How Money Tests our Liberality in Giving

1
How Money Tests our Liberality in Giving

• Theme Looking at the various ways money tests us
  as Christians

2
Introduction

• In the previous sermon we noted how important it
  is that we abound in the gracious act of giving
• How the Macedonians serve as a great example in
  liberally giving while in great affliction and
  poverty.
• How giving liberally demands a hard look at our
  priorities and the need to look selflessly beyond
  ourselves.

3
Introduction

• In this lesson we shall see just how much money
  tests us as Christians today.
• Where our true love resides.
• How we behave as stewardship over our earthly
  wealth.
• The level of trust in God.
• Our character.
• Ultimately if weve been genuinely converted to
  the Lord.

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Money Tests Where Our Love Resides

• Your love resides either with God or with earthly
  wealth (mamonas). Matt. 624
• Mammon
• Aramaic root (mn) that in which one trusts.
  Jewish writings expressed it as dishonorable
  earthly possessions.
• Jesus used this concept of mammon as a false god
  in contrast with the true riches from God.
• Our affections are either on one (earth) or the
  other (heaven).
• We cannot have a divided loyalty and still expect
  heaven as our home. Cp. Rev. 315-18

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Money Tests Where Our Love Resides

• Our actions prove where our love/loyalty
  resides. 1 Tim. 66-10
• How much time and energy is spent on work and
  ways to increase our riches on earth?
• How much time and energy is spent praying
  worshipping reading, studying and sharing Gods
  word helping others in need? Cp. Acts 432

6
Money Tests the Level of our Trust in God

• Where your love is, there your trust is as well.
• Many place confidence/trust in money to take care
  of their worldly needs/wants/circumstances and
  not enough trust in God. . Cp. Lk. 1216-21
• It is our trust in riches by virtue of our
  attitude and practice toward material possessions
  that will condemn us in the Last Day. Jas. 55
• It is not wealth that in itself is wrong, but
  practical trust in it, thus making it hard for
  those who are rich to enter heaven. cp. Matt.
  1923

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Money Tests the Level of our Trust in God

• Ones level of trust in God is often inversely
  correlated with their confidence in money. Matt.
  625-33
• The more we place confidence in our money, the
  less we depend on God.
• The more we depend upon God (Matt. 633) the
  easier it is to use our money selflessly to Gods
  glory. 2 Cor. 81ff
• We need to trust that God will always provide for
  our needs even as we strive to give liberally to
  Him and to others (for His glory). Cp. 2 Cor.
  83-5

8
Money Tests Our Stewardship

• We may own things here on earth but ultimately we
  are stewards over the possessions God gives to
  us. Matt. 2514-28
• Its not just how much we give, but how use what
  we keep.
• We buy and buy (for fun, pleasure, convenience,
  or just because we can) and may fail help
  others. Cp. Eph. 428
• Sometimes to make ourselves feel good we may
  practice token giving.
• We may justify in the name of planning and
  stewardship the need to store up treasures on
  earth.

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Money Tests Our Stewardship

• As stewards we may be guilty of neglect in doing
  good to keep the treasures for some future
  necessity. 1 Tim. 617-19
• As individuals we must be rich toward God with
  what He has given us.
• This concept is also true of us as a congregation
  of Gods people do we store up treasure to a
  fault?

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Summary Money Tests our Character and Conversion

• It tests whether were free from the love of
  money or not. Heb. 135
• It tests if we are willing to compromise our
  convictions for a lifestyle of ease and comfort.
• It tests our liberality despite our circumstances
  (good or bad). 2 Cor. 85
• In essence, money tests whether weve been
  genuinely converted to the Lord and the abundant
  riches He gives through His matchless grace! Cp.
  Lk. 1818ff

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Conclusion

• Brethren, the money God entrusts each and every
  one of us tests us daily.
• What are you proving with what youve been
  entrusted?