HAVE A JESUS-CENTERED VIEW ON MONEY

God's ultimate purpose for money is to grow us spiritually.

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1. God wants to grow us spiritually by growing our faith (Luke 6:38)

 

2. God wants to finance His earthly ministry through us for His glory and our good (Mal 3:10)

 

3. God wants to unite Christians who have needs with those who have surplus (2 Cor 8:14-15)

 

4. God want to reveal clearly His infinite power (Duet 8:18)

 

5. God wants to help give direction in our lives (Prov 3:5-6)

 

6. God wants to fulfill His promise to supply our needs (Matt 6:31-33; Phil 4:19)

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IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN FINANCIAL BONDAGE

If even the smallest area of our financial life gets in the way of God's will - we are in financial bondage and worshiping the idol of money.

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1.You have more faith in your material goods than in your eternal God (Job 31:24-28; Matthew 6:19-20)

 

2. You place any desire or motive above those of God (1 Timothy 6:8-9)

 

3. You have a burning desire to get rich quick (Proverbs 28:20,22)

 

4. You have to delay paying bills that are due (Proverbs 22:7)

 

5. You compromise your Christian ethic and fail to honor moral obligation (James 5:4)

 

6. You fail to make investments for future needs (Matthew 25:14-20)

 

7. You do not give from a willing and cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)

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GIVE OUT OF GRACE

Let it be guided by God's Word.

 

1. View giving as investing with God (Matt 6:19-21; Luke 6:38)

• We get a return that will last eternally

• When we invest in the perishable, we are consumed with maintaining what we have

 

2. If you can't handle money, you won't be able to handle spiritual riches either (Luke 16:11)

• How we handle money is usually a reflection of our spiritual maturity

• God has said He will meet our needs when we give (Phil 4:14-20)

  • Not to give is to essentially call God a liar

 

3. Giving is to be sacrificial (Mark 12:42-44, 2 Cor 8:1-3)

• The essence of giving is sacrifice (Gen 22)

• Are we to give 1/10th of our money and that's that?

  • No, we are to give sacrificially - give until it hurts

    • For some of you that will be less than 10%

    • For others that will be more than 10%

    • The sacrifice matches the pain felt in giving

 

4. Giving is not just a matter of what we have (Luke 16:10)

• Faithfulness is what pleases God

• You don't have to be rich to be sacrificial

 

5. Each individual determines the amount to give (Luke 19:8)

• Some people rigidly give 10%

• Some people give without thought

• Some people give like it's a tip at a restaurant

  • None of these are God's way:

    • Give with an attitude of prayer and contemplation

    • Ask God what you should give

    • You may need to reassess your giving

 

6. Giving can be in response to a need (spontaneous and special; Acts 2:42-47; 11:27; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Phil 4:14-20)

• If someone comes to you with a need - you can and (probably should) meet it

• Giving to the poor:

  • Not every random person on the street - be wise and discerning

  • Not many around here - still our responsibility

  • Organizations like PHX Rescue Mission can help with that

  • https://phoenixrescuemission.org

• Special Offerings

  • Big Church Planting Give​ (Spring)

  • Big Missions Give (Winter)

• Missions and Missionaries​​

 

7. Giving should demonstrate love, not law (2 Cor 8:8)

• Give out of an overflow of who God is and what He's done

 

8. Giving should be planned (1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8:6-7)

• Don't let your giving be hap-hazardous but done in an orderly fashion

• Be consistent in your giving so that the church can meet needs as they arise

 

9. Giving should be generous (2 Cor 8:2-3; Phil 4:14-20)

• As Christ has given to us, so we should give

• Live open handedly

  • Receive and give - closing the hand blocks both actions

 

10. Giving should be joyful (2 Cor 9:7)

• Our attitude in giving is as important as the act of giving itself

 

11. Giving should be complete (2 Cor 8:5)

• Our full "complete" discipleship extends far beyond out giving to God

  • The NT teaches total commitment in all areas of our lives

• An over emphasis on the tithe has kept us from making any real sacrifices

  • Don't be stunted in your spiritual growth because you're on financial auto-pilot

 

12. Giving biblically always results in God's blessing

(Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:6-11; Phil 4:19)

• The same as in all areas of our lives being obedient to God's Word always opens up His blessing and provision

  • Allow Him to go to work in your life