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?

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!

September 20, 2009

God Owns it All!

Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

We learn in Psalms 50:7-12 and Haggai 2:8 that God owns it all. There is nothing in your hand but that God put it there to use. In reality your hours, your automobile, your spouse, your children, your Bass boat, even you 401K belongs to God: we just possess it for a season. What this means then is that we simply become managers of what belongs to God.

Once you come to the realization that you really own nothing but are a stewart (manager) of God's property you can easily come to three truths.

First: God has a right to whatever He wants, whenever He wants it. He’s the owner and has rights. As a steward I only have responsibilities!

If you really believe this then:

a) Each financial decision is a very important decision because you are handling God’s resources.
b) You will have less anxiety over money because you are just a manager; He has promised to meet your needs.

These two facts leads to true contentment. Therefore, whether you have much or little is un-important; what you possess is not yours but God’s to use for a season – He is supplying your needs!

Second: Not only are giving decisions a spiritual decision, but, every spending decision is a spiritual decision.

a) Nothing is more or less spiritual in buying a car, taking a vacation, buying food, or paying a debt; all of these spending decisions are responsible uses of God’s resources.

b) God doesn’t say much about what are correct uses of His resources.

c) God give to us to use resources to:

• Provide for our needs
• Benefit us
• To reach the world for Him
• Bear in mind that God gives latitude and responsibility; we will give an account on how we used His resources. (Matthew 25:14-30)

Third: Wise stewardship is an indicator of spiritual health.

You can fake prayer, bible study, evangelism, and even church going, but your checkbook reveals what is truly important to you!

What are you spending God's resources on? Is it self? Is it to meet the needs of others? Is in to promote the spreading of the Gospel?

Would God be pleased with how you are spending what he has placed in your hand?

Biblical perspective of money - Part 1

The Buck Stops Here!

I'll take full responsibility, as in “You needn't call my boss; the buck stops here.” This saying gained fame as a sign on the desk of President Harry S. Truman. It alludes to another expression that means the opposite, pass the buck.

The Big Picture.

Think of an Iceberg. What you see is about 10% of the total mass of the berg; that means that 90% is below the surface. Concepts about handling money and possessions is just like that. What you see, the techniques, tools, stratigies, and methods, is the 10% - The how to; what you don't see - the Why, is the foundation for decisions and includes the what I call spiritual capital, the eternal perspective.

Introduction to the series:

Series will include the following topics:

· Money: a tool, a test, and a testimony
· God’s idea about finances
· Commonsense principles that can change your life
· How much is enough
· Setting financial fitness goals
· Making smart Choices
· Global economy
· Others possible

Stewardship is a concept recurring throughout the Bible.

· Genesis 15:2 names Eliezer, Abram’s steward
· Genesis 43:18 – 20 discusses Joseph’s steward
· Matthew 20:1-9 discusses a duty of a steward
· 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 says “. . . it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Essentially a steward is charged with the management of the resources of the owner of the resources.

Biblical stewardship is defined as the use of God given gifts and resources (time, talent, treasure, truth and relationships) for the accomplishment of God given goals and objectives.

Compare:

Ownership (full rights) vs. Possession (rights allowed by the owner)

Here is a truth: God owns it all! Read the following passages.

· Psalms 50:7-12 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."
· Haggai 2:8 "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts."

September 13, 2009

Psalm 116

Introduction:

Psalm 116:1-8 "I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."

I love the Lord because:

• He hears our prayers
• He is gracious and merciful
• He preserves me

Psalm 116:12 "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."

What to Render unto the Lord:

• Salvation: “13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”

· Forgiveness of sin is God’s gift
· He wants you to accept it
· He wants you to tell others

• Surrender (yielding): “14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.”

· Render by yielding to Him
· Render by living a Holy life
· Render by living through Him

Romans 6:12-14 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

• (Be a) Saint (finish well): “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
  · Live the Christian life to the end
  · Don’t back slide
  · Grow in the Lord

• (Be a) Servant: “O LORD, truly I am thy servant”
  · Do the works of Christ
  · Give to the needs of others
  · Speak the works of God to others
  · Be an encourager
  · Be humble

• Without bonds! “thou hast loosed my bonds.”
  
• Sacrifice: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving”
  · Render to God thanks for the things He has done for you
  · Take time today and reflect of what God has done for you
  · Give thanks
  · Tell others about what a wonderful God you have.

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian series

Romans 12 is written to those asking the question of how to become more than a believer in Christ but to become a disciple of Christ. The chapter lays out five relationships:
1. Your relationship with God – surrendered to Him
2. Your relationship with the world – separate from the world system
3. Your relationship with yourself - sober assessment
4. Your relationship with believers - serving in love
5. Your relationship with non-believers - supernaturally responding to evil with good

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian - Surrendered

What does it mean to be a Christian?

When I got saved.

I basically grew up in church with two uncles being pastors and Grandpa Williams being the founder of the Hessville Baptist Church. But it wasn’t until age seven that one Sunday I stopped my play and for the first time listened to what my uncle was preaching. The Holy Spirit smote my heart with my need to get saved and to ask for forgiveness for my sin and I responded and walked the aisle. Two Sundays later I got baptized. It was some time after this that I started to wonder that now that I’m saved and on my way to heaven what did that really mean? In other words I was asking “what did God expect from me now that I was His child?” Was it religious practice like my Catholic and Jewish friends; or was it something else?

What do you think God wants from us?

Is it going to church? Reading your bible? Dressing a certain way? Getting holy water sprinkled on you? Memorizing verses,

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Is it what you do – or is it what you are? What was it about the early church that turned the world upside down; what made them special disciples of God?

Romans chapter twelve reveals some answers for What God wants of us as saved persons.

What does God want? First of all He wants a relationship with you!

He wants us Surrendered to Him!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

This first verse has three elements; a command, a motivation and a reason.

Command
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Notice that it says a living sacrifice. This was not a onetime sacrifice where an animal was slain once, but He wants us daily, living still and giving your life to him

Motivation
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Our motivation is that we should want to give our life to Him because He has had mercy on us and forgiven us of our sin; not because it was deserved or worked for but simply because He has mercy on your soul.

Reason
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

God does not expect unreasonable service. His expectation is for us to live a sacrificial life that is holy – that is the acceptable life.

Embracing Surrender

So, just how do you do this? It’s like you are going to write a personal check to God, the amount of the check is All that you are and all that you have; then you endorse the check and present it to Him!

All that I am: Body, Mind, Emotions, Spirit, and Giftedness.

All that I have: Money, Possessions, Relationships, Reputation, Skills, and Abilities.

Command: Offer your body as a living sacrifice.

It’s putting all the chips on the table and say to God here is everything that I have.

Motivation: An awareness and thankfulness of God’s mercy to you.

Reason: Offering your body as a living sacrifice

It’s an act of worship that is holy and pleasing to God. We sometimes get so caught up in doing things that seem to be the right "religious" things to do when what God wants is for us to just be surrendered to him in every thing.

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian - Separate

Introduction Separate from the World

Have you ever wondered how a Christian can get the Best from God. Ever wonder why there are so many people who confess Christ but so few disciples? There are Christians whose walk doesn’t match the talk, which has behavior of addictive sin, one foot in the world one, one foot in heaven: we all struggle with the lures of the world.

To get the best God has to offer He instructs us: “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”. Romans 12:2

This verse simply teaches two ideas: NO (Stop Doing This) - Do not be conformed to this world; and YES (Start Doing This) - Be transformed by the renewing of your mind .

By obeying Gods instruction found in Romans 12:2 you will realize three outcomes leading to God’s Will:

• Good - Brings good into your life.
• Pleasing/Acceptable - Meets your deepest needs.
• Perfect - Produces positive results.
  

What do you think the Bible means to not be conformed to the world?

The World system teaches that: your significance, your worth, how you dress, who you marry, your beauty, your cloths, your car, your home, and your job all dictate whether you will be happy. This lie is fed to us daily, taught to us in school and believed by most of the world. But God says that this just lead to unhappiness!

Compare 1 John 2:15-17 to the world system.

Separate from the World: 1 John 2:15-17

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

What the World Offers You:

We are a sex saturated, materialistic society; one foot in the world and one out; this leads to unhappiness and guilt!

• Lust - Lust of the flesh
• Greed - Lust of the eyes
• Pride - The pride of life
  

There was an old sailor who had neither wife nor children. Over his life time he had gathered a bag of natural pearls that he could sell for great value. He met a little girl on the beach who was on vacation who befriends him. She had a string of plastic beads which she treasured. He decided to string the pearls and give them to the little girl. He offered her the real pearls for the string of plastic beads and she refused saying that these were her beads and she would not give them up for anything.

Many of us have plastic pearls:

• A car or house that you really can’t afford
• Extravagant goods
• Flirting, alcohol, food
• Second rate stuff

God is offering you a much more valuable life that the plastic that the world can offer; He is offering you the real thing!

Transformation of the mind:

The second part of the command is to transform your mind. You’ve got to start thinking right, you can’t do it on your own. It takes a supernatural power! You must start putting God’s word into your mind. Memorize bible verses; turn off the television and dwell on what God has to say to you. The Holy Spirit will take God’s word that you have hid in your mind and turn your thinking!

God wants you to have pleasure and things: the right things at the right time and in the right way!

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian - sober self assessment

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Have you ever noticed how we behave differently according to who we are around? We behave one way at church, another way while at work, and still another way in the home, and perhaps differently when in the store. There is a lizard called a Chameleon that changes its color according to it’s surroundings. We are very much like this in that we try to hide who we are by portraying a different image according to our surroundings. Verse 3 of Romans 12 tells us to think soberly, to have some introspection of oneself reveals us all to be nothing but big phonies.

We will spend our lives asking & answering three basic questions:

Our Questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What am I supposed to do with my life?

Our Longing: Identity Security Significance

For the rest of your life you will be asking these questions and the world system will give you false answers. But in Romans 12:3-8 God answers these questions for you.

We behave like a chameleon due to sin; after Adam sinned and God asked the question “Adam where are you” he responded “I was afraid, so I hid”: We have been hiding ever since that time. Who am I? I have shame due to sin, I hide myself behind false views of who I am; not wanting others to see who I really am!

The Command verse 3 “think soberly”

Principle: Don’t think wrongly about yourself.

Application: Be honest in your self-assessment. Avoid both arrogance and false humility.

The Reason verse 4-5

Principle: We are part of Christ’s body – the Church.

Application: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses as well as the strengths and weaknesses of others.

Put It in Practice verse 6-8

Principle: Do what God has created you to do in the Church.

Application: You have a gift your church needs – use it!

Pride is the most inhibiting thing in everyone’s life and scripture is clear in this that God hates pride – self sufficiency. The most liberating thing that happens to you when you got saved is that you don’t have to hide anymore; you can be who you are, knowing that you are part of the supernatural body of Christ with a specific purpose!

An exercise: Strengths and weaknesses:

Jot down the top three of each. Most people can jot down their weaknesses easy and but have to search for their strengths (false humility). But the truth is that we all have strengths that God has given us for his work, and weaknesses, so that we are dependent on others in the body of Christ.

When you discover who God made you to be and you start operating in the way God intended for you, you will have great satisfaction in life!

Three things to remember:

1. You are unconditionally loved.
2. You are uniquely made.
3. God has a plan for your life.
   

You can spend your life answering the question “who am I?” incorrectly and seek worldly rewards ($, position, things, fame) changing how people see you to please people (who don’t really care) by hiding who you really are

or

You can accept who God made you to be and use the gifts He has gifted you with to fulfill His eternal purpose.

It’s up to you.

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian – Serving others

Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment; John 13: 34, 35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

This is not a superficial love but a deeper, sacrificial, God given love; one whereby the depth if it would be noticed by others.

One of Jesus’ last earthly prayers is recorded in John 17:11 “. . . and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

“. . . that they may be one, as we are” In other words, Jesus expects us to be doing life from the heart. He wants us to love one another in such a way as we can feel free to bear our own heart to our brothers and sisters in Him. It is getting and giving life to others!

Romans 12: 9 – 13 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

We are to become a family with strong bonds between each other!

Romans 12:9 – 13 speak to how to do this and are outlined as follows:

· The Real You
· Meeting Real Needs
· For the Right Reason
· In the Right Way

The Real You: - “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

· The word “dissimulation” is rooted in the theater where the actors would present themselves as a different character by use of a mask. God is asking us to remove the mask that we hide behind; be open, honest, with out hypocrisy

· People hide behind a mask to hide their sinful nature. When Adam sinned the first thing he did was to hide. When Christians are in sin they will hide behind the mask of Christianity; we learn the right words to say, the right things to do, and yet, our hearts are black with the sin in our lives. God’s love can only flow through a clean vessel. Clean up your heart, confess your sin to God and turn from it.

Meeting Real Needs: - “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

· Being a disciple of Christ brings deep devotion, unselfish behavior to other Christians.
o Encouraging
o Right words
o Having empathy
o There is pain in every pew
· Not just giving, but receiving

For the Right Reason: - “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

· Not slow but fervent
· Doing all things as an offering to God

In the Right Way: - “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

· Not to receive praise of men
· Have an Upward focus
· Treat others as Jesus would
· God’s love to others flows from His Spirit presence living in a Christian
· You must invest time and money in someone else.

Becoming a Romans 12 Christian – Supernatural response

Who is that one person in your life that has wounded you? Perhaps that person stole from you, abused you, or hurt you in some significant way? This is the person who when you think of them emotions well up in you that are very uncomfortable to bear. You may have lost sleep over this person or you may even have feeling of hatred towards that person.

How do you, as a disciple of Christ, deal with that person? The world teaches you to lash out to hate, to despise, to get revenge, or to hurt them back in a similar or more aggressive way. But how would Christ behave towards that person?

Remember that life is about relationships and relationships are about love. Loving God is being surrendered to Him. Not loving the world is being separate from the world and its system. Loving self is having a sober view of who you are and how you fit. Loving others means that you are seeking ways to serve and care for other’s needs as an offering to God.

Matthew 5:43 – 44 says “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; . . .”

So, what does it look like to love your enemies? First of all it is not possible, humanly speaking, to do this. It takes a Supernatural Power within you; it takes the power of Christ working through you to love your enemies! Romans 12:14 – 21 gives instructions on how to do it.

Romans 12:14-21 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

There are three separate commands here:

1. Romans 12:14-16 commands us to bless those who persecute you.
2. Romans 12:17-20 commands us to not take revenge; for a Christian personal retaliation is not an option!
3. Romans 12:21 commands us to repay evil with good.

So, how do you bless those that persecute you, not take revenge, and do good to those who have hurt you? Forgiveness is the key!

Forgiving, like loving, is more that just saying the words! How many times in your life have you told someone that you forgive them (because that is the expected thing to do) only to harbor bitterness in your heart towards that person?

Just like loving someone, forgiving is an action and it is a progression over time.

· Forgive: Forgiving someone is an act of the will. You make a conscious decision to forgive – you say, before God, “I forgive you” and you really mean it. Your action is to release the person to God for His handling.
· Forgiving: Forgiving is a process, you must forgive that person every day that the hurt and bitterness comes back; you’ve got to “let it go!” Your action is to align your emotions by an act of your will; it takes a period of time for your emotions to catch up with your will.
· Forgiven: You get to this point when your desire is to bless your enemy; literally you will want their salvation, you will want God’s blessing of forgiveness to fall on them – just like it fell once upon you! God forgave you – you should want God to forgive them also!

The progression may be evidenced by your prayers as follows:

· Dear God help them see the error of their ways; to
· Dear God Bring discipline on them so that they will repent; to
· Dear God I don’t want what I deserve, please don’t give them what they deserve; have mercy on them. (Luke 23:24)

The lesson on having a supernatural response for a disciple of Christ is for you to forgive those that have wronged you, do good to them as God has done good to you!

I'm praying for each reader to strive to become a Romans chapter 12 Christian.

Ed

What's a Child to Do?

What’s a Child to Do?

Introduction – God’s First Words to Children

Ephesians viewpoint of children:

• Patria Poestas – The father’s power is absolute: to sell you, to take your life; for the lifetime of the father.
• Power to accept or reject: child laid at fathers feet – to accept by picking up the child or to reject by turning away: if rejected infant is taken to forum or destroyed.
• Unwanted children: too many mouths to feed. Children taken to forum and left; may be claimed by others who would sell child as slave (male) or prostitute (female).
• Merciless to the deformed or sickly child.

It is the bible and Christ that changed the culture by the introduction of family.

The first time God spoke to man at Mount Sinai he gave commandments; the first commandment regarding human relationships was the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12)

The Command – “Honour thy father and thy mother:”
The Promise – “that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
Exodus 20:12

I. What Does It Mean “To Honor” Your Parents?

• Definition = lit. “to glorify, to ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard”
• Word Usage in Old Testament =
  Leviticus 19:3 – to fear, have awe, and respect.
  Deuteronomy 26:19 – give fame, praise, and speak well of a person.
  1 Sam 2:29-30 – wants to please and above any other relationship

II. Why Did God Give This Command?

1. It is the Foundation for Human Relationships: Honor is the foundation of all human relationships; this is God’s plan

2. It is the Foundation for Respect of Authority: God wants us to have reverence, obedience and respect for authority; He wants us to submit to an authority figure that we can see as a child so that when we are older we will submit to an authority that we cannot see.

3. It is the Foundation of Human development: How you relate to your parents will impact every area of your life. How you relate, how you love, how you obey, how you respect, how you respond: your relationship with your parents is the most fundamental shaping relationship you will every experience in the world. For better or worse, how you view your sexuality, your self image, your values, your morals, your principals are shaped by this relationship and are what you will become.

Parents, you are to live in such a way that you will deserve honor; Kids, there is a guardian, an authority figure, over you to whom you are to revere, respect, and obey as though they are speaking for God!

III. What Does It Look Like To Honor Our Parents?

• As a Child, I honor my parents by obeying them.

"Children, obey (obey = hoopo+achuo; under the sound of a voice) your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (God says so) Honour thy father and mother; which is the first (priority ranking) commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-3

Summary: When you obey your parent, you are obeying God!

Definition of a parent = In loco dia which is Latin for instead of or in place of God.

Three thoughts about biblical obedience:

• It must be immediate
• It must be complete (the bible is full of examples of incomplete obedience, Saul being one of then). Partial obedience is dis-obedience.
• It is attitude: your body language must be right, your actions must be right, your eyes must be right: obedience must be from the heart!

Obey even if you do not agree with the command. Decide that I am going to obey mother, not because she is right (she is human after all), but because God ordained her to be my mother. When you do that all of God’s blessing will flow into into your life.

Another observation:

This passage was written at a time that it would be read to the church. Since this is a command directed to children then children would have been present to hear God’s command to them. This verse was written directly to children.

Three observations:

1. God addresses children directly, children have great value in His eyes.
2. Children are accountable for commands that they hear.
3. Since children were present with their families, it is meant for families to worship together!

• As a Young Person, I honor my parents by respecting and cooperating with them.

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22

"Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness." Proverbs 20:20

God is very serious about disobedient children, in fact He ranks disobedience right up with murder, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, and inventors of evil things. See Romans 1:29-30

Also repeated in 2 Timothy 3:2 “. . . disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. . .”

God is serious about disrespect – see Deut: 21:18-21 for the Old Testament solution for rebellious child.

• As an Adult, I honor my parents by affirmation and provision.

(Affirmation verses)

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.” (Affirmation by words) Proverbs 23:24

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” (Affirmation by action) Proverbs 3:27

The greatest gift of affirmation is your character; it’s who you are not how successful or rich.

Key words:

1. Communication (call them, write – e-mail them),
2. thoughtfulness (include them in special events), and
3. Respect (Ask them for some advice).
   
   (Provision verses)

“But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” 1Timothy 5:4

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1Timothy 5:8

Also see Matthew 15:1-9

IV. Are There Times When We Can’t Honor Our Parents’ Wishes? Yes!

Mark 10:23–31 = The Priority of Salvation
Luke 9:59–62 = The Priority of Service
Ephesians 5:31-33 = The Priority of Marriage
Proverbs 9:7–9 = The Priority of Wisdom


Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think God makes the family such a high priority? How does He feel about children?
2. How does our culture’s view of both “authority” and “aging” affect our obedience to the 5th Command?
3. In what ways do you feel good about how you are “honoring your parents?” Which aspects need some attention? How will you address these?
4. Where do you find it difficult “to know” exactly what honoring your parents looks like? Who could you talk to get help in this area?