Sermon Summary
This 4th of July, Pastor Chris wrapped up our “Choose Wisely” sermon series, honing in on the theme of Biblical,financial wisdom. Throughout Proverbs, Solomon gives us a clear path to follow in order to live in wisdom with our money. Jesus himself spoke more of money and possessions than he did of heaven and hell combined. Pastor Chris shared how our money has the ability to reveal the posture of our hearts. The way in which we steward our money and possessions can become a temperature gauge for how aligned, or unaligned, our hearts are with God.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
5 Timeless Truths on Money & Possessions
1. Pray for Financial Wisdom – Wisdom is more worthy than material possessions.
Proverbs 3:13–15 (ESV)
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
7 Money Personalities1. The Hoarder – money equals security.2. The Spender – money equals reward.3. The Avoider – money equals stress.4. The Hater – money equals evil or danger.5. The Manipulator – money equals influence or control.6. The Show-Off – money equals status. 7. The Giver – money equals love.
Perspectives of Possessions• What’s mine is mine – the selfish mindset
Proverbs 1:19 [NLT]
Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.• What’s yours is mine – the stealing mindset
Proverbs 30:15 [ESV]
The leech has two daughters: Give and Give…never satisfied…never say, “Enough”:• What’s mine is His – the stewarding mindset
Proverbs 21:26 [NLT]
Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
2. Be Careful About Debt – Freedom from debt can feel like real deliverance, because it is.
“One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.”
Proverbs 17:18 (NIV)
“The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is slave to the lender.”
Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
3. Invest in Eternal Things – We can’t take it with us, but we can send it ahead of us. Are we being wise stewards for eternity, or are we living for this world?
Proverbs 23:4–5 (ESV)
4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Matthew 6:21 (NLT)
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Proverbs 27:23–24 (NLT)
23 Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, 24 for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
4. God Blesses Faithful Stewards – If you want to be wise, follow God’s plan by submitting to His way.
Proverbs 3:5–12 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first–fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
5. Live Generously – Faith is intricately tied to generosity. If we give to the point where it scares us, God will show up time and time again. It is not possible to outgive God. Only what is given can be multiplied.
Proverbs 22:9 (ESV)
9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)
17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Acts 20:35 (ESV)
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
“Satan uses these tactics to enslave people financially: greed, the lust for power, pride, and fear…especially fear of financial insecurity.” Loren Cunningham
Proverbs 3:27 (ESV)
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 14:21 (ESV)
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 22:9 (ESV)
9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (NLT)
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Proverbs 10:22 (NLT)
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NLT)
18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
4 Reasons for Christians Give Generously?
1. God is a generous giver.
John 3:16
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Your wallet is God’s scalpel for heart surgery.
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. You cannot take it with you, but you can send it ahead.
Matthew 6:19-20
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
4. Giving is a blessing
Acts 20:35 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Discussion Questions
1. The Bible says that wisdom is more worthy than material possessions. Do you agree? Do you live in light of this reality?
2. What would change if Christians prayed more for wisdom in dealing with their money than for financial provision or blessing?
3. Have you ever let fear of financial insecurity keep you from tithing?
4. What role does faith play in fostering generosity in our hearts?
5. Chris said that “generosity kills greed”. Do you agree? Are there any areas in your life where you could come against the spirit of greed by choosing to give generously?
6. How can we invest in eternity? What can this look like practically?
Application Questions
1. Look at the 7 money personality types. Which one are you currently? Which would you like to be? Ask the Lord to reveal your heart in this area, and ask Him to align you with His heart for your finances. Make specific changes in light of this.
2. Do you have a selfish, stealing, or stewarding perspective on your finances? If you struggle with stewarding God’s money He has entrusted you with, ask Him to give you revelation on the root issue. Commit to submitting to His will and His plan as He reveals it to you.
3. Answer honestly: are you currently living as a wise steward with eternity in mind, or are you using God’s resources for this world? Ask God to give you vision for the eternal this week.