Thinking Clearly About Money

MUCH OF THIS SERMON AND ITS OUTLINE IS TAKEN FROM A SERMON FROM RICK WARREN’S CHURCH WHICH OFFERED A SERIES ON THINKING CLEARLY ABOUT VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

THINKING CLEARLY ABOUT YOUR FINANCES

Sermon Outline Pastor Rick

Glenville New Life Community Church PCUSA

1/30/05

Growing & Building In 2005

Proverbs 3:1-10 Luke 16:1-11

“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,

who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11 (NIV)

FIVE HABITS FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM

I. EARN _________________________________________

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to people--no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living.” 2 Thess. 3:12 (NLT)

II. PLAN ___________________________________________

“Riches can disappear fast... so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and herds.” Pr. 27:23-24 (LB)

STARTING POINT:

“Get the facts at any price!” Pr. 23:23 (LB)

“Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly you will never have enough.” Pr. 21:5 (GN)

“…Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” Pr. 21:20b (GN)

III. SAVE __________________________________________

“The wise person saves for the future..” Pr. 21:20a (LB)

“Money that comes easily disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow.” Pr. 13:11 (NCV)

IV. RETURN __________________________________________

“‘Bring to My Storehouse a full tenth of what you earn... Test Me in this,’ says the Lord. ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need’.”

Mal. 3:10 (NCV)

“On every Lord’s Day you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” 1 Cor. 16:2 (LB)

“Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns... to overflow!” Pr. 3:9-10 (LB)

V. ENJOY _______________________________________________________________

“It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to always be wanting something else.”

Eccl. 6:9 (GN)

“Be content with what you have...” Heb. 13:5 (NIV)

What most people do: The order God blesses:

1. Earn it 1. Earn it

2. Enjoy it 2. ____________________

3. Repay it (past) 3. ____________________

4. Save it (future) 4. ____________________

5. Give it (eternal) 5. ____________________

“Why spend money on what does not satisfy?” Isa. 55:2 (NIV)

“If I have put my trust in money, if my happiness depends on wealth... it would mean that I denied the God of heaven.” Job 31:24,28 (LB)

Pray this in your heart: “Father, I want to follow Your financial principles in 2005. Forgive me for spending more than I make. Forgive me for unwise purchases. Help me to get back on track with Your plan. Today, I commit myself to Your financial principles. With Your help in 2005 I’m going to start keeping better records. I’m going to learn to plan my spending. With Your help I’m going to save some for the future. And I’m going to put You first in my finances by returning the tithe back to You. Help me to enjoy what I have. Jesus Christ, I invite You to be the manager of my life. I want to trust You with my finances and with my future. In Your name I pray. Amen.”

THINKING CLEARLY ABOUT YOUR FINANCES

Sermon Outline Pastor Rick

Glenville New Life Community Church PCUSA

1/30/05

Growing & Building In 2005

Proverbs 3:1-10 Luke 16:1-11

As part of our theme , Growing and Building in 2005, we will be doing a series of messages on thinking clearly. Today we’re going to start with the area of finances. Why start here. Well first There are more divorces over finance than there are over sex. Fifty-one percent of all divorces occur over financial tension.

Making a lot of money is no guarantee that you know how to manage it. The second is that God does not want us living under financial tension and stress. God has a plan that can get us and keep us out of debt. This will be a sermon you will probably here once every year.

The Bible says that the way that you handle your money determines how much God can bless your life. Jesus said it. The Bible says that the way that you handle your money is the evidence of your spiritual maturity. And if you don’t manage your money well, if you’re not responsible with your finances, the Bible says that God is not going to trust you with the responsibility of true spiritual blessings.

Jesus said this in Luke 16:11, “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealthy, who will trust you with true riches?” Your personal responsibility with your money determines how much God can bless your life. Finances are tests of character.