• Money is a very sensitive topic for most people.

• Many hearts have been greatly offended by various abuses causing them to fear and avoid the topic of money.

• Everyone has an opinion or reaction to money.

– Some embrace the topic with gladness

– Others run and avoid the topic with passion

Ephesians 4:11Ephesians 4:11--14 14 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1111“And“And HeHe gavegave somesome toto bebe apostles,apostles, somesome prophets,prophets, somesome evangelists,evangelists, andand somesome pastorspastors andand teachersteachers..””

Ephesians 4:11Ephesians 4:11--14 14 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1212“For“For thethe equippingequipping ofof thethe saintssaints forfor thethe workwork ofof thethe ministry,ministry, forfor thethe edifyingedifying ofof thethe bodybody ofof ChristChrist..””

Ephesians 4:11Ephesians 4:11--14 14 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1313“Till“Till wewe allall comecome toto thethe unityunity ofof thethe faithfaith andand ofof thethe knowledgeknowledge ofof thethe SonSon ofof God,God, toto aa perfectperfect man,man, toto thethe measuremeasure ofof thethe staturestature ofof thethe fullnessfullness ofof ChristChrist..””

Ephesians 4:11Ephesians 4:11--14 14 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1414“That“That wewe shouldshould nono longerlonger bebe childrenchildren tossedtossed toto andand frofro andand carriedcarried aboutabout withwith everyevery windwind ofof doctrinedoctrine,, byby thethe trickerytrickery ofof men,men, inin thethe cunningcunning craftinesscraftiness ofof deceitfuldeceitful plottingplotting..””

2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:16--17 17 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1616““AllAll ScriptureScripture isis givengiven byby inspirationinspiration ofof GodGod andand isis profitableprofitable forfor doctrine,doctrine, forfor reproof,reproof, forfor correction,correction, forfor instructioninstruction inin righteousnessrighteousness..””

2 Timothy 3:162 Timothy 3:16--17 17 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1717“That“That thethe manman ofof GodGod maymay bebe completecomplete,, thoroughlythoroughly equippedequipped forfor everyevery goodgood workwork..””

3 John 1:23 John 1:2--4 4 ( K J V )( K J V )

22“Beloved,“Beloved, II wishwish aboveabove allall thingsthings thatthat thouthou prosperprosper andand bebe inin health,health, eveneven asas thythy soulsoul prosperethprospereth..””

3 John 1:23 John 1:2--4 4 ( K J V )( K J V )

33“For“For II rejoicedrejoiced greatly,greatly, whenwhen thethe brethrenbrethren camecame andand testifiedtestified ofof thethe TruthTruth thatthat isis inin thee,thee, eveneven asas thouthou walkestwalkest inin thethe TruthTruth..””

3 John 1:23 John 1:2--4 4 ( K J V )( K J V )

44“I“I havehave nono greatergreater joyjoy thanthan toto hearhear thatthat mymy childrenchildren walkwalk inin TruthTruth..””

• True prosperity is wholeness in our entire spirit, soul and body.

• True prosperity is wholeness in every area of our lives.

Psalm 1:1Psalm 1:1--4 4 ( N LT )( N LT )

11“Oh“Oh thethe joysjoys ofof thosethose whowho dodo notnot followfollow thethe adviceadvice ofof thethe wicked,wicked, oror standstand aroundaround withwith sinners,sinners, oror joinjoin inin withwith mockersmockers..””

Psalm 1:1Psalm 1:1--4 4 ( N LT )( N LT )

22“But“But theythey delightdelight inin thethe lawlaw ofof thethe Lord,Lord, meditatingmeditating onon itit dayday andand nightnight..””

Psalm 1:1Psalm 1:1--4 4 ( N LT )( N LT )

33“They“They areare likelike treestrees plantedplanted alongalong thethe riverbank,riverbank, bearingbearing fruitfruit eacheach seasonseason.. TheirTheir leavesleaves nevernever wither,wither, andand theythey prosperprosper inin allall theythey dodo..””

Psalm 1:1Psalm 1:1--4 4 ( N LT )( N LT )

44“But“But notnot thethe wicked!wicked! TheyThey areare likelike worthlessworthless chaff,chaff, scatteredscattered byby thethe windwind..””

• A Prosperous Soul: – Meditates on His Word day and night

– John 6:63

– Matthew 4:4

• A life that is not fruitful is a life that is not prosperous.

• Life in Christ is destined to be fruitful.

• God’s perspective of prosperity is wholeness and fruitfulness in every area of our lives.

• Why?

• We have the Presence of God!

– We are born of His Seed.

– We are born of His Nature.

– We are filled w/ His fullness.

• We are planted by the River of Life!

2 Samuel 6:11 2 Samuel 6:11 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1111“The“The arkark ofof thethe LordLord remainedremained inin thethe househouse ofof ObedObed--EdomEdom thethe GittiteGittite threethree monthsmonths.. AndAnd thethe LordLord blessedblessed ObedObed--EdomEdom andand allall hishis householdhousehold..””

1 Chronicles 13:14 1 Chronicles 13:14 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1414“The“The arkark ofof GodGod remainedremained withwith thethe familyfamily ofof ObedObed--EdomEdom inin hishis househouse threethree monthsmonths.. AndAnd thethe LordLord blessedblessed thethe househouse ofof ObedObed--EdomEdom andand allall thatthat hehe hadhad..””

• We are Blessed!

– Whatever we do should prosper

– Wherever we go should prosper

– Whatever we touch should prosper

• Whatever we do is destined to prosper because His Life and His Presence is in us.

• Few people connect their spiritual walk with their finances.

• Many sincere people have a tendency to compartmentalize their lives. – Natural lives vs spiritual lives

– Finances vs spiritual.

• In this series we are going to cover:

– Some obvious things

– Some misconceptions

– Some profound Truths

– Some practical wisdom

• The Treasures of Your Heart

• The Value of Giving

• The Value of Believing

• The Value of Stewardship

• The Value of Work

1. The Treasures of Your Heart

• Jesus spoke on finances more than any other subject.

• From God’s perspective, finances is a very important topic.

• Why?

Matthew 6:19Matthew 6:19--21 21 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1919“Do“Do notnot laylay forfor yourselvesyourselves treasurestreasures onon earth,earth, wherewhere mothmoth andand rustrust destroydestroy andand wherewhere thievesthieves breakbreak inin andand stealsteal..””

Matthew 6:19Matthew 6:19--21 21 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2020“But“But laylay upup forfor yourselvesyourselves treasurestreasures inin heaven,heaven, wherewhere neitherneither mothmoth nornor rustrust destroysdestroys andand wherewhere thievesthieves dodo notnot breakbreak inin andand stealsteal..””

Matthew 6:19Matthew 6:19--21 21 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2121“For“For wherewhere youryour treasuretreasure isis therethere youryour heartheart willwill bebe alsoalso..””

• God is not after your finances…

GOD IS AFTER YOUR HEART!

• How we relate to money matters.

• How we relate to money reveals what we truly value.

• Finances effect our everyday lives.

• Finances effect every area of our lives. – Marriages

– Children

– Lifestyle choices

– Ministries

– Dreams & Destinies

– And more…

Matthew 6:21 Matthew 6:21 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2121“For“For wherewhere youryour treasuretreasure isis therethere youryour heartheart willwill bebe alsoalso..””

• Your attitude and behavior towards finances will reveal what you treasure.

• Your heart will go where your money is.

• “If they only knew my heart.”

– What you treasure reveals where your heart is:

• Finances

• Family

• Church

• The Kingdom of God

• Etc.

• People either: – Have such an attitude and/or misconceptions

towards finances AND/OR,

– Have such a reliance or love for money that they avoid the subject OR,

– Have an eagerness to learn and embrace the subject with gladness.

• Finances will reveal the condition of the heart faster than anything else.

• Many people are very protective of their hearts concerning finances.

• Finances will always reveal either: – A heart that wants to serve and worship Him OR,

– A heart that needs to be whole. (3 John 1:2)

• Riches are not the problem. – What are we trusting in?

– What has our heart?

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1717“Now“Now asas HeHe waswas goinggoing outout onon thethe road,road, oneone camecame running,running, kneltknelt beforebefore Him,Him, andand askedasked Him,Him, ‘Good‘Good Teacher,Teacher, whatwhat shallshall II dodo thatthat II maymay inheritinherit eternaleternal life?’”life?’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1818“So“So JesusJesus saidsaid toto him,him, ‘Why‘Why dodo youyou callcall MeMe good?good? NoNo oneone isis goodgood butbut One,One, thatthat is,is, GodGod..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1919“’You“’You knowknow thethe commandmentscommandments:: “Do“Do notnot commitcommit adultery,”adultery,” “Do“Do notnot murder,”murder,” ““ DoDo notnot steal,”steal,” “Do“Do notnot bearbear falsefalse witness,”witness,” “Do“Do notnot defraud,”defraud,” “Honor“Honor youryour fatherfather andand youryour mothermother..”’””’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2020“And“And hehe answeredanswered andand saidsaid toto Him,Him, ‘Teacher,‘Teacher, allall thesethese thingsthings II havehave keptkept fromfrom mymy youthyouth..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2121“Then“Then Jesus,Jesus, lookinglooking atat him,him, lovedloved himhim,, andand saidsaid toto him,him, ‘One‘One thingthing youyou lacklack:: GoGo youryour way,way, sellsell toto thethe poor,poor, andand youyou willwill havehave treasuretreasure inin heavenheaven;; andand come,come, taketake--upup thethe cross,cross, andand followfollow MeMe..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2222“But“But hehe waswas sadsad atat thisthis word,word, andand wentwent awayaway sorrowful,sorrowful, forfor hehe hadhad greatgreat possessionspossessions..””

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2323“Then“Then JesusJesus lookedlooked aroundaround andand saidsaid toto HisHis disciples,disciples, ‘How‘How hardhard itit isis forfor thosethose whowho havehave richesriches toto enterenter thethe KingdomKingdom ofof GodGod..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2424“And“And thethe disciplesdisciples werewere astonishedastonished atat HisHis wordswords.. ButBut JesusJesus answeredanswered againagain andand saidsaid toto them,them, ‘Children,‘Children, howhow hardhard itit isis forfor thosethose whowho trusttrust inin richesriches toto enterenter thethe KingdomKingdom ofof GodGod..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2525“’It“’It isis easiereasier forfor aa camelcamel toto gogo throughthrough thethe eyeeye ofof aa needleneedle thanthan forfor aa richrich manman toto enterenter thethe KingdomKingdom ofof GodGod..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2626“And“And theythey werewere greatlygreatly astonished,astonished, sayingsaying amongamong themselves,themselves, ‘Who‘Who thenthen cancan bebe saved?’”saved?’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2727“But“But JesusJesus lookedlooked atat themthem andand said,said, ‘With‘With manman itit isis impossible,impossible, butbut notnot withwith God,God, forfor withwith GodGod allall thingsthings areare possiblepossible..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2828“Then“Then PeterPeter beganbegan toto saysay toto Him,Him, ‘See‘See wewe havehave leftleft allall andand followedfollowed YouYou..’”’”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2929“So“So JesusJesus answeredanswered andand said,said, ‘Assuredly,‘Assuredly, II saysay toto you,you, therethere isis nono oneone whowho hashas leftleft househouse oror brothersbrothers oror sisterssisters oror fatherfather oror mothermother oror wifewife oror childrenchildren oror lands,lands, forfor MyMy sakesake andand thethe Gospel’sGospel’s,”,”

Mark 10:17Mark 10:17--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

3030““whowho shallshall notnot receivereceive aa hundredfoldhundredfold nownow inin thisthis timetime——houseshouses andand brothersbrothers andand sisterssisters andand mothersmothers andand childrenchildren andand lands,lands, withwith persecutionspersecutions andand inin thethe ageage toto come,come, eternaleternal lifelife..””

• The Rich Young Ruler: – Genuinely sought (ran to) Jesus

– Asked: “What must I do to have eternal life?”

• Jesus: – Loved him

– Was not angry w/ him

– Revealed what was in his heart

– Showed him one thing he lacked

• Many well-meaning Christians: – Trust their own management of their finances

more, than they trust God’s Word in obtaining a….

100-FOLD RETURN ON THEIR GIVING

IN THIS L IFE !

• Honestly:

– For some it is easier to trust their riches than a Promise from God.

– How many of us have struggled with trusting God with our finances?

• Sin: – Trying to satisfy a need God has already provided

on our own effort.

• Sin Consciousness: – Living in state of mind that is separated from God

and denying the provision He has already provided for you.

• Faith comes by hearing the Word. – Romans 10:17

• Nothing will destroy faith more than a consciousness of sin.

Hebrews 11:6 Hebrews 11:6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

66“But“But withoutwithout faithfaith itit isis impossibleimpossible toto pleaseplease Him,Him, forfor hehe thatthat comescomes toto GodGod mustmust believebelieve thatthat HeHe is,is, andand thatthat HeHe isis aa rewarderrewarder ofof thosethose whowho diligentlydiligently seekseek HimHim..””

Galatians 5:6 Galatians 5:6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

66“For“For inin JesusJesus ChristChrist neitherneither circumcisioncircumcision nornor uncircumcisionuncircumcision availsavails anything,anything, butbut faithfaith workingworking throughthrough lovelove..””

Philemon 1:6 Philemon 1:6 ( K J V )( K J V )

66“That“That thethe communicationcommunication ofof thythy faithfaith maymay becomebecome effectualeffectual byby thethe acknowledgingacknowledging ofof everyevery goodgood thingthing whichwhich isis inin youyou inin ChristChrist JesusJesus.. ””

Mark 10:29Mark 10:29--30 30 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

3030““whowho shallshall notnot receivereceive aa hundredfoldhundredfold nownow inin thisthis timetime——houseshouses andand brothersbrothers andand sisterssisters andand mothersmothers andand childrenchildren andand lands,lands, withwith persecutionspersecutions andand inin thethe ageage toto come,come, eternaleternal lifelife..””

• How many trust:

WHATEVER I SOW FOR HIS SAKE AND THE GOSPEL’S

I WILL RECEIVE A 100-FOLD RETURN

IN THIS L IFE !

• Jesus was not trying to take from him.

• Jesus wanted to multiply what he would give in faith, trusting God.

• God is not after your finances…

GOD IS AFTER YOUR HEART!

• Jesus wanted the man to trust Him in giving vs trusting the false security of hoarding his treasures.

• There is true security and prosperity in the Promises of God vs. our riches.

• PLEASE NOTE: – Jesus is not telling all of us to sell everything we

have and give it to the poor.

– God is not telling us we can’t have anything and we must give it all away.

– Jesus was revealing his heart (his treasure)!

• Zacchaeus: (Luke 19:1-10)

– Jesus touched his heart.

– Zacchaeus own response:

• “I will give ½ my goods to the poor; I will restore 4-fold from those I stole from.”

– Jesus response:

• “Salvation has come to this house.”

• Be honest:

– Do you have possessions or do they have you?

• Who is in control?

• What is controlling your trust?

• Who is your Lord? – God or Mammon?

• Where is your heart?

• Where is your treasure?

• Where is your security?

• What are you trusting?

• What is the Source of your prosperity?

1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:17--18 18 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1717““CommandCommand thosethose whowho areare richrich inin thisthis presentpresent ageage notnot toto bebe haughty,haughty, nornor toto trusttrust inin thethe uncertainuncertain richesriches butbut inin thethe LivingLiving God,God, WhoWho givesgives richlyrichly allall thingsthings toto enjoyenjoy..””

1 Timothy 6:171 Timothy 6:17--18 18 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1818“Let“Let themthem dodo good,good, thatthat theythey bebe richrich inin goodgood works,works, readyready toto give,give, willingwilling toto shareshare..””

• We must learn to trust Him in sowing and reaping as we did in the uncertainty of riches.

• There is true security in giving when you trust God instead of clinging to uncertain riches.

• Are we really in control of our finances or are our finances controlling us?

• We have to answer these questions honestly as: – Individuals

– A Family

– A Church

• How often do our finances control our faith? – In what we are believing God for

– In what He is calling us to do

• Trusting God does not equate being: – Hasty

– Irresponsible

– Poor stewards

– Shrewd

– Creating unnecessary financial stress on:

• Ourselves

• Our Families

• Our Church

• We have to apply these same principles to the vision God has given us as a church.

• As a church, we must trust God in what He is calling us to do, not uncertain riches.

• (2) Extremes: 1. Poverty and Holiness are synonymous.

2. Wealth and Riches equates great faith.

Micah 4:12 Micah 4:12 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1212“But“But theythey dodo notnot knowknow thethe thoughtsthoughts ofof thethe Lord,Lord, nornor dodo theythey understandunderstand HisHis counselcounsel;; ForFor HeHe willwill gathergather themthem likelike sheavessheaves toto thethe threshingthreshing floorfloor.. ””

1. Poverty and Holiness are synonymous. – Poverty is virtuous

– Vow of Poverty

– “Money is the root of all evil”

• It is intellectually dishonest to teach God wills for poverty.

• Poverty is a curse

Psalm 35:27 Psalm 35:27 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2727“Let“Let themthem rejoicerejoice andand bebe glad,glad, whowho favorfavor MyMy righteousrighteous causecause;; andand letlet themthem saysay continuallycontinually,, ‘Let‘Let thethe LordLord bebe magnifiedmagnified inin thethe prosperityprosperity ofof HisHis servantservant..’’ ””

Proverbs 10:22 Proverbs 10:22 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

2222“The“The blessingblessing ofof thethe LordLord makesmakes oneone rich,rich, andand HeHe addsadds nono sorrowsorrow withwith itit.. ””

Deuteronomy 8:18 Deuteronomy 8:18 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1818“And“And youyou shallshall rememberremember thethe LordLord youryour God,God, forfor itit isis HeHe WhoWho givesgives youyou powerpower toto getget wealth,wealth, thatthat HeHe maymay establishestablish HisHis covenantcovenant whichwhich HeHe sworeswore toto youryour fathers,fathers, asas itit isis todaytoday.. ””

• God give us the power to get wealth?

TO ESTABLISH HIS COVENANT!!

3 John 1:2 3 John 1:2 ( K J V )( K J V )

22“Beloved,“Beloved, II wishwish aboveabove allall thingsthings thatthat thouthou prosperprosper andand bebe inin health,health, eveneven asas thythy soulsoul prosperethprospereth..””

Psalm 84:11 Psalm 84:11 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

1111“For“For thethe LordLord GodGod isis aa sunsun andand shieldshield;; thethe LordLord willwill givegive gracegrace andand gloryglory;; nono goodgood thingthing willwill HeHe withholdwithhold fromfrom thosethose whowho walkwalk uprightlyuprightly..””

• Job (Job 1:3, 10)

• Abraham (Genesis 3:2; 19:23)

• Isaac (Genesis 26:12-16)

• Jacob (Genesis 30:41-43)

• Joseph (Genesis 39:2)

• David

• Solomon

2. Wealth and riches equate great faith

– “A man’s faith is measured by his wealth.”

– ‘prosperity gospel’

– ‘Get rich quick’ scheme

1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:3--6 6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

33“If“If anyoneanyone teachesteaches otherwiseotherwise andand doesdoes notnot consentconsent toto wholesomewholesome words,words, eveneven thethe WordsWords ofof ourour LordLord JesusJesus Christ,Christ, andand toto thethe doctrinedoctrine whichwhich accordsaccords withwith godlinessgodliness.. ””

1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:3--6 6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

44“He“He isis proud,proud, knowingknowing nothing,nothing, butbut hehe isis obsessedobsessed withwith disputesdisputes andand argumentsarguments overover words,words, fromfrom whichwhich comecome envy,envy, strife,strife, reviling,reviling, evilevil suspicionssuspicions.. ””

1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:3--6 6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

55“Useless“Useless wranglingswranglings ofof menmen ofof corruptcorrupt mindsminds andand destitutedestitute ofof thethe TruthTruth,, whowho supposesuppose thatthat godlinessgodliness isis aa meansmeans ofof gaingain.. FromFrom suchsuch withdrawwithdraw yourselfyourself.. ””

1 Timothy 6:31 Timothy 6:3--6 6 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

66“Now“Now godlinessgodliness withwith contentmentcontentment isis greatgreat gaingain..””

1 Timothy 6:5 1 Timothy 6:5 ( N LT )( N LT )

55“These“These peoplepeople alwaysalways causecause troubletrouble.. TheirTheir mindsminds areare corrupt,corrupt, andand theythey havehave turnedturned theirtheir backsbacks onon thethe TruthTruth.. ToTo them,them, aa showshow ofof godlinessgodliness isis justjust aa wayway toto becomebecome wealthywealthy.. ””

• Those who preach God for material gain – Paul: “Withdraw yourself”

• To some, God is only another money market account. – Acts 8:18-23 (Simon the Sorcerer)

• There are those who give only to get – No worship

– No honor

• There are those who are upset if they do not see a quick return.

– They will quit God; the church; tithing

– Giving is not a ‘Get rich quick’ scheme

– Kingdom of God: Seed, time and harvest

• There is no principle in Scripture for ‘Giving only to Get.’

– Truth: You will reap what you sow

• We Give to Get, to Give Again.

– Genesis 12:2-3 / Ephesians 4:48

– Biblical perspective:

WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Luke 6:38 Luke 6:38 ( N K J V )( N K J V )

3838“Give,“Give, andand itit willwill bebe givengiven toto youyou:: goodgood measure,measure, pressedpressed down,down, shakenshaken together,together, andand runningrunning overover willwill bebe putput intointo youryour bosombosom.. ForFor withwith thethe samesame measuremeasure thatthat youyou useuse itit willwill bebe measuredmeasured backback toto youyou.. ””

• We are not sowing and reaping for the purpose of heaping on our own lusts.

WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

• God give us the power to get wealth?

TO ESTABLISH HIS COVENANT!!

• God is not after your finances…

GOD IS AFTER YOUR HEART!

• In this series we are going to cover:

– Some obvious things

– Some misconceptions

– Some profound Truths

– Some practical wisdom

• The Treasures of Your Heart

• The Value of Giving

• The Value of Believing

• The Value of Stewardship

• The Value of Work