Wealth and Eternity Part 4: The Battle Against Materialism

Money, Possessions and Eternity Part 4:

The Battle Against Materialism.

Bible Readings:Psalm 73:1-28 (page 414)Luke 12:13-21 (page 737)

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Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Two countries, two men, two materialists.

Both sacrifice their children's well‐being on the altar of materialism.

The children of both families are malnourished.

The first man sacrifices his children's physical well‐being for his appearance of success.

The second man and his wife sacrifice their children's emotional and spiritual well‐being for the appearance of success.

Both men have lost the battle with materialism.

A Modern Parable

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Jesus' parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13‐21) is a picture of a materialist:

Someone whose ambitions and plans are centred on this world and possessions.

He took no thought of God or eternity.

He too had lost the battle against materialism.

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The choices and decisions the man made about his money and possessions had serious consequences for eternity.

God's judgement on the man, “You fool!” is the ultimate failure.

God is deeply concerned with how we use our money and possessions which all belong to Him as the Creator.

In the Lord's eyes every person is a steward managing what God gives them.

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The unjust steward used his master's property to provide for his own future.

Jesus commended the steward's wisdom in using what was not his to provide for his future after his stewardship ended. Jesus was not approving dishonesty.

Unlike the Unjust Steward we do have authority use God’s property to provide for our eternal future.

Our Master wants us to use His property to provide for ourselves now and for eternity.

“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ” (Luke 16:11–12, NIV84)

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God has given us many clear directions, advice and warnings on the use of the money and possessions under our hand.

His direct commands about money and possessions are simple:

Give to God the first 10%.

Be generous to the poor.

Have a party with Him.

For everything else we have complete freedom of decision. This is stewardship.

We will be judged by our obedience to His commands.

We will be judged by our stewardship of everything else.

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What is a Steward?

A steward had total control of his master's money and possessions.

He was answerable to his Master.

He was expected to maintain or, even better, increase His master's property.

One of the most beautiful pictures of a faithful steward is found in the OT in Genesis 24 the Nameless Chief Steward of the aged Abraham.

In prospering His master the steward prospered himself.

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If we can truly think of ourselves as stewards of God, in charge of His money and possessions we will be able to win the battle against materialism in our lives.

The battle with materialism is real and intense.

We live in a society that is saturated with the desire to acquire material possessions and enjoy success.

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What is success? How is success defined?

A materialistic society defines success as earning a lot of money, having power over others and owning expensive possessions: the symbols of success.

It's summed up in the poster that says, “He who dies with the most toys wins!”

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How did Jesus defined success? What is a successful life for a Christian?

Jesus tells a parable that defines success.

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.” (Luke 12:42–44, NLT)

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Read the sermon on the mount Matthew 5 ‐ 7. Jesus explains the standards and marks of a successful life.


It is a battle to put Jesus’ instructions into practice, to live them out in today's society.

The trap that Satan sets is to tempt us to look on money and possessions as ours.

He tempts us to forget that we are stewards who will must give an account to our master at the end of our stewardship when we die.

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Desire of the eyes

Desi

re o

f th

e fl

esh

Pride

of Li

fe


2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the boastful,

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.

5 They are not in trouble as other men. nor are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment.

7 Their eyes bulge with abundance;they have more than heart could wish.

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Psalm 73


“But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jewelled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Psalm 73:2–7, NLT)

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Psalm 73


“And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.” (Psalm 73:10–14, NLT)

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Psalm 73


(Then he goes to the Temple and in the presence of God he suddenly sees things from God's perspective:)

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awakes, So, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.” (Psalm 73:17–20, NKJV)

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Psalm 73


(The Psalmist sees that through his life of obedience to God he has, at the end of it all, the reward of the greatest treasure of all, the ultimate success.)

“Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You put an end to every one who is unfaithful to You. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” (Psalm 73:23–28, ESV)

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Psalm 73


• The only way we will be good stewards is by continually returning to the Lord for instruction and encouragement.

• The only way we will keep God's perspective on the purpose of this life is to return again and again to His Word.

• The only way to build up strength to resist the pressure of materialism and win the battle is to worship Him in His glory and majesty in the company of other faithful stewards.

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Winning the Battle


• “Money and possessions are assets when they meet our basic needs, serve God's purposes and allow us to focus on Christ and His kingdom as objects of our desire.

• Money and possessions become liabilities when they themselves become the objects of our desires.”

Randy Alcorn: Money, Possessions and Eternity

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Winning the Battle


• “Two things I ask of You, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die:

• Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 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 dishonour the Name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7–9, NIV84)

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Spiritual

Wealth and Eternity Part 4: The Battle Against Materialism