“IF MONEY COULD TALK”

1. What is our present financial lifestyle?

2. How do we use and view Money?

3. Money-Misused

4. Saving vs. Hoarding

5. Is MONEY the root of all evil?

6. Christians Attitude towards money.

7. Overcoming Financial mistakes.

8. Choose lifestyle 3!

9. The BLESSINGS of those in need!

Money specifically was mentioned by Christ some 30 plus times, and mentioned specifically some 280 times in the Bible

Many other times was it taught as well without directly mentioning money by Christ.

It is one of the most common talked about things in the Bible for a simple reason.

A person's attitude towards their money or possessions in relation to giving for support of ministries, the poor etc is a very accurate physical barometer on the reality of a persons faith and trust in God.

That saying, "put your money where your mouth is!", completely relates to matters of faith.

Three Financial Lifestyle Choices

We really have three lifestyle choices financially, regardless of our

income level.

1.Living above our means. This lifestyle will mean increasing debt

and stress to be sure.

2. Living within our means. This is what we all assume is the right

way to live. It will result in a steady, balanced cash flow and will give a

person freedom from the bondage of debt and significant financial

worries.

3. Living below our means. This is the lifestyle many Christians have

never considered, but need to. It will also result in a steady, balanced

cash flow and freedom, but it also accomplishes more. Living below our

means really prepares us to experience some additional blessings.

What’s yours?

Without it modern life would not be as convenient as it is today.

Imagine the world without money…

Money is an invention of humans (who are creations of GOD). Just

like any other thing in this world, human inventions, as well as all

matters, can be used for good or bad. Besides, evil things exist before

money does, and still exist without its presence.

Is MoNey the root of all Evil?

“Money-Misused” It is the “use” of it that makes it evil…

Where do we use it for?

Pride

Money is often used—or rather, misused —by people who want to impress

others with their own importance. This is a dangerous form of pride. Some

people spend far more than they ought to spend (more than they can afford to

spend) on belongings just to show off. They get seriously into debt because

they are not content with simpler, humbler things which they can afford. So

they are never in a position to help others with their money. Just to show off,

such people “fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in

destruction and perdition (loss of the soul or hell)” (1 Timothy 6:9).

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the

love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God

abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17)

So what do we do when we want things

we can’t afford?

“We assume that the solution is to either increase our

income or to increase our debt..”

"Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he

has no desire to get wisdom?" – Proverbs 17:16

Our Heart’s Desire

“What attitude compels me to want things I can’t afford?”

Or maybe we can ask these questions first:

Worldly desire, Discontentment, Envy

“Is it right to crave for the things I can’t afford?” NO

“What’s the point of getting the things I can’t afford?” Self-gratification.

Self indulgence: God can be an afterthought or source of your greatest joy.

Are you trying to find happiness elsewhere, or through Christ? Don’t think just

because you have a lot of stuff that you’ll avoid paying for your sins in the end.

James 5:5 “You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every

desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.”

Power

Are you using people to get what you

want?

People with more money and people with less

money exploit each other when it comes to

money, thus, both are using “power”…

GREED

In fact, many people are common in just one aim: to get more money and the things money can buy, in the quickest and easiest way possible.

This constant lusting after money

and worldly things Jesus calls

“covetousness”—a word which means

‘eagerness to get more’.

Gambling, sweepstakes, raffle

draws, avoiding income tax, giving

short change, workers deceiving

employers and stealing—all these

are examples of covetousness.

These evils are very common

because unconverted men and

women are naturally selfish.

FEAR

-What if I don't have enough money?

What will be my future like?

To save or not to save? To invest or not to Invest?

“When SAVING becomes HOARDING”

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, …but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mat 6:19-21

Hoarding is a general term for a behavior that leads people or animals to

accumulate food or other items during periods of scarcity.

Where is your heart?

Saving is income not spent, or deferred consumption. Methods of saving

include putting money aside in a bank or pension plan. Saving also includes

reducing expenditures, such as recurring costs. (source: Wikipedia)

Saving items seen by most people as unneeded or worthless, (i.e., not true collectibles). Compulsively buying or saving excessive quantities of items of any kind. Treating all saved items as equally valuable--whether or not the object has sentimental, financial or functional value. Experiencing intense anxiety or distress when attempting to discard-or even think about discarding-what most others view as useless objects. Engaging in saving activity to combat anxiety-provoking thoughts such as: "What if I run out?" "What if I need to know something and don't have the information available?" "What if I put it away and can't find it?" "What if the way I organize it isn't the right way?" "What if I throw it away but the day comes when I really need it?" Being unable to use furniture, rooms, or entire homes in standard ways due to saved items. Significant deterioration in housekeeping due to excessive clutter.

Symptoms of Obsessive Hoarding:

In personal relationships, money is often

a source of conflict.

Storing, on the other hand, is best defined as preparing and setting aside

extra supply with the intent of restoration and resupply when needed. Storing

is not motivated by fear, but by faith in our God and His Word.

A more accurate understanding of hoarding, then, is to hide something valuable

away (a treasure) with the intent of retrieving it later for one’s own use. It

connotes worry over not having enough in the future. Jesus discouraged this

attitude in telling the parable of the rich fool. (Luke 12:15-21)

Greed for money can lead to family problems

Search your heart before God that you might be aware of any

greed

Some Reasons Not To Invest: 1.To build a personal empire. Remember, He who dies with the most toys is still dead — and has a date with God to discuss how he used the blessings God loaned him.

2. To achieve "happiness." Money doesn’t insure happiness. Surveys show that 80 percent of lottery winners are unhappier after they win than they ever were before they won. 3. Out of fear and a lack of trust in God’s ability to provide. This has been my own personal stumbling block. Far too many of my money decisions over the years have been fear- and worry-based. Thankfully God is helping me understand that no amount of money can guarantee true security.

“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my

daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal,

and so dishonor the name of my God.” -Proverbs 30:8-9

Jesus knew that the inside of man must be changed before the outside will

change. A hoarder will continue to hoard until he has a spiritual heart

transplant. Is your treasure in heaven or on earth?

Many people think that this is Bible teaching. But they are wrong!

Look up the quotation from 1 Timothy 6:10. This says that “the

love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”. Jesus told us a

similar thing: “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches

choke the Word” (Matthew 13:22).

The Bible says many things about MONEY..

“Money is the root of all evil”—?

is the root of all evil in

the world (Matthew 15:19; Romans 5:12;

James 1:15)

If money could talk ?

It might say, “I am overused,

but, misused, yet being

accused of things I cannot be

able to- of you, sinners of the

world…”

A person who wants to be Godly and contented

will resist this desire for worldly things.

Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man’s

life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he

possesses”

Principles From the Proverbs on

Money

Honor God with your wealth.

•Prioritize your giving; give to Him first (3:9).

•God will often bless people materially who give first to him (3:10; 13:21).

Lesson 1: When it comes to money, put God first (Matt. 6:24).

Remember that wisdom is more important than money.

•Wisdom often brings enduring wealth (8:18, 21).

•Wisdom yields better fruit than money (8:20).

•Wisdom enables one to rightly use money (17:16).

•Wisdom gives one proper restraint in the pursuit of money (23:4).

Lesson 2: Ask God for wisdom in dealing with money (cf. James 1:5).

Remember that righteousness is more important than money.

•Righteous people can have great riches that involve no trouble (15:6).

•A poor, but blameless man (i.e. one who is righteous) is better off (i.e. before

God) than a rich, but perverse man (28:6).

•God often rewards the righteous with money (13:21).

•It is better to have a little money with righteousness than much with injustice

(16:8).

Lesson 3: Seek uprightness in money matters (cf. 2 Cor. 8:21).

Remember that fearing God is more important than money.

•Fearing God is better than a lot of money (15:16)

•Humility and the fear of God often leads to the acquisition of money (22:4).

Lesson 4: Remember to whom we must give an account (Rom. 14:10)!

People, diligent at what they do, often acquire much wealth.

•Diligent people, in contrast to lazy people, often have more money (10:4).

•All hard work brings a profit whereas mere talk accomplishes nothing (14:23).

•Acquiring wealth takes diligent planning; anything less may end up in ruin

(21:5).

•People who cannot control their spending habits end up with nothing (21:17).

Lesson 5: Plan for your financial future as far as it depends upon you.

Recognize the limitations of money.

•Money can do nothing to deliver someone from the

wrath of God (11:4).

•Money is very temporal and lasts but a short time (23:5;

27:24).

•Money cannot be trusted in for it will lead to one's

downfall (11:28). Trust, instead, in God (28:25).

Lesson 6: Be sober about money; keep it in perspective (1

Tim. 6:6-10)!

Recognize the potential for good that money

properly used can have.

•Money can provide protection from certain problems and

alleviate certain stresses (10: 15).

•Money can be left as an inheritance to help one's

descendants in this life (13:22).

•An industrious wife can make sufficient money to help

he family (31:18).

Lesson 7: Be prepared to use your money to good ends

(cf. Phil. 4:14).

Recognize and avoid the evil that money can cause in

relationships.

•Rich people tend to receive more attention from others than poor

people do. There is often favoritism (14:20; cf. James 2:11ff).

•If you are rich, be careful of people who desire your friendship (19:4a).

•If you are poor, do not be surprised if people abandon you for a rich

friend (19:4b; cf. 19:7).

•Those with money often become the target of thieves et al. (13:8).

•The poor person can often see through the facade of the rich person

who thinks he knows it all (28:11).

•A good reputation with people is better than much money (22:1).

•Because of money people often try to pretend to be something they're

not; they live a lie (13:7).

•Rich people often "lord it over" poor people (22:7).

Lesson 8: The rich and the poor must remember that God made them

both (22:2); humility is the order of the day.

Giving generously often leads to acquiring further wealth and

spiritual benefits, but poverty awaits the stingy.

•Generosity, not stinginess often leads to having more money (11:24).

•Generosity often leads to the giver being spiritually refreshed (11:25).

•Those who are stingy often end up with nothing (11:24b;11:26b; 28:22).

Lesson 9: Give generously (2 Cor. 9:6, 7).

Money gained by unjust means leads to naught, whereas the

monetary blessing of God brings no trouble.

•Money gained by dishonest means dwindles away fast (13:11).

•People who oppress others for money can come to poverty because of it

(22:16a).

Lesson 10: Earn your money honestly (cf. Acts 24:16; 2 Thes. 3:7-9).

Overcoming Financial Mistakes

1. Pray for wisdom to learn from the financial trial we created

(James 1:5). God gives wisdom “without finding fault/reproach.” God doesn’t

just give wisdom to people who did everything right!

2. Be Content (1 Timothy 6:8)

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can

take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and

clothing, we will be content with that.”

Someone who wants to become a steward has to address the internal

greed issue. He or she must think differently about buying things and

about giving and saving. The love of money must be replaced with the

love of God.

3. Pursue God instead of money (1 Timothy

6:11) "But you, man of God, flee from all this,

[the love of money – v. 10] and pursue

righteousness, godliness, faith, love…”

Like a person coming off of an addiction, there has to be a plan to replace the

substance or activity to which they are addicted. When money and possessions

have gripped our lives, we need to replace that with a new focus on God and

godliness. Becoming a steward of money is actually part of establishing an

authentic relationship with God!

4. Accept God’s Discipline (Hebrews 12:10-11)

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may

share in his holiness. {11} …it produces a harvest

of righteousness and peace for those who have

been trained by it.”

We might wish that by confessing our financial mistakes we have taken care of

the problems we have created, but life rarely works like that. There will be

consequences. We must accept the pain of the discipline. It won’t go away in a

day or a year even. But we know that God disciplines us for our good.

5. Listen to counsel (Proverbs 12:15)

“The way of a fool seems right to him, but

a wise man listens to advice."

A final crucial part of that process of overcoming poor stewardship is the step

of listening to and heeding advice.

A fool always blames other people or bad circumstances, but never looks in the

mirror. The most serious financial problem we can have is to insist that we are

doing the right thing. The most important financial step you will ever take

may be to listen to advice. A wise person asks another wise person to be his or

her mirror by giving advice.

There is hope, regardless of whether your financial hardship is because of

circumstances beyond your control or the result of financial mistakes. And the

amazing thing is that if we begin to submit to God’s ownership as a steward,

our hard times could be the greatest blessing we ever experience.

Why should we consider living below our means? First of all, it’s the key to

contentment – because we constantly realize there are things we choose not to

buy.

Secondly, when we spend less than we earn, we are free to give more than we

even planned.

Thirdly, when I spend less than I earn, my stewardship has a good chance of

outlasting my own life. For one thing, if I’m a parent, I can be an example to

my children.

our adult children may or may not be able to live at the level we live. Maybe

the larger problem often is that children follow the philosophy of their parents

that they should spend all the money they get. But if we as parents

consistently demonstrate contentment by limiting our lifestyle, that’s the

principle they can learn. And we are doing them and our grandchildren a huge

favor.

Choose Lifestyle 3!

The Blessings of Financial Need

God uses financial hard times for our good. They are indeed the proverbial

blessing in disguise. Our challenge is to accept and take advantage of those

financial struggles in some of the ways that God intended.

1. Need teaches us to appreciate God’s presence and promises (Hebrews

13:4; Philippians 4:11-13)

The writer to the Hebrews exhorts us to be content because God has said, “I will

never leave you or forsake you.” Paul was actually content without food because

He was strengthened by Christ (Philippians 4:13)! Can you imagine being

content when you are hungry for a prolonged period? When we have real

financial needs, dependence on Christ becomes a reality that only an impossible

situation can create.

2. God is praised when He provides our needs (2 Corinthians 9:12-13

“men will praise God…for you generosity.”)

The God of the universe had millions of things to do, but He saw our financial

need and supplied something specific for us. The personal nature of those

miracles overwhelms me. Who am I to receive such personalized attention from

the eternal God? It is reason to worship.

3. Need teaches us the humility of accepting help from others

(Philippians 4:14-16

“you sent me aid again and again

when I was in need”

What is harder than forced humility? It’s a lot easier on our ego to give than to

receive. In fact much “charitable giving” really is motivated by pride and the

recognition that comes with it. Receiving can be the much greater challenge to

our character. There is something about receiving that goes against our ego.

But those times can be greatly used by God to actually confirm in our hearts

that we are dependent on God. When we are forced to receive, we realize that

we are not as capable or shrewd financially as we would like to think we are.

4. Need helps us understand the struggle of others : 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“who comforts us… so we can comfort”

Going through financial hard times and seeing God work to correct and teach

us is worth sharing with others who are going through similar struggles. Let’s

not waste the hard things or the good things God has done for us financially.

Let’s use what we are learning about stewardship through our experiences to

teach and encourage others. Our stewardship growth can become a significant

personal ministry.

5. Need teaches us how to correct mistakes (Hebrews 12:5 – “it

produces a harvest of righteousness”).

Very simply, we can learn from our mistakes. We should not be the same

after God takes us through the process of making and correction financial

mistakes. If we think more like stewards managing God’s money, we have

also grown spiritually.

6. Need gives us opportunity to teach our children about stewardship

and God’s financial provision (2 Kings 4:1-7).

Maybe the biggest blessing that parents can gain from financial struggle

and learning stewardship will be seen in their children. We are responsible

to teach financial stewardship to the next generation. And the best way to

teach something is when we have had first hand experience.

A Wonderful Example

When the Lord Jesus wanted to show us a supreme example of how to

use money to God’s glory, whom did he choose? A millionaire spending

huge sums to pro-vide schools and hospitals and libraries? No, a poor

widow who gave 2 mites (the smallest coins) as a freewill offering: so

small, yet how great—greater than all the other offerings, for it was all

that she had. She is a great example to us of someone with the right

priorities in her life. She knew that service to God was far more

important than worldly wealth.

Mark 12:41-44 41

Luke 21:1-4 1

The Jews were instructed to give to the Temple and to the poor as part of their service to God. (So are we). One day Jesus sat at the Temple and watched people putting money into the offering boxes. Some people were rich and gave lots of money. Some gave money, but were unhappy about it. Then an poor woman, a widow, came up to the boxes. The poor woman put two of the smallest coins there were in the offering box. The disciples with Jesus weren't very impressed, but Jesus said this woman has given more than any other today. How could that be? Jesus said it was because it was all she had. How did the woman think she would buy dinner that night? She trusted in God to provide for her. She obeyed God's command, knowing that He would fulfill His promise to care for her in return. We must trust God the same way. Matt 6:33 says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and Hid righteousness and all these things (food, clothes, etc) will be added unto you."

Ephesians 5:3 3 But among you there must not be even a

hint of sexual immorality,(A) or of any kind

of impurity, or of greed,(B) because these

are improper for God’s holy people.

In general, plan your finances as an act of obedience not fear.

good Stewardship is the key to Financial Success…

Though no plans could guarantee our future, God requires our obedience

in Him… our ultimate insurance is our FAITH here and in eternal life..