Sermon Notes – Sunday, March 15th
Dear folks,
The current financial crisis forces us to examine our attitudes about money, just how important is it? What do the Scriptures teach us about the proper approach to money and stuff? Does it condemn riches and praise poverty? As we head toward Easter 5 weeks from now, I want us to think clearly about where our true riches are. Are they in this world or the world to come? Are we anxious about our retirement, checking account, or having enough to pay basic necessities? Was Jesus out of touch when he said our life does not consist in what we own? Easter boldly teaches that true worth cannot be measured in dollars which enables us to live with that calm sense of well being that overcomes worry and agitation.
What appears to be chance may be God’s way of waking us up to eternal realities. Read through Genesis 41:25-45 for Joseph’s remarkable rise to political power. Compare that with Genesis 50:15-21 for an explanation of why God sent the famine upon the Egyptians. What is God saying to you through your current economic life? 1 Timothy 6-10, 17-19, is a key passage on how we as Christians are to think about money. A proper philosophy of money will lead to contentment. Here is a wonderfully wise definition: “Contentment is knowing that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will not be satisfied with what I want, either.”
Jesus spoke plainly about the result of seeing our true riches in Him alone (Matthew 6:19-34). This kind of attitude is very possible as we direct our efforts and belief toward Christ and away from this world. If worry or pride fills your heart during this recession use it as a reason to examine your thinking about money and possessions, and see if your thoughts are His thoughts. It is not good for us to praise God for the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life, if we are in despair about money.
Carefully read over these passages and ask the Lord to give us all a believing and calm approach to this present economy which will be a great blessing to others as well as ourselves. Listen to this bit of wisdom from a very rich man: “ He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
See you Sunday,
Lee
