1st Jan-9th Feb ‘Priority & Process on Family
- 40 days1 meal fast (lunch only 12-2pm)
10th Feb -21st Mar ‘Priority & Process on Ministry
- 40 days 2 meals fast (Breakfast and lunch ends 6pm begins 9pm)
22nd Mar-30 Apr ‘Priority & Process on Submission andForgiveness’
- 40 days fast 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner liquidallowed throughout the day)
1st May-9th Jun ’Priority & Process on My Neighbour
- 40 days 1 meal fast (lunch only 12 -2pm)
10th Jun – 19th Jul ‘Priority & Process on Sharing Resources with the Needy’
- 40days 2 meals fast (breakfast and lunch ends 6pm begins 9pm)
20th Jul-28th August ‘Priority & Process on Clothing the Naked’
- 40 days 3 meals fast (breakfast, lunch and dinner liquid allowed throughout the day)
29th Aug-7th October ‘Priority & Process on ‘Feeding the Hungry’
- 40 days 1 meal fast (lunch only 12 – 2pm)
8th Oct-16th November‘Priority & Process on ‘Giving Shelter to the Homeless’
- 40 days 2 meal fast (breakfast and lunch ends 6pm begins 9pm)
17thNov-26th December‘Priority & Process on Criticizing & Judging’
- 40 days 3 meal fast (breakfast, lunch and dinner, liquid allowed through out the day)
17 February 2009
Money & Possession
I. Introduction
There are two economic systems that operate in the world. God’s economy and economies that people invent. Scripture reveals God’s economy to us in great detail. The way most people think and handle money is in sharp contrast to God’s financial principles. The most significant difference between these two economic systems is that in God’s economy, the Lord plays the central role. It is difficult for some people to think of God as being involved with our money and possessions. Because God cares for us, He gave us guide lines for handling money. The Bible contains more tan 2350 verses dealing with money and possessions. Jesus taught more about money than almost any other subject. The Lord said so much about money and possessions for ‘spiritual reasons’ and very ‘practical reasons.’
Spiritual Reasons
A. How we handle money has a big impact on the intimacy of our relationship with Christ.
Luke 16:11 (NASB) If you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? A more intimate relationship with Christ is the “true riches” in life.
Jesus equates how we handle our money with the quality of our spiritual life. This is illustrated in the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25:21 “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.”
As we handle money God’s way, we have an opportunity to enter into the joy of a more intimate relationship with our Lord.
B. Money is a primary competitor with Christ for the lordship of our lives.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” It is impossible for us to serve money – even in a small way – and still serve the Lord. The Lord talked so much about money because He knew that much of our lives would centre around its use.
Q1. Is Jesus also the Lord of your money and possessions? Discuss
Q2. Read Isaiah 55:8-9. Based on this passage, do you think God’s financial principles will differ from how most people handle money?
Q3. Read Luke 16:11. What does this verse communicate to you about the importance of managing possessions faithfully?
Practical Reasons
C. Much of live Revolves around the use of money.
The Lord knew we needed wisdom in using money. He revealed in Scripture His principles for
i. working
ii. earning
iii. spending
iv. saving
v. investing
vi. giving
vii. getting out of debt
viii. teaching children how to handle money
In handling money God’s way most people usually have been taught only about “giving.” Although giving is very important, the principles of earning and spending have rarely been taught. THEREFORE, God’s people have managed their money from the world’s perspective rather than God’s. Simply put God has a part and we have a part in our handling of money.
Q4. How does handling money impact our fellowship with the Lord?
Q5. Comment on any personal challenges you felt after learning the three reasons the Bible says so much about money?
II. God’s Responsibilities and Our Responsibilities with Money
1. God’s Responsibilities
A. God is the owner of everything
Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
i. God owns all the silver and gold.
Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.”
ii. God owns all the land.
Leviticus 25:23 “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine.”
iii. God owns all the animals.
Psalm 50:10-12 ‘Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”
The Lord created all things, (Genesis 1:1) and He never transferred ownership of His creation to people.
Colossians 1:17 “In Him all things hold together.”
Have we made the choice of allowing Jesus Christ to become LORD of our money and possessions?
Luke 14:33 “None of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” Consistently recognizing God’s ownership can be difficult. Genuinely acknowledging God’s ownership requires nothing less than a new way of THINKING.
Here are some practical suggestions to help you recognize God’s ownership:
For the next 30 days meditate on 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 when you first awake and just before going to sleep.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from you. You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Ask the Lord to make you aware of His ownership and make you willing to give up ownership.
Pray for this during the next 30 days. Establish the habit of acknowledging the Lord’s ownership everytime you purchase an item. Recognizing the Lord’s ownership is important in learning contentment. If you believe that you own a particular possession, then the circumstance surrounding that possession will affect your attitude. If it is a favourable situation, you will be happy. If it is a difficult circumstance, you will be discontent. If we are going to be genuine followers of Christ we must transfer ownership of our possessions to the Lord. Be prepared the Lord will test us by asking us to be willing to give up the very possessions that are most important to us.
Psalm 135:6 “The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth.”
Daniel 4:34-35 “I praised the Most High… He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?” Here is an example in Scripture.
Genesis 22:2 “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac… and offer him there as a burnt offering.” When Abraham obeyed, demonstrating his willingness to give up his most valuable possession, God responded
Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy…. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son…”
- No longer do we ask, “Lord what do you want me to do with MY money?”
- It becomes, “Lord what do you want me to do with YOUR money?”
- The Lord’s ownership also influences how we care for possessions.
B. God is in control.
Besides being Creator and Owner, God is also in control of every event that occurs upon the earth.
Isaiah 45:6-7 “I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well being and creating calamity, I am the Lord who does all these.”
Romans 8:28 “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
The Lord allows difficult circumstances for three reasons:
i. He accomplishes His intentions This is illustrated in the life of Joseph, who, as a teenager was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph understood this and responded to his brothers: Genesis 45:5,8; 50:20 Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you …… It was not you who sent me here, but God …. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
ii. He develops our character Godly character, something that is precious in the sight of the Lord, often is developed in trying times.
Romans 5:3-4 “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character.”
iii. He disciplines His children
Hebrews 12:6, 10-11 “Those who the Lord loves He disciplines….. He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful , but sorrowful, yet those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
When we are disobedient you can expect the Lord to discipline us, often through difficult circumstances, to encourage us to abandon our sin and share His holiness. You can be at peace knowing that your loving heavenly Father is in control of every situation that you will ever face, and He intends to use every one for a good purpose.
Q6. Reading the notes above, what information especially interested you?
There are two economic systems that operate in the world. God’s economy and economies that people invent. Scripture reveals God’s economy to us in great detail. The way most people think and handle money is in sharp contrast to God’s financial principles. The most significant difference between these two economic systems is that in God’s economy, the Lord plays the central role. It is difficult for some people to think of God as being involved with our money and possessions. Because God cares for us, He gave us guide lines for handling money. The Bible contains more tan 2350 verses dealing with money and possessions. Jesus taught more about money than almost any other subject. The Lord said so much about money and possessions for ‘spiritual reasons’ and very ‘practical reasons.’
Spiritual Reasons
A. How we handle money has a big impact on the intimacy of our relationship with Christ.
Luke 16:11 (NASB) If you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? A more intimate relationship with Christ is the “true riches” in life.
Jesus equates how we handle our money with the quality of our spiritual life. This is illustrated in the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25:21 “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.”
As we handle money God’s way, we have an opportunity to enter into the joy of a more intimate relationship with our Lord.
B. Money is a primary competitor with Christ for the lordship of our lives.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” It is impossible for us to serve money – even in a small way – and still serve the Lord. The Lord talked so much about money because He knew that much of our lives would centre around its use.
Q1. Is Jesus also the Lord of your money and possessions? Discuss
Q2. Read Isaiah 55:8-9. Based on this passage, do you think God’s financial principles will differ from how most people handle money?
Q3. Read Luke 16:11. What does this verse communicate to you about the importance of managing possessions faithfully?
Practical Reasons
C. Much of live Revolves around the use of money.
The Lord knew we needed wisdom in using money. He revealed in Scripture His principles for
i. working
ii. earning
iii. spending
iv. saving
v. investing
vi. giving
vii. getting out of debt
viii. teaching children how to handle money
In handling money God’s way most people usually have been taught only about “giving.” Although giving is very important, the principles of earning and spending have rarely been taught. THEREFORE, God’s people have managed their money from the world’s perspective rather than God’s. Simply put God has a part and we have a part in our handling of money.
Q4. How does handling money impact our fellowship with the Lord?
Q5. Comment on any personal challenges you felt after learning the three reasons the Bible says so much about money?
II. God’s Responsibilities and Our Responsibilities with Money
1. God’s Responsibilities
A. God is the owner of everything
Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
i. God owns all the silver and gold.
Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.”
ii. God owns all the land.
Leviticus 25:23 “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine.”
iii. God owns all the animals.
Psalm 50:10-12 ‘Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.”
The Lord created all things, (Genesis 1:1) and He never transferred ownership of His creation to people.
Colossians 1:17 “In Him all things hold together.”
Have we made the choice of allowing Jesus Christ to become LORD of our money and possessions?
Luke 14:33 “None of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” Consistently recognizing God’s ownership can be difficult. Genuinely acknowledging God’s ownership requires nothing less than a new way of THINKING.
Here are some practical suggestions to help you recognize God’s ownership:
For the next 30 days meditate on 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 when you first awake and just before going to sleep.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from you. You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Ask the Lord to make you aware of His ownership and make you willing to give up ownership.
Pray for this during the next 30 days. Establish the habit of acknowledging the Lord’s ownership everytime you purchase an item. Recognizing the Lord’s ownership is important in learning contentment. If you believe that you own a particular possession, then the circumstance surrounding that possession will affect your attitude. If it is a favourable situation, you will be happy. If it is a difficult circumstance, you will be discontent. If we are going to be genuine followers of Christ we must transfer ownership of our possessions to the Lord. Be prepared the Lord will test us by asking us to be willing to give up the very possessions that are most important to us.
Psalm 135:6 “The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth.”
Daniel 4:34-35 “I praised the Most High… He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?” Here is an example in Scripture.
Genesis 22:2 “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac… and offer him there as a burnt offering.” When Abraham obeyed, demonstrating his willingness to give up his most valuable possession, God responded
Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy…. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son…”
WHEN ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S OWNERSHIP, EVERY SPENDING DECISION BECOMES A SPIRITUAL DECISION.
- No longer do we ask, “Lord what do you want me to do with MY money?”
- It becomes, “Lord what do you want me to do with YOUR money?”
- The Lord’s ownership also influences how we care for possessions.
B. God is in control.
Besides being Creator and Owner, God is also in control of every event that occurs upon the earth.
Isaiah 45:6-7 “I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well being and creating calamity, I am the Lord who does all these.”
Romans 8:28 “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
The Lord allows difficult circumstances for three reasons:
i. He accomplishes His intentions This is illustrated in the life of Joseph, who, as a teenager was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph understood this and responded to his brothers: Genesis 45:5,8; 50:20 Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you …… It was not you who sent me here, but God …. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
ii. He develops our character Godly character, something that is precious in the sight of the Lord, often is developed in trying times.
Romans 5:3-4 “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character.”
iii. He disciplines His children
Hebrews 12:6, 10-11 “Those who the Lord loves He disciplines….. He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful , but sorrowful, yet those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
When we are disobedient you can expect the Lord to discipline us, often through difficult circumstances, to encourage us to abandon our sin and share His holiness. You can be at peace knowing that your loving heavenly Father is in control of every situation that you will ever face, and He intends to use every one for a good purpose.
Q6. Reading the notes above, what information especially interested you?
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