Introduction:
The family is under attack! In 1930 84% of all households consisted of a married couples, in 2010 only 49% of all households consisted of married couples. The media gives a constant view that affairs are normal; there are even websites that give easy access to people seeking an affair. Television used to be the problem, today it is all variety of electronic media: DVD, internet, even “smart” cell telephone and avenues to access media portraying affairs. Many teenagers and adults of all ages live in a virtual “fantasy” world where they believe that no real harm occurs by looking or chatting.
However the scriptures record a different story:
Exodus 20: 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
What is Adultery?
There is Sexual, Emotional and Spiritual Adultery.
Sexual adultery: The world view of sexual adultery consists of having an intimate sexual relationship (of any type) with someone other than your spouse. This view has evolved from this being abnormal behavior to being today normal. But God expands this to not only being an actual act with another to include having a desire (lust) to have a sexual relationship with someone other than your spouse.
Before sexual adultery occurs one will look with desire and then fantasy arises in the heart. That desire will lead to flirtations, flirtations if received will lead to meetings, meetings lead to the act. God says to stop it before the lust even has a chance to take hold in your heart.
Emotional adultery: A marriage consists of much more that the sexual relationship. It is founded on an emotional relationship first. If you’re emotional relationship is strong and right than a wonderful sexual relationship follows; naturally. If you are emotionally connected with your spouse your desire will be to meet the emotional and physical needs of your spouse.
Emotional adultery occurs when you connect emotionally with someone other than your spouse.
Spiritual adultery: If you are saved you are a part of the “Bride” of Christ. We are engaged to Him! We are just waiting for the marriage to happen. Christ woos us and draws us spiritually, He desires to be emotionally and spiritually connected to us and we should desire to be emotionally and spiritually connected to him.
Spiritual adultery: occurs when we flirt with other gods. Look at this in this manner. Remember way back when you became engaged to your now spouse? Now imagine that the person you are engaged to looked at every girl / guy that passed instead of you; imagine that you stumbled upon your intended at a restaurant and he / she was at another table having a great time talking to one another without you; imagine that you saw them embrace! How would you feel? What would you think? That’s just a fraction of how God feels when you connect spiritually with anyone or anything but Him! That connection could be another person; it could also be a job, money, possessions, or position.
So, what is adultery? It is giving to someone something that they should not have that belongs to your spouse.
How do affairs happen? Think in terms of Walls and Windows. Whenever you open the window of opportunity to another person, you build a wall of separation between you and your spouse.
*It usually starts with an inappropriate conversation about emotions: conversations about relationship with the spouse or child that is not going well; conversations about how someone has emotionally hurt the person. These conversations connect at the emotion level and once connection and trust is established it is far easier to move ahead. When ever a spouse connects emotionally with someone other than their spouse they are giving a private part of themselves to someone that it does not belong.
* Emotional adultery always happens before physical adultery.
* It happens to those who didn’t think it could happen to them.
* There is never justification for adultery; it does not matter what issues you have in your marriage it is never right to get into an affair.
* There is no benefit in it; in fact you have everything to lose and nothing to gain!
Affair Proof: Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
God gives the pattern for our marriage with the right relationship with Him.
1. Protect the priority of your marriage * Decide to make your marriage first!
2. Give your passion to no one but your spouse * Adultery is giving to someone something that they should not have.
3. Connect on every level with your spouse every day. * Women want the emotional connection!
- Talk; have conversations
- Hold, touch
- Do all things together: It all started with you two and it needs to remain so!
4. Take responsibility for your actions * Apologize for your wrongs and correct your behavior.
* No blame; no excuses.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Becoming a greater Husband
Ephesians 5:17-29 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”
Introduction:
We learned last week the Holy Spirit is the role model of a wife. We men need to have a role model also. Men are not called to be a husband according to your family history. Do not look to other men – they will fail you; but look to Jesus as your role model. Jesus is the Anointed one! So, what does the anointing look like?
1. First it represents the Glory of God. The glory is a reflection of something or someone. When someone was anointed in the OT they were not dabbed with a little oil but the whole horn of oil was pored over the head so as to shine representing the Glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:7 the scripture reads “he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” In translation this is saying that a man should be a reflection of the God that he chooses; if you are a Christian then you should have the attributes of God (love, joy, peace, patience). The woman, on the other hand, reflects the glory of the man that she chooses. Men your wife is your glory, or reflection.
2. Secondly the anointing is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit before he started his earthly ministry (Matt 3:16). Bear in mind that the first name of the Holy Spirit is Holy! Jesus walked and worked through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ." If you don’t walk in the spirit you will have sexual problems. But in Acts 1:8 we are told that “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” This word power means having moral excellence – doing holy things, living a moral life. The worst way to live the Christian life is to trying not to do what your flesh wants to do. You cannot do it alone. Jesus himself depended on the Holy Spirit for power. When you realize that it is not within yourself to do right but it is your surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you will gain victory over the flesh. You have to have your wanter changed to succeed! Galatians 5 goes on to say that the effects of not walking in the spirit are emotional problems, relational problems and behavioral problems Galatians 5:20 - 21 "idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: . . " Sometimes I am not a good husband; I gripe, complain, am selfish: those are the days that I try to control my wants on my own power. I can never have the victory without the power of the Holy Spirit! Regardless of the problems you are under the “influence” and exhibit love, joy, and peace as a result. When the man of the house has peace, when the man of the house is full of joy – it makes a difference and there is only one place to get it!
3. The third note on the anointing of Jesus is that three offices were fulfilled in him:
a. Prophet: A prophet diligently seeks to hear God’s voice and to know God’s word for his family. This includes living a life consistent with scriptural values. You can have more fun in life by just doing what the Bible says to do! Ephesians 5:17-29 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus is washing us with the word to make us a pure bride that will respond to him and be for him what the bride should be. Men need honor and intimacy: the more your home reflects the Bible way the more you will get what you need.
b. Priest: The priest is a man who sensitively and sacrificially meets his wife’s spiritual and emotional needs! Ephesians 5:28-29 “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” The role of the priest is to get everyone well in the family. You will never be better than what your wife is! When your wife’s needs are meet so will yours!
c. King: A king is a servant / leader of the home, treating his wife as an equal with a focus on her well-being; he is the initiator of decision making and problem solving without dominance. Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:" and he is the saviour of the body. A wife does not mind a savior head but does mind a selfish head or a sleeping head! Christ like authority is not domineering but a servant.
To become a Great Husband you must reflect the Golry of God; you must be anointed with the Holy Spirit; you must fulfill the three offices asigned to him: the offices of Prophet, Priest and King. My prayer is that you all become a Greater Husband in 2010.
Introduction:
We learned last week the Holy Spirit is the role model of a wife. We men need to have a role model also. Men are not called to be a husband according to your family history. Do not look to other men – they will fail you; but look to Jesus as your role model. Jesus is the Anointed one! So, what does the anointing look like?
1. First it represents the Glory of God. The glory is a reflection of something or someone. When someone was anointed in the OT they were not dabbed with a little oil but the whole horn of oil was pored over the head so as to shine representing the Glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:7 the scripture reads “he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” In translation this is saying that a man should be a reflection of the God that he chooses; if you are a Christian then you should have the attributes of God (love, joy, peace, patience). The woman, on the other hand, reflects the glory of the man that she chooses. Men your wife is your glory, or reflection.
2. Secondly the anointing is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit before he started his earthly ministry (Matt 3:16). Bear in mind that the first name of the Holy Spirit is Holy! Jesus walked and worked through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ." If you don’t walk in the spirit you will have sexual problems. But in Acts 1:8 we are told that “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” This word power means having moral excellence – doing holy things, living a moral life. The worst way to live the Christian life is to trying not to do what your flesh wants to do. You cannot do it alone. Jesus himself depended on the Holy Spirit for power. When you realize that it is not within yourself to do right but it is your surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you will gain victory over the flesh. You have to have your wanter changed to succeed! Galatians 5 goes on to say that the effects of not walking in the spirit are emotional problems, relational problems and behavioral problems Galatians 5:20 - 21 "idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: . . " Sometimes I am not a good husband; I gripe, complain, am selfish: those are the days that I try to control my wants on my own power. I can never have the victory without the power of the Holy Spirit! Regardless of the problems you are under the “influence” and exhibit love, joy, and peace as a result. When the man of the house has peace, when the man of the house is full of joy – it makes a difference and there is only one place to get it!
3. The third note on the anointing of Jesus is that three offices were fulfilled in him:
a. Prophet: A prophet diligently seeks to hear God’s voice and to know God’s word for his family. This includes living a life consistent with scriptural values. You can have more fun in life by just doing what the Bible says to do! Ephesians 5:17-29 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus is washing us with the word to make us a pure bride that will respond to him and be for him what the bride should be. Men need honor and intimacy: the more your home reflects the Bible way the more you will get what you need.
b. Priest: The priest is a man who sensitively and sacrificially meets his wife’s spiritual and emotional needs! Ephesians 5:28-29 “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” The role of the priest is to get everyone well in the family. You will never be better than what your wife is! When your wife’s needs are meet so will yours!
c. King: A king is a servant / leader of the home, treating his wife as an equal with a focus on her well-being; he is the initiator of decision making and problem solving without dominance. Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:" and he is the saviour of the body. A wife does not mind a savior head but does mind a selfish head or a sleeping head! Christ like authority is not domineering but a servant.
To become a Great Husband you must reflect the Golry of God; you must be anointed with the Holy Spirit; you must fulfill the three offices asigned to him: the offices of Prophet, Priest and King. My prayer is that you all become a Greater Husband in 2010.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Becoming a Greater Wife
John 14:15-17 "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Introduction:
In Genesis 1 when creation is recorded, after every creation event God said it was good with this one exception: in Genesis 2:18 God said that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a help meet for him – that help meet (companion) was Eve, Adam’s wife. She was his helper and companion! From the beginning God’s plan has been for wives to be the companion and helper of her husband.
It is also recorded that God create man in his own image, a three part being: the father, the son and the spirit. These distinct beings are what we are fashioned after and we should look to each of God’s parts for examples. The husband follows the role model of Jesus Christ as the priest / son. The Holy Spirit is a role model for a wife to follow.
We have in this room great marriages, with great wives and husbands. Today I am going to give to you five roles of the Holy Spirit that you wives can use to become even greater wives!
Five roles of the Wife
1. Companion
*In John 14 we read about another comforter, Jesus being the first. This word that we read as Comforter in the Greek has two separate meanings. It can mean a helper or one that runs beside you. In John 14 we learn that God gave to us another helper / comforter that will be with us throughout eternity! If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you, the Holy Spirit is a person - not a thing; you can sense his presence. He runs beside you and is your constant companion.
*Husbands need their wife to run along beside them, he needs to sense your presence; you can’t help your husband if you’re not there!
*Husbands need a buddy – he does not need to be treated like one of your children; he does not need another mother!
2. Comforter
The second meaning of the word translated a comforter is one that comforts and advises. Husbands have three distinct needs in the sense of needing comfort.
a. Praise him and encourage him:
*Wives need to learn to say negative things in a positive way
*To stay emotionally connected with your husband you must be able to keep him calm. It is an established fact that if your heart rate gets above 100 beats / min men can’t think! You need your husband to be able to think clearly.
b. Give affection:
*This is more than sexual fulfillment, though it is a part of affection. Men will not admit to this need but they do have it. Men do not cling but still need to receive affection. Did you know that when you husband is upset that your touch will calm! Oh, the power of a gentle touch!
*Men will gravitate to where they will get comforted. Give him comfort and he will not stray.
*Men will stay away from where they get upset. Do not drive your husband to another who will give comfort! Make sure that he finds all the comfort he needs at home.
c. Your faith comforts men:
When things are going seemingly wrong your faith in God’s provision and your faith in your husband will give him great comfort! Remind him that “God’s done this before and He will again!”, “It’s going to be alright.”, and “You’re the best man in the whole world!”
3. Counselor
We read in John 14:16-17 and then in John 16:13 how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. An important role of a great wife is to be that spirit of truth. Men and women do not think alike. Men use radar and women use sonar! Men can sometimes be more objective because they don’t deal with the emotions of a situation; whereas, men need to listen to their wives when emotions play an important role in a decision. Men are not in touch with emotions. I depend on Debbie to tell me about the feelings of situations because I just don’t see it most of the time. If she tells me not to trust or to trust someone, I’d better listen; her sonar sees things that I do not!
4. Convictor
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts! Likewise you wives are truth sayers and keep your family on target! It is a documented fact that men live longer when they have a woman in their life. She says “Slow down!”, “Watch out for. . . !”, “Don’t eat that it’s not good for you, . . . !” Husbands, you’ll live longer ( you may not want to, but you will!)
5. Connector
Jesus tells us in John that the Holy Spirit will point others to Him. The Holy Spirit is a connector. Wives likewise should reconnect her husband to herself and the children on a daily basis. When your husband comes in the door it is your task to refocus his attention from everything on the other side of the door to everything that is inside the door!
In God’s master plan wives play a very important role as the Companion, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Convictor, and the Connector. Look to the Holy Spirit as your role model to go from being a great wife to being an even greater wife for the glory of the Lord!
John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Introduction:
In Genesis 1 when creation is recorded, after every creation event God said it was good with this one exception: in Genesis 2:18 God said that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a help meet for him – that help meet (companion) was Eve, Adam’s wife. She was his helper and companion! From the beginning God’s plan has been for wives to be the companion and helper of her husband.
It is also recorded that God create man in his own image, a three part being: the father, the son and the spirit. These distinct beings are what we are fashioned after and we should look to each of God’s parts for examples. The husband follows the role model of Jesus Christ as the priest / son. The Holy Spirit is a role model for a wife to follow.
We have in this room great marriages, with great wives and husbands. Today I am going to give to you five roles of the Holy Spirit that you wives can use to become even greater wives!
Five roles of the Wife
1. Companion
*In John 14 we read about another comforter, Jesus being the first. This word that we read as Comforter in the Greek has two separate meanings. It can mean a helper or one that runs beside you. In John 14 we learn that God gave to us another helper / comforter that will be with us throughout eternity! If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you, the Holy Spirit is a person - not a thing; you can sense his presence. He runs beside you and is your constant companion.
*Husbands need their wife to run along beside them, he needs to sense your presence; you can’t help your husband if you’re not there!
*Husbands need a buddy – he does not need to be treated like one of your children; he does not need another mother!
2. Comforter
The second meaning of the word translated a comforter is one that comforts and advises. Husbands have three distinct needs in the sense of needing comfort.
a. Praise him and encourage him:
*Wives need to learn to say negative things in a positive way
*To stay emotionally connected with your husband you must be able to keep him calm. It is an established fact that if your heart rate gets above 100 beats / min men can’t think! You need your husband to be able to think clearly.
b. Give affection:
*This is more than sexual fulfillment, though it is a part of affection. Men will not admit to this need but they do have it. Men do not cling but still need to receive affection. Did you know that when you husband is upset that your touch will calm! Oh, the power of a gentle touch!
*Men will gravitate to where they will get comforted. Give him comfort and he will not stray.
*Men will stay away from where they get upset. Do not drive your husband to another who will give comfort! Make sure that he finds all the comfort he needs at home.
c. Your faith comforts men:
When things are going seemingly wrong your faith in God’s provision and your faith in your husband will give him great comfort! Remind him that “God’s done this before and He will again!”, “It’s going to be alright.”, and “You’re the best man in the whole world!”
3. Counselor
We read in John 14:16-17 and then in John 16:13 how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. An important role of a great wife is to be that spirit of truth. Men and women do not think alike. Men use radar and women use sonar! Men can sometimes be more objective because they don’t deal with the emotions of a situation; whereas, men need to listen to their wives when emotions play an important role in a decision. Men are not in touch with emotions. I depend on Debbie to tell me about the feelings of situations because I just don’t see it most of the time. If she tells me not to trust or to trust someone, I’d better listen; her sonar sees things that I do not!
4. Convictor
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts! Likewise you wives are truth sayers and keep your family on target! It is a documented fact that men live longer when they have a woman in their life. She says “Slow down!”, “Watch out for. . . !”, “Don’t eat that it’s not good for you, . . . !” Husbands, you’ll live longer ( you may not want to, but you will!)
5. Connector
Jesus tells us in John that the Holy Spirit will point others to Him. The Holy Spirit is a connector. Wives likewise should reconnect her husband to herself and the children on a daily basis. When your husband comes in the door it is your task to refocus his attention from everything on the other side of the door to everything that is inside the door!
In God’s master plan wives play a very important role as the Companion, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Convictor, and the Connector. Look to the Holy Spirit as your role model to go from being a great wife to being an even greater wife for the glory of the Lord!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
All you need
Philippians 4:15-19 “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Introduction: The five Greats in Philippians 4:15 - 19
1. A Great Necessity “. . .all your need”
This was written to saved saints. Can you fathom how big the needs would be of multiplied millions of Christians world wide? I can't, but know that He is able to meet all their needs. This verse though is not written to every one but to you, me, us individually. Not the world’s need but your need, not just some of my needs but all!
Imagine, if you can, the variety of needs that God supplies!
There are temporal needs: food, raiment, household cares, family trials, sickness, losses, job, - remember Elijah whom God fed by ravens!
Spiritual needs: need for perpetual pardon; need of fresh strength to battle sin; need for spiritual armor to protect us to accomplish our life’s work; help to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right spirit and manner!
Suffering needs: patience in pain, hope under depression: He will either make the burden lighter or the back stronger: He will either reduce the need or increase the supply.
Sin forgiveness needs: we need to be daily converted from some sin; we need to be instructed by God; we need to be illuminated as to the mind of Christ; we need to be comforted by His promises; we need to be strengthened by His Word!
Oh, what we do not need! We are just a bag of wants and a heap of infirmities! “ My God Shall supply all your need”
Are you well provisioned? Then you need to be kept from loving the world, its follies and fashions; are you poor? then you need help against envy and bitterness.
2. A great Helper “My God shall supply all your need”
Whose God is this? It is the God of Paul. Paul who was in prison, Paul who was ship wrecked, Paul who was stone yet lived, Paul who suffered much but tasted of the provision of God
This is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. This is the God of Moses, Elijah, and the apostles.
This is My God that has supplied my every need!
3. A Great Supply “My God shall supply all your need”
Remember the widow and the oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7? She was faced with a great debt, all she had was two sons and a little oil. She was faced with the possibility of having to sell her sons into slavery to pay her debt until God stepped in. God caused the oil to increase enough to fill every available pot to the full which she then was able to sell to satisfy her debt. She believed and God supplied! Oh that we would have the same faith as that widow!
4. A Great Resource “. . . according to his riches in glory”
• Consider the riches of His creation, not only the earth but the universe!
• Consider the riches of His providence – without bounds
• Consider the wealth of His grace
• Consider His glory that no man has seen but the angels only
• His riches in glory means not only the riches of what He has done, but the riches of what He could do!
5. A Great Channel “according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ”
To have your soul’s wants satisfied you must go to Christ! Jesus Christ is the fountain head where the living waters well up. You will not have your spiritual wants supplied by your own efforts; nor will they be satisfied by going to man.
We learn of Ishmael that was sent into the wilderness with only a bottle of water whereas Isaac dwelt by the well. It is wise for us to dwell by the well of Christ Jesus, and never trust to the bottles of our own strength.
My prayer for this year is that we all dwell by the well of this Word. Draw from it. Draw from it, for it is full; when you plead this promise the Lord will supply all your need. Do not let unbelief hinder the Lord’s bounty, but cling to this promise “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Introduction: The five Greats in Philippians 4:15 - 19
1. A Great Necessity “. . .all your need”
This was written to saved saints. Can you fathom how big the needs would be of multiplied millions of Christians world wide? I can't, but know that He is able to meet all their needs. This verse though is not written to every one but to you, me, us individually. Not the world’s need but your need, not just some of my needs but all!
Imagine, if you can, the variety of needs that God supplies!
There are temporal needs: food, raiment, household cares, family trials, sickness, losses, job, - remember Elijah whom God fed by ravens!
Spiritual needs: need for perpetual pardon; need of fresh strength to battle sin; need for spiritual armor to protect us to accomplish our life’s work; help to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right spirit and manner!
Suffering needs: patience in pain, hope under depression: He will either make the burden lighter or the back stronger: He will either reduce the need or increase the supply.
Sin forgiveness needs: we need to be daily converted from some sin; we need to be instructed by God; we need to be illuminated as to the mind of Christ; we need to be comforted by His promises; we need to be strengthened by His Word!
Oh, what we do not need! We are just a bag of wants and a heap of infirmities! “ My God Shall supply all your need”
Are you well provisioned? Then you need to be kept from loving the world, its follies and fashions; are you poor? then you need help against envy and bitterness.
2. A great Helper “My God shall supply all your need”
Whose God is this? It is the God of Paul. Paul who was in prison, Paul who was ship wrecked, Paul who was stone yet lived, Paul who suffered much but tasted of the provision of God
This is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. This is the God of Moses, Elijah, and the apostles.
This is My God that has supplied my every need!
3. A Great Supply “My God shall supply all your need”
Remember the widow and the oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7? She was faced with a great debt, all she had was two sons and a little oil. She was faced with the possibility of having to sell her sons into slavery to pay her debt until God stepped in. God caused the oil to increase enough to fill every available pot to the full which she then was able to sell to satisfy her debt. She believed and God supplied! Oh that we would have the same faith as that widow!
4. A Great Resource “. . . according to his riches in glory”
• Consider the riches of His creation, not only the earth but the universe!
• Consider the riches of His providence – without bounds
• Consider the wealth of His grace
• Consider His glory that no man has seen but the angels only
• His riches in glory means not only the riches of what He has done, but the riches of what He could do!
5. A Great Channel “according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ”
To have your soul’s wants satisfied you must go to Christ! Jesus Christ is the fountain head where the living waters well up. You will not have your spiritual wants supplied by your own efforts; nor will they be satisfied by going to man.
We learn of Ishmael that was sent into the wilderness with only a bottle of water whereas Isaac dwelt by the well. It is wise for us to dwell by the well of Christ Jesus, and never trust to the bottles of our own strength.
My prayer for this year is that we all dwell by the well of this Word. Draw from it. Draw from it, for it is full; when you plead this promise the Lord will supply all your need. Do not let unbelief hinder the Lord’s bounty, but cling to this promise “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Sunday, January 10, 2010
What I want for this New Year
1. Faith enough to accept whatever God designs
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Christ designs everything that comes in my life.
“My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily. Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.”
How often God interrupts our plans! Though we don’t understand it in that moment it always turns to our good. Even trails are designed by God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” He knows our limits and promises not to overload us.
If I am going to enjoy this New Year I must have faith to accept what so ever God designs for me! Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” If you are born again you are His handiwork! Philippians 1:6 says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” God is working on each of us. He brings just the right blessings into our lives that will make us into the vessel He intends us to be. In Jeremiah 18:6 God says “. . . as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand. . .” every child of God is in His hands being shaped and molded!
However, it is not always easy to follow the admonition is Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God” But if you couple the “all things” of Ephesians 5:20 with the “all things” of Romans 8:28 then we can thank God for everything no matter how bad it seems at the moment!
I want faith enough to accept whatever God designs for me this year!
2. My life so yielded so as to realize His Purpose for my life
Romans 12:12 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” God has a purpose for my life, every creature even the smallest insect has a divine purpose.
God has something He wants me to do for Him this year; I want to cooperate with Him to discover that perfect will! We are admonished in Romans 6:13 to “yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” It is hard telling what anyone of us could do for God if we were only yielded. We are valuable to God only when we are available to Him!
Our greatest ability is availability! God does not always use the educated man, but always uses the available man. He used a tongue tied Moses who made himself available, He used Gideon who was least among the smallest tribe because he was available. He used David who was overlooked by his father because David made himself available. He used a little boy with five loaves and two fishes because he made himself available.
He will use any of us also if we just make ourselves available! God has plenty to do; he is always hiring!
3. Gratitude enough to be thankful for every mercy and blessing
Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”and Psalm 68:19 says “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits” One of the greatest Christian graces is gratitude! Thank God for His mercies. Lamentations 3:22 says “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Then in verse 32 He says “yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies”
Be thankful for the things you may take for granted, be thankful for the drudgery of work, be thankful for the dirty laundry, and messy areas your children leave behind – it will be just a short time and they will be gone into adulthood!
4. God’s approval for all that I say and do.
2 Corinthians 5:9 says “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
So often we go to great efforts to be found acceptable in the sight of others, but how much better to be found acceptable in the sight of All Mighty God!
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Christ designs everything that comes in my life.
“My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily. Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why. The dark threads are as needful in the weaver’s skillful hand as the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.”
How often God interrupts our plans! Though we don’t understand it in that moment it always turns to our good. Even trails are designed by God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” He knows our limits and promises not to overload us.
If I am going to enjoy this New Year I must have faith to accept what so ever God designs for me! Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” If you are born again you are His handiwork! Philippians 1:6 says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” God is working on each of us. He brings just the right blessings into our lives that will make us into the vessel He intends us to be. In Jeremiah 18:6 God says “. . . as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand. . .” every child of God is in His hands being shaped and molded!
However, it is not always easy to follow the admonition is Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God” But if you couple the “all things” of Ephesians 5:20 with the “all things” of Romans 8:28 then we can thank God for everything no matter how bad it seems at the moment!
I want faith enough to accept whatever God designs for me this year!
2. My life so yielded so as to realize His Purpose for my life
Romans 12:12 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” God has a purpose for my life, every creature even the smallest insect has a divine purpose.
God has something He wants me to do for Him this year; I want to cooperate with Him to discover that perfect will! We are admonished in Romans 6:13 to “yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” It is hard telling what anyone of us could do for God if we were only yielded. We are valuable to God only when we are available to Him!
Our greatest ability is availability! God does not always use the educated man, but always uses the available man. He used a tongue tied Moses who made himself available, He used Gideon who was least among the smallest tribe because he was available. He used David who was overlooked by his father because David made himself available. He used a little boy with five loaves and two fishes because he made himself available.
He will use any of us also if we just make ourselves available! God has plenty to do; he is always hiring!
3. Gratitude enough to be thankful for every mercy and blessing
Psalm 103:2 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”and Psalm 68:19 says “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits” One of the greatest Christian graces is gratitude! Thank God for His mercies. Lamentations 3:22 says “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Then in verse 32 He says “yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies”
Be thankful for the things you may take for granted, be thankful for the drudgery of work, be thankful for the dirty laundry, and messy areas your children leave behind – it will be just a short time and they will be gone into adulthood!
4. God’s approval for all that I say and do.
2 Corinthians 5:9 says “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
So often we go to great efforts to be found acceptable in the sight of others, but how much better to be found acceptable in the sight of All Mighty God!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Financial Contentment
God’s Big Idea about Finances
Introduction:
The most widely accepted idea about a financial goal is to achieve “financial Freedom”. Financial freedom is freedom from the slavery of the lender and freedom from the bondage of materialism. My thought process for years has been that if a person is not a slave to the lender, has the right view of money and possessions and recognizes that God owns it all, then he (or she) is free; he is not caught up in materialism. None of this is wrong, but, I really think that that God’s plan is different than this. The ultimate goal is contentment! I have observed that a person can be financially independent and not be content. Conversely a person can be content without being financially independent.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Hebrews 13:5 “. . . and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
How to be Financially Content:
First of all is it possible today to be content? The world demands that for us to be content we have to have the latest gadget, the newest big screen T.V., the newest technology, the latest fashion. If you do not have the money to obtain then you are not content.
What is contentment? Contentment is being satisfied with one’s circumstances, not complaining, not craving something else, and having a mind at peace. Another person has said contentment has three views: looking back without regret, looking at the present without envy, and looking to the future without fear. Contentment has nothing to do with money. A person may have little or much money and still not be content; we can complain whether we have little or much; and we can covet just as easily with a lot of money or with a little.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity." Contentment has nothing to do with money! It is a learned response. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
The Paul is referring to learning to think correctly about money, possessions and God. Contentment is learning to see money and possessions as God sees them, and nothing more. Money and possessions are vehicles for providing for our needs and those of others. Contentment is also learning to see God for who he is. He is the bedrock of our contentment. All you need is what you have; what you have is what He is; you cannot have more; and you cannot have less.
Only when I realize that the God of the universe loves me and has my best interests at heart can I be content. Only when I realize that He is sovereign and in control of my vocation and income can I truly be content. Only when I learn to trust Him can I have true contentment. You see, contentment is a spiritual matter; it’s not a money matter. God is always there; He never changes, He is consistent and stable. You can trust Him, but, can you say the same about money? Proverbs 23:4-5 “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
No financial principle can have a greater impact on you or free you up more than this truth: Money is not the key to contentment! Contentment has everything to do with your relationship with God and nothing to do with money. Once you are free from your love of money and the pursuit of it, you can have a lot or a little and be content all the same. At that point you have learned the secret of contentment.
What does Financial Contentment Look Like?
Two examples:
First consider a family that chooses to live within their means; they have a modest home, an older car, much entertainment at home – little debt and a savings account. This family has low stress, their needs are met, and they have time together as a family.
On the other extreme is a man who earns in excess of $600,000 per year and is miserable as he spends $700,000 per year. He is so stressed because he wonders how he can make it.
Both of these examples are from real people, with real families; both are church goers. The key to contentment in one’s finances is not the amount one makes, but rather a willingness to live within that amount.
Financial contentment has less to do with money and more to do with our attitude, our belief systems and decisions. Financial contentment brings peace of mind! Financial security is not the same as financial peace of mind. You can have financial security without financial peace of mind.
So then, what is financial peace of mind?
Financial peace of mind has four elements: eternal perspective, faith based decisions, biblically wise counsel and financially wise counsel.
Eternal perspective
Having an eternal perspective helps us deal with the earthly ups and downs of life, stock market highs and lows, and acquiring and losing stuff. James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
We need to keep in mind the brevity of life; I call it the 100 year rule. When it comes down to life in 100 years, all that matters then is, did I glorify God in all that I do? It is then that you realize that I can be less concerned about hoarding, giving my kids only the best stuff, being comfortable at all costs, seeking a life of leisure or keeping up with my neighbor.
Faith based decisions
Faith is so vital to our relationship with God:
If I am exhibiting faith, then I’m pleasing God.
If I’m pleasing God, then it’s easier to be content with my physical and financial position.
As the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It takes faith to give a substantial amount to your church. It takes faith to launch a new career or business. It takes faith to give up immediate gratification now and invest for later.
Biblically wise counsel and Financially wise counsel
If you rely on movies, advertising, fashion trends, Hollywood or sports celebrities, or the gang at work for your guidance and counsel then you will not be content! You’ll be anxious and feeling as if you don’t have what it takes to be successful. “Seek ye first the God’s kingdom and counsel” Matthew 6:33. Look at what the Bible says about earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom:
James 3:16-17 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Which wisdom do you seek?
Introduction:
The most widely accepted idea about a financial goal is to achieve “financial Freedom”. Financial freedom is freedom from the slavery of the lender and freedom from the bondage of materialism. My thought process for years has been that if a person is not a slave to the lender, has the right view of money and possessions and recognizes that God owns it all, then he (or she) is free; he is not caught up in materialism. None of this is wrong, but, I really think that that God’s plan is different than this. The ultimate goal is contentment! I have observed that a person can be financially independent and not be content. Conversely a person can be content without being financially independent.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Hebrews 13:5 “. . . and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
How to be Financially Content:
First of all is it possible today to be content? The world demands that for us to be content we have to have the latest gadget, the newest big screen T.V., the newest technology, the latest fashion. If you do not have the money to obtain then you are not content.
What is contentment? Contentment is being satisfied with one’s circumstances, not complaining, not craving something else, and having a mind at peace. Another person has said contentment has three views: looking back without regret, looking at the present without envy, and looking to the future without fear. Contentment has nothing to do with money. A person may have little or much money and still not be content; we can complain whether we have little or much; and we can covet just as easily with a lot of money or with a little.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity." Contentment has nothing to do with money! It is a learned response. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
The Paul is referring to learning to think correctly about money, possessions and God. Contentment is learning to see money and possessions as God sees them, and nothing more. Money and possessions are vehicles for providing for our needs and those of others. Contentment is also learning to see God for who he is. He is the bedrock of our contentment. All you need is what you have; what you have is what He is; you cannot have more; and you cannot have less.
Only when I realize that the God of the universe loves me and has my best interests at heart can I be content. Only when I realize that He is sovereign and in control of my vocation and income can I truly be content. Only when I learn to trust Him can I have true contentment. You see, contentment is a spiritual matter; it’s not a money matter. God is always there; He never changes, He is consistent and stable. You can trust Him, but, can you say the same about money? Proverbs 23:4-5 “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
No financial principle can have a greater impact on you or free you up more than this truth: Money is not the key to contentment! Contentment has everything to do with your relationship with God and nothing to do with money. Once you are free from your love of money and the pursuit of it, you can have a lot or a little and be content all the same. At that point you have learned the secret of contentment.
What does Financial Contentment Look Like?
Two examples:
First consider a family that chooses to live within their means; they have a modest home, an older car, much entertainment at home – little debt and a savings account. This family has low stress, their needs are met, and they have time together as a family.
On the other extreme is a man who earns in excess of $600,000 per year and is miserable as he spends $700,000 per year. He is so stressed because he wonders how he can make it.
Both of these examples are from real people, with real families; both are church goers. The key to contentment in one’s finances is not the amount one makes, but rather a willingness to live within that amount.
Financial contentment has less to do with money and more to do with our attitude, our belief systems and decisions. Financial contentment brings peace of mind! Financial security is not the same as financial peace of mind. You can have financial security without financial peace of mind.
So then, what is financial peace of mind?
Financial peace of mind has four elements: eternal perspective, faith based decisions, biblically wise counsel and financially wise counsel.
Eternal perspective
Having an eternal perspective helps us deal with the earthly ups and downs of life, stock market highs and lows, and acquiring and losing stuff. James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
We need to keep in mind the brevity of life; I call it the 100 year rule. When it comes down to life in 100 years, all that matters then is, did I glorify God in all that I do? It is then that you realize that I can be less concerned about hoarding, giving my kids only the best stuff, being comfortable at all costs, seeking a life of leisure or keeping up with my neighbor.
Faith based decisions
Faith is so vital to our relationship with God:
If I am exhibiting faith, then I’m pleasing God.
If I’m pleasing God, then it’s easier to be content with my physical and financial position.
As the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It takes faith to give a substantial amount to your church. It takes faith to launch a new career or business. It takes faith to give up immediate gratification now and invest for later.
Biblically wise counsel and Financially wise counsel
If you rely on movies, advertising, fashion trends, Hollywood or sports celebrities, or the gang at work for your guidance and counsel then you will not be content! You’ll be anxious and feeling as if you don’t have what it takes to be successful. “Seek ye first the God’s kingdom and counsel” Matthew 6:33. Look at what the Bible says about earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom:
James 3:16-17 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Which wisdom do you seek?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tool, a Test, and a Testimony
We are in a growth Process:
We have a limited, finite time on earth; we are to use our time, our talent and our possessions for the Lord.
Money and possessions are used by God as a Tool, a Test, and a Testimony.
Paul understood this as he penned Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” He has learned that God uses money and possessions to shape our lives.
a) Money and possessions are effective tools that God uses to help you to grow. God allows times of having much or little. During these times the question should be “God what do you want me to learn?” He wants you to learn the right response to these situations. He wants to know that you will continue to do his will and trust Him during these times. You need to know that God is not trying to frustrate you; He’s trying to get your attention!
Luke 16:11-12 “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”
b) Money and possession is also a test! Your eternal position and reward are determined by your faithfulness in your handling of property entrusted to you; remember Matthew 25:14-30 and the lazy servant? The lazy servant not only lost his reward but also lost his position all because he did not use God's possessions for God's intended purposes.
c) Money and possession is also a testimony! Christians are called to be salt and light!
Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Our attitude toward wealth is a testimony. Those around you who know you are a Christian is watching you to see what, if anything, is different about you. They will observe your testimony when He withholds. They will observe your attitude when He gives. Jesus wants children that have learned to rely on Him!
Also note that the Amount is not Important:
In Matthew 25:14-30 you find that the first two servants are both told they have been faithful, and they both received the same reward. It did not matter what they started with; it did not matter to what degree the increase; what mattered is that they put the master’s resources to use for profit! It mattered How they handled the resources.
Have you ever wondered why God gave the talent of the unfaithful servant to the one who had the most? I don’t know – it doesn’t really matter! Why does someone have more than me: why does someone have less than me? I don’t know this either. We spend too much time trying to figure out God when all He wants is for us to be faithful. What I do know is that I’m only accountable for what He has put in my hand!
Bear in mind that God neither condemns wealth nor commends poverty!
Faith requires Action:
Simply knowing God owns it all is not enough! The lazy servant knew he had his master’s money but chose to do nothing and suffered great loss. Many of us know what we ought to do, but we disobey – or delay. We know deep down what God would have us to do, but we take no action. We take no action because we fear making a mistake, or we become frustrated or confused about what to do. We end up doing what we feel good about. Living by feelings rather than truth can be dangerous!
We are constantly bombarded with the world view; the world view tells us to acquire and to consume! The world view of today is “It’s all about me!” However, the most common world view dictates where you live, how you dress, the car you drive – all to gain stature among men, to appear attractive, or to experience less inconvenience (pain). If you have a Biblical world view then you behavior is dictated by what the Bible says. Your world view will determine if you are a faithful servant!
We have a limited, finite time on earth; we are to use our time, our talent and our possessions for the Lord.
Money and possessions are used by God as a Tool, a Test, and a Testimony.
Paul understood this as he penned Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” He has learned that God uses money and possessions to shape our lives.
a) Money and possessions are effective tools that God uses to help you to grow. God allows times of having much or little. During these times the question should be “God what do you want me to learn?” He wants you to learn the right response to these situations. He wants to know that you will continue to do his will and trust Him during these times. You need to know that God is not trying to frustrate you; He’s trying to get your attention!
Luke 16:11-12 “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”
b) Money and possession is also a test! Your eternal position and reward are determined by your faithfulness in your handling of property entrusted to you; remember Matthew 25:14-30 and the lazy servant? The lazy servant not only lost his reward but also lost his position all because he did not use God's possessions for God's intended purposes.
c) Money and possession is also a testimony! Christians are called to be salt and light!
Matthew 5:13-16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Our attitude toward wealth is a testimony. Those around you who know you are a Christian is watching you to see what, if anything, is different about you. They will observe your testimony when He withholds. They will observe your attitude when He gives. Jesus wants children that have learned to rely on Him!
Also note that the Amount is not Important:
In Matthew 25:14-30 you find that the first two servants are both told they have been faithful, and they both received the same reward. It did not matter what they started with; it did not matter to what degree the increase; what mattered is that they put the master’s resources to use for profit! It mattered How they handled the resources.
Have you ever wondered why God gave the talent of the unfaithful servant to the one who had the most? I don’t know – it doesn’t really matter! Why does someone have more than me: why does someone have less than me? I don’t know this either. We spend too much time trying to figure out God when all He wants is for us to be faithful. What I do know is that I’m only accountable for what He has put in my hand!
Bear in mind that God neither condemns wealth nor commends poverty!
Faith requires Action:
Simply knowing God owns it all is not enough! The lazy servant knew he had his master’s money but chose to do nothing and suffered great loss. Many of us know what we ought to do, but we disobey – or delay. We know deep down what God would have us to do, but we take no action. We take no action because we fear making a mistake, or we become frustrated or confused about what to do. We end up doing what we feel good about. Living by feelings rather than truth can be dangerous!
We are constantly bombarded with the world view; the world view tells us to acquire and to consume! The world view of today is “It’s all about me!” However, the most common world view dictates where you live, how you dress, the car you drive – all to gain stature among men, to appear attractive, or to experience less inconvenience (pain). If you have a Biblical world view then you behavior is dictated by what the Bible says. Your world view will determine if you are a faithful servant!
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