I realize every time I preach about money, it is going to create tension. Because we live in a culture of materialism, to talk about money addresses the weight of trust we place upon money. Idolatry is putting anything in the place of God. Idolatry is also using God to get something from Him.We is not a sin to have things or to be rich. The sin creeps in when we desire to be rich. The Bible shares to be careful in putting our hope in wealth (trusting money).
“But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
What if we shifted our concern from our Standard of Living to Standard of Giving. Giving is the antidote! When we focus on leveraging our wealth to bless others we will loosen the grip of needing more. It will lesson our desire for money.
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Amen Pastor Todd I think the problems we are currently facing are brought on by the focus on money and our desire for it. Instead of trying to keep up with the Jones’ we should be trying to keep up with Jesus. Our Standard of Living should be through our Standard of Giving, it is truly a blessing to give not only of our money but also our time and our tallents.
“Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy. Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive
a cup of water in return.” Proverbs 11:24-25
Jesus said “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36
For what you did for the lest of these you have done for me.