DEFINING MOMENTS – PART TWO
THE ROAD TO RICHES OR RUIN
MATTHEW 6:24 - DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2015)
Introduction:
Defining moments occur when we come face to face with a truth we didn’t know, or a truth we have chosen to disregard, and yet when confronted with the truth and we choose to accept it, receive it, and live it, our lives are transformed forever!
We have all been at the place where we see those, warning signs, some people call them the red flags waving in front of our eyes warning us that something is wrong. It could be in your marriage or with your kids or your business or your spiritual life…but we chose to ignore the red flags because we want to continue to believe that everything is wonderful and nothing needs to change. BUT we all know differently…And yet we rationalize, “Maybe if I ignore the truth long enough it won’t be the truth; maybe if I ignore the problem long enough it won’t be a problem; maybe if I just don’t talk about our marriage then our marriage will be fine; maybe if I just come to church and hear the truth but never act on the truth then I can be okay!” “Maybe if I just ignore what God says about the way I handle money or my credit cards then I’ll get a pass from Him.”
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CREATE A FALSE SENSE OF REALITY? Where did we get this twisted idea that God will conform to us instead of us conforming to HIM!
Instead of having a DEFINING MOMENT we play “LET’S MAKE A DEAL WITH GOD”
“I have been faithful in church my whole life so nothing bad will ever happen to me.”
“We have been happily married several years; our marriage will always be great.”
“I don’t tithe money but I give my time so I will never have any financial problems.”
“I send my kids to church; So I know they’ll be faithful when they are college.”
“Our kids know that we were both Christians when we married so they will marry a Christian”
“My sins are small compared to other people; I know God won’t be concerned about my small sin.”
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERYTIME WE BELIEVE A DISTORATION ABOUT GOD THERE IS A CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCE FOR OUR LIVES; AND THAT CONSEQUENCE THAT WILL CAUSE US TO PAY A PRICE IN LIFE GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR YOU TO HAVE TO PAY.
• If you believe that you have to have EVERY QUESTION ANSWERED before you’ll trust God; then you’ll never trust God.
• If you believe that God heals every illness; you will live with a great sense of disappointment in life.
• If you think you are going to be good enough to get to heaven by your own good works; you will be eternally disappointed because it is not what you do…but what HE HAS DONE.
• If you believe, you have done something so bad you will never be forgiven…you will never find true peace or know true forgiveness.
• If you believe that you can tip God and ignore His tithe then you will never know the full joy of receiving all that God has promised to those who obedient.
Have you ever noticed that GREED IS NO RESPECTER OF INCOME? It doesn’t matter if you make $25,000 or $5 million a year, materialism affects everyone. It is interesting we rarely consider ourselves materialistic. We simply CONVINCE ourselves we are just trying to attain a better life. It’s always other people who have the problem of being materialistic. WE ARE CAUGHT IN ONE OF THE GREATEST BATTLES A CHRISTIAN WILL FACE. THIS DEFINING MOMENT WILL IDENTIFY WHICH WORLD HOLDS YOUR HEART AND DIRECTS YOUR DECISIONS. The battle we face is the titanic struggle between what I call the ‘THINGDOM’ and ‘KINGDOM.’
KINGDOM LEADS TO RICHES, THINGDOM LEADS TO RUIN…BE VERY CAREFUL WHICH ROAD YOU CHOOSE.
I. DEFINING MOMENT ONE: WHEN YOU IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KINGDOM/THINGDOM (Matt. 6:24)
Jesus gave this distinction between THINGDOM & KINGDOM LIVING:
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 (NLT)
His Kingdom is the place God wants us to reflect His NATURE, His CHARACTER, and His GENEROSITY! This is goal of all believers is simple: WE LIVE IN A KINGDOM AND THEREFORE WE LIVE FOR AND SERVE THE KING.
One word that best describes people of THINGDOM…MATERIALISM. MATERIALISM BEGINS WHERE YOUR INCOME ENDS. THINGDOM RESIDENTS HAVE a PREOCCUPATION with things.
MATERIALISM IS NOT A TANGIBLE COMMODITY. IT’S AN INTANGIBLE CONDITION OF THE HEART. If you make $30,000 a year…You think the person making $60,000 a year is materialistic. You say, “They are materialistic.”
Where is the dividing point between MINE or THINE? What causes someone to be materialistic? NOT HOME, WATCH, CAR, BANK, VACATION…Materialism is first and foremost a CONDITION of the HEART.
Materialism is the FUEL that operates THINGDOM. Materialism is made up of two components; one part ENVY and one part GREED. Attitudes empower materialism.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE KINGDOM
• In His Kingdom God wants us to reside with Him.
• In His Kingdom God is for us and wants to bless us in every area of our life.
• In His Kingdom God is the author of the Blessing, we are the ones who are Blessed.
BLESSINGS IN THE KINGDOM ARE NOT JUST THE INTANGIBLES like peace, joy, patience and tranquility of the soul. BLESSINGS ARE ALSO TANGIBLES, THE STUFF WE NEED TO LIVE, because in God’s economy tangibles matter. As a result of being blessed, we can turn around and become blessings. If you live in His Kingdom, and if you know YOUR KING, then you understand this key KINGDOM principle: God owns it all. We’re just managers.
Our Stuff is the time, abilities, aptitudes and talents and he has also given us a certain amount of tangible stuff we need to live. Some have a big pile of stuff, medium pile, little-bitty pile of stuff. It doesn’t matter what size – God owns it!
How do we live consistently in His Kingdom? By being good stewards of the stuff…TIME, TALENT, TEASURE (material possessions) USE IT, ENJOY IT, SPEND IT, BRING IT and GIVE IT! Kingdomites enjoy their possessions by living a life of generosity. We understand the difference between MINE or THINE.
DISTRACTIONS FROM THE THINGDOM
THINGDOMITES live in the Land of ING! NOT a blessed place. Outside the boundaries of Kingdom. Thingdom Residents ‘The Land of Ing’ are easily identified – to them it’s all about… Own-ing - Earn-ing - Cloth-ing - Hous-ing – Driv-ing - Bling-bling - Ca-ching, Ca-ching!
Thingdomites believe they OWN their stuff. “IT’S MINE! NOT THINE!”
Both KINGDOM and THINGDOM consider money as essential part of life. Jesus talked about money a lot. JESUS SPOKE ABOUT MONEY AND POSSESSIONS MORE THAN HE TALKED ABOUT HEAVEN OR HELL OR FAITH OR EVEN PRAYER. Why do people get upset when you talk about a defining moment in regards to our possessions?
Because money is personal. We spend time and effort and energy trying to MAKE IT AND SAVE IT AND INVEST IT and, TWO ACTS THAT ARE DEFINITELY KINGDOM ACTION, WE BRING IT AND GIVE IT. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR MONEY AND OUR POSSESSIONS IMMEDIATELY COMMUNICATES OUR TRUE SPIRITUAL CITIZENSHIP! KINGDOMITES OR THINGDOMITES!
It is interesting to watch people’s reaction when I speak about money. If we understand this KINGDOM principle, we’ll influence others by building the one institution that Jesus left to us in this world, the local church; and we will have a blast building it together. Money is not only a test for us when we acquire it, but also a test to see how we treat others who are blessed by God.
REMEMBER DISTINCTION OF THINGDOM & KINGDOM LIVING: Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 (NLT)
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD…“Money is the root of all evil.” Not biblical truth:
“For the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)
If you LOVE money, it will lead you into THINGDOM. If I LEAD money, then money serves you as you honor HIS KINGDOM.
By the way…we all struggle between these two KINGDOMS. The Ruler of THINGDOM wants you to do believe it is YOUR MONEY, TALENT, STUFF and wants you to keep building your EMPIRE IN THIS WORLD! Your Spiritual Enemy can effectively keep you from KINGDOM living and stop the flow of God’s blessings.
THE DETOUR INTO THINGDOM
How does our Spiritual Enemy attract us to pull us into thingdom?
Road construction on I-95 between here and West Palm Beach has been going on for the past 200 years. Sometimes you get frustrated and try to find another ROAD. RULER OF THINGDOM HAS ALL KINDS OF EXIT ROADS…He encourages YOU to take a DETOUR and test drive through THINGDOM. Once you take that detour you will discover…
• THE HIGHWAY OF PRIDEWAY
First road he ever built and named after the devil’s greatest stronghold, PRIDE! Appeals to our EGO: “You the Man; You’re IT Girl!” IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
ON PRIDEWAY, MANAGEMENT TURNS INTO OWNERSHIP – MINE NOT THINE! ALL ABOUT IMPRESSING OTHERS: “HEY LT, I LOVE THAT SHIRT. IT’S ARMANI - $1,500.” “OH, MAN, LOOK AT MY CAR! OH YEAH! I FEEL THE RIDE…THE RIDE OF PRIDE.” You are most certainly in THINGDOM when you find yourself traveling on the Prideway!
• GUILTTRIP TURNPIKE
This TOLL ROAD! (By the way. Every road you travel on in THINGDOM is a toll road…you are going to pay the price for that detour.) The Thingdom roads run in the exact opposite direction of Prideway! Ruler begs you to take a ride on GUILTTRIP TURNPIKE. Prideway wants others to think that you paid more - Guilttrip Turnpike wants others to think you paid less. “L.T., I LOVE YOUR SHIRT.” “OH, THIS THING? IT’S A KNOCK OFF…GOT IN ON CLEARANCE AT T.J. MAX- 95% OFF.”
ENEMY WANTS US TO FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE GOD HAS BLESSED US. Some CHRISTIANS WALK AROUND EMBARRASSED BECAUSE OF GOD’S BLESSINGS IN THEIR LIVES. It’s unbelievable! And I understand this because I’ve been in ministry most of my professional life. And everybody knows that they used to pay preachers with chickens and vegetables! There is one more aspect of THINGDOM roadways you must look out for…
• DECEPTIVE DETOURS
Examine John 12:3-6. You will find these Deceptive Detours everywhere.
“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.” John 12:3-6 (NLT)
MARY ANOINTS JESUS’ FEET WITH PERFUME. HEART OF GENEROSITY. SHE IMMEDIATELY PASSES THE TEST OF MINE OR THINE! WHENEVER YOU FIND A HEART OF GENEROSITY YOU KNOW THEY ARE TRAVELING IN THE KINGDOM! HOWEVER, KINGDOMITES HAVE A WAY OF IRITATING THINGDOMITES – LOOK AT THE RESPONSE OF JUDAS!
He immediately attempts to distract everyone by taking a “Deceptive Detour” “Mary, what are you thinking? Why are you wasting perfume on that? That’s a year’s salary!” HERE WE GO WITH THE DECEPTIVE DETOUR….Judas said, “You could sell that perfume and give the money to the poor.”
HILARIOUS! SMOKE AND MIRRORS. Do you think Judas was concerned about the poor? No! He wanted the spotlight off of him CRITICAL TO Mary and the Deceptive Detour is the fastest road to take him to the destination. WE TAKE THIS SAME ROAD… “Wow, look at that house! I would sell that house and give the money to First Baptist Church, or I would use it to help set up a center to feed the poor.”
NO YOU WOULDN’T…YOU’RE TALKING LIKE A THINGDOMITE! You’re trying to take us for a ride on A DECEPTIVE DETOUR! It is nothing but envy and jealousy wrapped in spiritual packaging. How do we identify a Thingdomite when they start trying to take you on a Deceptive Detour? YOU NEVER SEE THINGDOMITES SELLING THEIR HOUSES, OR SACRIFICING OR BRINGING THEIR TITHE OR GIVING THEIR MONEY!
ILLUSTRATION: When I first became pastor at our church a man asked me to go to lunch and told me, “I made a pledge to help pay off the debt for this building. I wrote a down huge number on my pledge card. I know I didn’t have that money or anyway to get that amount of money; but I gave the card personally to the pastor so he would be impressed. I knew other people that said they gave large amounts and I knew they would never be able to honor those commitments. I know I was wrong.”
Sounds a lot like THINGDOMESE…the language of envy and greed. It’s materialism, a preoccupation with things, and if we’re not careful, it can destroy you and one day you will find yourself a prisoner or Thingdom. Deceptive Detours are designed to get the spotlight off of us and onto other people’s stuff in an attempt to discredit KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM GIVING!
Prideway, Guilttrip Turnpike and Deceptive Detours are all roads in THINGDOM and how does the RULER OF THINGDOM TRAP US?
How do Thingdom Traps get their grip on our lives? It is the grip of greed, the grip of envy, the grip of materialism, and the grip of self-pride!
I want to share the BASIC principles that clearly help you have a DEFINING MOMENT when it comes to conquering the battle between THINGDOM and KINGDOM! A DEFINING MOMENT BEGINS WITH A DECLARATION FROM THE HEART!
II. KINGDOM DECLARATIONS
A. ADMIRE WITHOUT NEEDING TO ACQUIRE
Here’s a principle that God continues to teach me. “Hey, man, that’s a cool car; great house, super vacation, I love your widescreen television…whatever.” Compliment it and then say to yourself, “You know, I’m so glad I don’t have to own that, paint that, insure that, protect that, pay for that and freak out about that.” That’s a liberating aspect of learning the difference between KINGDOM and THINGDOM! My dear friend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jim Bennett taught me the principle of Admire without needing to acquire. He has the 30 day rule. Admire it for 30 days, pray about it, and see if you really need it. The 30 day rule will help you to avoid an impulsive trip to THINGDOM.
Philippians 4:11: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I’ve learned,” (By the way, this is a learned principle,) “in whatever state I am, to be content.” When you’re not content with your contents, I’m in trouble? YOU BUY STUFF WITH MONEY YOU DON’T HAVE. I’M TALKING ABOUT THOSE PLASTIC PEOPLE EATERS THAT WILL DESTROY YOU!
B. BE REAL WITH GOD.
As a Kingdomite you must always remember, you are spending, saving, bringing and giving before an audience of One, Jesus Christ!
“For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16 (NLT) WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGDOM!
In Thingdom you must be ready for confusion and every evil attack that erroneously lies to you and says, “This is MINE…not THINE.”
C. DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Developing an attitude of gratitude is simply having a…“Thank you Lord mentality.”
“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 (NLT) THINGDOMITES WILL DO JUST THE OPPOSITE.
Do a quick relational check of the people you hang out with in your life – Attitude of gratitude? ALWAYS COMPLAINING. “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)
I love to hang out with Kingdom people who are generous. When measuring generosity…Identify the people who rejoice with you when you rejoice, who weep with you when you weep. One Final Kingdom Declaration is…
D. LEARN THE GRACE OF GIVING
“Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT)
I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT TITHING.
We’re talking about a lifestyle of generosity! Remember: In the two worlds of THINGDOM AND KINGDOM there are basically two types of getters. THINGDOMITES ARE VELCRO GETTERS—stuff sticks to you and your goal is to get to get more. Kingdomites are TEFLON givers—the stuff doesn’t stick, we give to get to give again.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 (NLT)
I LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE STUFF AWAY. “Everything I have, everything I am, He owns it all and it is all about Him and His Kingdom.” When you give you’re blessed. When you’re on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible favor of God then learn to be a blessing. “THINGDOMITES ARE MADE OF VELCRO, EVERYTHING STICKS. KINGDOMITES ARE PURE TEFLON, NOTHING STICKS.”
CONCLUSION
“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 (NLT)
HERE IS YOUR DEFINING MOMENT: “DO YOU LIVE IN KINGDOM OR THINGDOM?”
If you are living in THINGDOM then you are declaring YOU are the RULER and master of your life. YOU CONTROL YOUR TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. If that is the case then I urge you to carefully consider an even more important spiritual fact related to your life: If you would die today where would you spend eternity? THINGDOM or KINGDOM. This is critical because at death everything in THINGDOM burns up but in Kingdom there is life eternal. The choice is yours…RICHES OR RUIN!
