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A Kingdom Perspective of Money and Possessions

October 03, 2004

God owns everything

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Haggai 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Wealth comes from God

Deuteronomy 8:18 “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…”

We are only stewards

1Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Stewards must be accountable

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The Lord does not give everyone the same

Matthew 25:14-15 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. 15 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.

We have received what we have

1Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

The lord gives and the Lord can take away

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Buy as though you do not possess

1Corinthians 7:30-31”…they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Anxiety over money is materialistic

Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on (NASB).

Be content in changing circumstances

Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. 12 I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing.(NET)

The enemy of contentment is COVETOUSNESS

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation [manner of living] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The false teachers are covetous

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they (“false teachers,” 2:1) with feigned words make merchandise of you (Christians): whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

They teach gain is godliness

1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Church Leaders can be greedy and coveteous

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Christians in the last days

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Beware of covetousness

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not inTHE abundance of THE things which he possesseth.

Live in moderation

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

A warning for all of us

1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment (clothing, housing or shelter) let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich (they that have beyond food and raiment) fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of moneyis the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life (a quality life in the age to come of honor, glory, and incorruption Mk.10:30; Rom.2:7), whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

The danger of temporal blessings

Deuteronomy 8:12 "lest -- when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 "and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 "when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

DON’T HOARD UP!

Luke 12:13-21 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestowMY fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down MY barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow allMY fruits and MY goods. 19 And I’ll say to MYSELF, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “BUT GOD said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself (in this life) but is not rich toward God.”

Don’t worry about your future temporal needs

Luke 12:22-30 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Don’t seek after temporal needs

Luke 12:29-30 And SEEK NOT ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world SEEK AFTER: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Seek ye the kingdom

Luke 12:31-32 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Give to others that need in view of treasure in heaven

Luke 12:33-34 Sell that ye have (material possessions), and give alms (“give to those in need” NLT); provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Send your wealth ahead of you

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them [command or order them] that are rich in this world (they that have beyond food & raiment), that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute [generous in giving], willing to communicate [or share]; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (a quality life in the age to come of honor, glory, and incorruption Mk.10:30; Rom.2:7).