Man's Control Dissipates Power Series

Man’s Failing Control Dissipates

Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace.

Some things just don’t work!

Windows Operating Systems – don’t work!

Jumping out of an airplane without a parachute – doesn’t work!

Trying to get a 2 year old to hurry on your way to church Sunday morning - doesn’t work.

Getting your husband to go on a Sunday afternoon drive during football season - doesn’t work.

Classical music written for banjo or steel guitar - doesn’t work. I read recently that Bach and Handel works have been transcribed for banjo. The very thought of that inspires an emotional mix of fascination and horror in me. In other words it gives me the creeps.

There was a golden oldie from a few years ago the listed some things that don’t work…

You don’t spit into the wind,

You don’t pull on Superman’s cape,

You don’t take the mask off of the ’ol Lone Ranger, and

You don’t mess around with Jim..."

There is more but I’d have to sing and that is another thing that just doesn’t work!

The Love of Money– doesn’t work.

At least it doesn’t if what you want out of life is contentment, happiness, joy, and peace. The love of money does not produce good things. It does produces greed and it is the root cause of all kinds of evil

But many love money because it gives them a sense of It is an issue of power and control. “Look at what I have and what I can do”

Slide 2

Man’s Control Dissipates Power

Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace.

This is idolatry and it dissipates your power

I learned recently that 70% of Americans are in such financial difficulty and owe so much unsecured debt that if they pay only the minimum charges. They will never get out of debt.

According to Anthony Carr of Realty Times, this difficulty is not because they do not earn enough. It is not because the economy is in a down turn. It IS because they are out of control in their spending patterns and they have fallen into the trap of greed.

Look at what God’s word says about this idol worship in 1 Timothy 6:10-11

Slide 3

Money is the Idol of the Age

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NCV)

9 Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people.

10 The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow.

Money is like a Brick. Money in itself is not evil. It’s the love of money. Money is like a brick. You can use it to build a cathedral or to crush someone’s skull. Money is neither good nor evil in itself. It is greed that is the root of all evil.

- Paul W. Powell, {Taking the Stew Out of Stewardship,}(Dallas, TX: Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1996)

What are you willing to do for $10,000,000?

Two-thirds of Americans polled would agree to at least one, some to several of the following:

· 25% would abandon their entire family.

· 23% would become prostitutes for a week or more

· 16% would give up their American citizenships

· 16% would leave their spouses

· 10% would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free

· 7% would kill a stranger

· 3% would put their children up for adoption

· 25% would abandon their church.

Money does not make you rich. Serving God does.

The Godly attitude is that “We have brought nothing into this world and we’ll take nothing out. If we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied.” Having this attitude Depends on letting go of the control and trusting God with your life.

We’re going to discover today in 1 Timothy 6:10-19 the five commands that Paul instructs Timothy, a young preacher, to give to those in danger of falling into the dangerous life-sucking trap of loving money. We would do well to hear and obey

Slide 4

Live in the Right Way

1 Timothy 6:11

11 But you, man of God, run away from all those things. Instead, live in the right way, serve God, have faith, love, patience, and gentleness.