Video: The Truth About Debt (3:31 minutes - available at SermonCentral.com)
What Every Christian Needs To know About Stewardship. We established that God owns it all. All we are and all we have. If God owns it all, what does that make us? His Stewards. If we are stewards and managers of all of God’s things, don’t you think you might of left us few instructions on how to use it all? Well, you may ask, how spiritual is money management? A lot more than you think. Do you realize that:
Jesus talked much about money. Sixteen of the thirty-eight parables were concerned with how to handle money and possessions. In the Gospels, an amazing one out of ten verses (288 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions. [1] In fact, 15 percent of everything Jesus ever taught was on the topic of money and possessions-more than His teachings on heaven and hell combined. Ok, so the Bible is full of verses about money.
This begs the question "why?"
[Because] there is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. [It has been said] that you can get a good feel for someone's spiritual commitment by looking at two pieces of tangible evidence -- their day-planner and their checkbook. While this may be a bit simplistic, it's certainly true that how we spend both our time and money is a good reflection of who we are. Given this, is it really so surprising that the Bible talks so much about financial issues? [2]
In light of this, should we not focus on what God’s word has to say about how we manage the assets and monetary resources with which we have been entrusted? The fact is: We Need More Teaching About Money, Not Less (Sermon Title)
Our focal passage today comes out of a larger teaching and parable of Jesus. I will put it into context in a moment but I want to examine a small portion of that teaching this morning: Mark 4:18–20 (NKJV)
Money magazine declared money was the number one obsession of Americans. Newsweek reports there is a new plane of consciousness called "transcendental acquisition." Its cover story of 8/27/01 tells of a woman saddled with debt who charged a diving trip to French East Indies. Instead of trying to break free, it's as if she's given up. She said, "I’ve spoiled myself and can’t change my habits." Advertisers say if we buy more products, we’ll be happier, fulfilled, comfortable, popular, cooler. Yet they never warn of excess or hint that having things won’t make us happy. 34% of Americans in 2000 ranked shopping as their favorite activity! 70% visit malls at least once a week. That’s more than go to churches or synagogues! The average American shops 6 hours a week, but only plays with their children 40 minutes. By age 20, the average American has seen around one million commercials.[3]
We are people consumed with money, and I want us to pause to look at what the Bible tells us about money and the use of money. There are three aspects of money:
1. The practical aspect: This involves teaching people how to organize their finances and manage their money. We have all heard at some point teaching on the Good Samaritan, but have you considered this parable from a financial perspective? In Luke 10, the Good Samaritan not only gave of himself, but he was also a good steward. He saved money in advance for an unknown and unforeseen need. Because he was a saver, he had a surplus from which to express his generosity to the wounded traveler. Some his personal funds which he used on the wounded man certainly may have been a sacrifice, the Samaritan may have to go without something in some way. But he had resources from which to use because he had managed wisely the financial recourses with which he was entrusted. He did not throw his money away but came back to check up on how the man was doing and to see if the funds were being used as he intended.
2. The emotional aspect: This is rarely addressed and usually leads to bad financial decisions. When it comes to money, if the heart overrules the head, the result is frequently disastrous. Just follow teenagers around the mall to see what I mean. Financial decisions need to be made with a clear mind and with all due prayer, realizing where our true treasures lie:
Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Very little in life must be done in haste or at the height of emotion:
Proverbs 28:22 (NKJV) A man with an evil eye hastens after riches
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. The scriptures bear out that we must have a financial plan.
3. The spiritual aspect: People will never be good stewards if they do not align their financial decision making with the wisdom of God’s Word. It’s that simple. A powerful example of how our relationship to money impacts our spiritual lives is found in the parable of the four seeds and the four soils in Mark 4. Beginning in verse 18, Jesus explains the meaning of the third seed: [4]
Let me put this into perspective: Jesus is teaching in Mark 4:3-9 about farmer who sows seeds, some on the wayside or walkways, some stony ground, some among the thorns, and the last on fertile ground. Jesus explains the parable to His disciples in verses 14-20. The seed is the word of God, the scripture, whether its preached or read. We are the different soils. Many people receive the Word, but the Word takes root in so few. We are concentrating on the Word that is sown among the thorns:
Mark 4:18–19 (NKJV) Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
The focus here is on the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things. Preoccupation with the world, one will lose interest with in the Word. Often those with wealth, are preoccupied with getting more and more wealth, more and more things. Keeping up with the Jones drive many to the poor house.
“The deceitfulness of wealth” draws them with the promise of great good. This involves buying things you do not need to impress people you do not like with money you do not have.[5]
This is not just wealthy people, for often times the poor is preoccupied with the desire for things. I’ve been to poor homes where the complaint is not enough money to buy food or pay the rent but the they have 60+ inch HDTV and they have plenty of funds for cigarettes. Our poor in this nation is still wealthier than 90% of the rest of the world. I have found that most people can acquire the things they really want -vice the things they really need. Riches are deceitful and Satan uses the things of this world to distract. With this in mind, let me briefly give you 10 Biblical principles for money management. (From John Orthberg, “10 Financial Commandments) [6]
1. Remember who the owner is. We must remember that everything belongs to God, including our God given talent, abilities, energy, and health. We need to give God the glory for our jobs as well as our bank accounts, our families, and our wellbeing.
Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
We need to praise God even when things are not lining up like we want, when the money is tight, health is questionable, and many things seem bleak. Remember God has all in control and may He may be busy teaching us dependence on Him.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Not that all things are good, but God works for our good, if we are among those who love God and called according to His purposes.
2. Embrace work. Paul tells us that if a man does not work, neither shall he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Work is honorable and we must earn our keep.
Colossians 3:22–24 (NKJV) Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
We need to remember that our ability to work is from the Lord and all we do must be done as if for Him.
3. Avoid debt.
Proverbs 22:7 (NKJV) The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
We can be slaves to our debts. Take for instance a single credit card debt of $7,500 with 18% interest. Paying the minimum of $150 a month, it will take 30 years and you’ll pay a total of $23,000. We’ve become a slave to the credit card company.
Save up and pay cash, you will save in the long run. Some debt is unavoidable, like a house mortgage. But we do not need the newest or fanciest car. Buy only what you can afford.
4. Teach your children about money management. One reason people are in such financial mess is they never learned to manage money. It has become generational. Children from an early age need to be taught the value of money and how to manage money. Children need to be taught how to give to God. My parents taught me the principle of tithing, and I tithe today, because what me parents taught me.
When I was 25, I commented to my Mother that money was tight so instead of dropping $5 or $10 in the offering on Sunday, I had to cut back to 1-2 dollars.
I thought she was going to knock me up side of the head. She said “I thought I taught you better than that.” Then she said something I will never forget: “How can you afford not to tithe?”
Proverbs 1:8 (NKJV) My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
5. Have a Plan. Have a plan to get out of debt, have a plan to save, have a plan to give.
Luke 14:28 (NKJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it
Our giving must be planned. Paul called for the giving to be planned and systematic:
1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV) On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
6. Know when to say “Enough.” Do you have enough? Do you really need that added luxury? We often confuse our needs with our wants. Will we declare the Jones the winner and refuse to keep up with them? Will we be content with what we have? Paul shad this to say about contentment:
Philippians 4:11–12 (NKJV) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
We all quote the verse that follows (4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me), but do we understand the context. I can be content with what God provides.
7. Do not compare. There will always be those who will have more than us, there will always be those who have less. At many work places, employees are not aloud to talk pay status, or disclose to others their compensation. For others, if asked how much we make, we will say its personal. Why is that? We attached our status, our social level to our income. Ee are called to be impartial.
James 2:3–4 (NKJV) and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
We are not to compare but be impartial with all.
8. Be aware of those in need. Look around. I don’t care who you are, there are those in need greater than you.
Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV) He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Luke 14:13–14 (NKJV) But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
9. Seek wise council. – Then follow their advice. I’m not very smart in a lot of things, so I see the advice of those who are. Then I follow their advice.
If left to myself, I do stupid things. I bounce financial decisions, especially major one, off of others, especially those smarter than I.
Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
10. One day we will have a final audit. We will answer for all that has been done or left undone.
Luke 12:48b (NKJV) For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Never once have I ever heard of anyone on their deathbed say they wished they had made more money. I never heard them say they were happy with their stock portfolio or their 401K. But I have heard regrets about time not spent with family and friends. I have heard regret about things left undone. One day Jesus will call for each one of to give an account of what we have done or left undone.
I want to go back to where we started, the parable Jesus told about sower and the seed, and the seed being the word of God. Is the word being choked out by the “cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things?” At that final audit, what will we show we have done with the word?
Mark 4:20 (NKJV) But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Are we fertile ground? Do we move forward with what God had entrusted to us, following His Word, the instructions He has given us? So much is taught in the Bible, especially the NT concerning money. We have to deal with money or the lack of it. Will we follow the Word’s instruction?
The Word points us to Jesus. Do we honor Jesus in all we say and do? With our money? With our time and energies? If we honor Jesus with our lips, do we honor Him with our lives and with our wallets?
[1] www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1996/december/410.html
[2] www.freemoneyfinance.com/2009/02/why-the-bible-talks-so-much-about-money.html
[3] www.sermoncentral.com/sermon-illustrations/71798/greed-by-tom-conant?ref=TextIllustrationSerps
[4] The 3 aspects of money management was taken from the article - What I Wish I Had Known about Stewardship | CT Pastors; www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/channel/utilities/print.html?type=article&id=135909 4/5
[5] R. Kent Hughes, Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior, vol. 1, Preaching the Word (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, 1989), 108.
[6] Borrowed from John Orthberg, “The 10 Financial Commandment” in Preaching Today, www.preachingtoday.com/sermons/sermons/2013/august/10-financial-commandments.html
