MaterialismÉ One Of SatanŐs Most Effective Weapons

1Tim 6:6-10; 17-19

 

MaterialismÉ loving & trusting in money & possessions. (1Tim 6:9-10)

á      People who trust in their money fall into temptation & SatanŐs trap. (v.9)

o     Even ability to produce wealth comes from God.  (Deut 8:18)

á      Money is often the first spiritual battlegroundÉ who is your God? (Mk 10:17-27)

o     You canŐt serve two mastersÉ you cannot serve both God & money. (Mt 6:24)

o     The love of money is the root of all kinds of evilÉ (1Tim 6:9-10)

o     If anyone loves the world (& its money), love of God is not in him. (1Jn 2:15)

o     Man is slave to what ever masters him. (2Pet 2:19)

á      Debt is bondage because you become slave to the lender. (Pr 22:7)

o     In debt, you are often unable to give to those God has placed on your heart.

o     Often unable to be the good neighbor God has called us to be. (Lk 10:37)

á      Store up treasures in heavenÉ not on earth. (Mt 6:19-21)

á      DonŐt trust in moneyÉ trust in God & be rich in good works. (1Tim 6:17-19)

o     Trusting in money dishonors GodÉ SatanŐs goal in warfare.

á      A good manŐs earnings advance the cause of righteousness. (Pr 10:16)

á      God tests our heart attitude toward money thru His command to tithe (first, best, & full).

 

Biblical guidance on tithing... will you rob God? (Mal 3:8-10)

á      Tithes are paid not given.  First tenth belongs to GodÉ it is holy to Him. (Lev 27:30)

á      Bring the whole titheÉ to do less is to rob God.  (Mal 3:9)

á      Tithe is a principle that precedes the law... an acknowledgment of ownership/lordship.

á      Tithe is a New Testament principle too.  (Mt 23:23)

á      Tithe is not the main thing, nor a badge of deep maturityÉ but an initial test of obedience.

á      Disobedience & rebellion in this area Ňgives groundÓ to Satan & can lead to defeat.

If you donŐt tithe to GodÉ it will be collected by Satan.

 

Barna studies confirm that only a small percent of Christians tithe.

á      Only 5% of adults who attend church tithe; average giving is 2.2% of gross income.

We should tithe according to our income, lest God make our income according to our tithe.

 

What hinders tithing in your life?

á      Top two reasons for not tithing (Barna survey): personal debt, soft economy.

1. Many are enticed and led into debt & bondage by the deceiver.

á      World teaches us to gratify self... buy more stuff & youÔll be happy.

á      Consequently, Christians are often deeply in debt.

á      You need to establish a goal of getting out of debtÉ without goal, youŐll never be debt free

Five practical steps to get out of debt:

         1. Develop a budget. (Prioritize and limit spending)

         2. Establish the tithe... minimum testimony of GodŐs ownership.

         3. Think/pray before buying. (Avoid impulse buying)

         4. Stop credit buying.

         5. Practice saving

á      Does it seem impossible for you?  Seek godly financial counselor.

2. Others say theyŐll tithe when the economy recovers.

á      Does the Bible teach that tithing is conditional on good economy or rosy future?

á      Much of the early church lived in poverty & the future was bleak. (2Cor 8:2-4)

á      DidnŐt tithe/give because they had abundance, or good jobÉ but in obedience.

á      If you are waiting for good economy, secure futureÉ youŐll never tithe!

 

The Principle of Stewardship... we are stewards of His money (Lk 19:13-26)

á      Jesus affirmed tithing, but emphasized faithful stewardship, & proportional giving.

á      The world & everything in it belongs to the Lord. (Ps 24:1)

á      What do you have that you did not receive? (1Cor 4:7)

á      Those given a trust must prove faithful. (1Cor 4:1-2)

o     We are constantly tempted to poor stewardshipÉ wasteful, selfish consumption.

á      We must give an account of our stewardship of 100% of His money/assets. (Rm 14:12)

á      Stewardship involves not only what you give, but also what you do with whatŐs left.

 

The Principle of Proportional Giving (2Cor 8:12; 1Cor 16:2)

á      When we fully surrender our will to GodÉ selfish bonds are broken.

á      Grace of giving begins with personal consecrationÉ full surrender. (2Cor 8:5)

o     God does not want your gift until He has you. (2Cor 8:5)

á      Giving is a joyful privilege of GodŐs poorÉ their gift is acceptable to God. (2Cor 8:2)

á      Giving (offerings/alms) is a test of your love.  (2Cor 8:8)

á      Freely you have received, freely give.  (Mt 10:8)

á      Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (James 4:17)

á      We worship God with our giving.  (Ps 96:8)

 

Window into your heart.  (Mt 6:21)

á      A true indicator of your values/priorities is how you spend your money. (Jer 17:9)

á      Your checkbook & credit card statements are a window into your heart. (Mt 6:21)

When God gets hold of your walletÉ He finally gets hold of your heart.

á      Do I willingly tithe & give offerings as God has proportionally blessed me?

á      By grace, purpose to be a faithful stewardÉ to tithe & freely give as He has given.

á      God blesses those who tithe, & faithfully give... test Him. (Mal 3:10)

o     Not prosperity messageÉ God blesses so you can abound in good works (Ja 4:3; 2Cor 9:6-11).  So others will see & praise your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:16)

If you cannot give, God understandsÉbut if you can give & donŐt, God knows.