombay."

Rupert turns to his wife and hands her the book while saying, "Very soon the whole club was telling me of some purchase they had made of our daughter’s creation. So I thought it was time that I bought one. I went straight into Hatchet’s and put my shilling on the counter."