Christians and

1
Christians and
?
Money
Finance

• The Bible and money what do you think?

• You should be giving more of it away ?
• Get rid of it or else ?
• ? ?
• SIN ?

2
Money has great potential for good or evil
What you do with money or desire to do with
it can make or break your happiness forever.
What you feel about money can destroy
you Those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation, into a snare, into many senseless
and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin
and destruction (1 Tim. 69) Or what you do with
your money can secure the foundation of eternal
life They the rich are to be liberal and
generous, thus laying up for themselves a good
foundation for the future, so that they may take
hold of the life which is life indeed. (1 Tim.
618-19)
John Piper, Desiring God
3
Why study finance?

• To recognize and avoid the dangers associated
  with money.
• To see the good that can be done with money.
• To learn how to be wise and faithful stewards of
  what God has given us.

4
1 Timothy 66-10 17-19
Now there is great gain in godliness with
contentment, for we brought nothing into the
world, and we cannot take anything out of the
world. But if we have food and clothing, with
these we will be content. But those who desire to
be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into
many senseless and harmful desires that plunge
people into ruin and destruction. For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is
through this craving that some have wandered away
from the faith and pierced themselves with many
pangs. As for the rich in this present age,
charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their
hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to
be generous and ready to share, thus storing up
treasure for themselves as a good foundation for
the future, so that they may take hold of that
which is truly life.
5
Why Shouldn't We Pursue Riches?

• We can be tricked into giving up deep, lasting
  satisfaction in God in order to get the much more
  shallow and temporary satisfaction with money.
• What is the source of profit? Money? No it is
  godliness with contentment.
• 1 Tim. 66 - Now there is great gain in godliness
  with contentment. It is very profitable to not
  pursue wealth.

6
Why Shouldn't We Pursue Riches?

1. We can't keep our money, but we will desperately
   try to.

Do not toil to acquire wealth be discerning
enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it
is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying
like an eagle toward heaven. Prov. 234-5
7
Why Shouldn't We Pursue Riches?

• Our joy can (and should) be found in the simple
  necessities of life.
• But why?
• God himself gives us peace and security.
• Next to God Himself, our greatest pleasures come
  from God's free gifts in creation and
  relationships.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be
content with what you have, for He has said, I
will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can
confidently say The Lord is my helper I will
not fear what can man do to me? Heb. 115-6
8
Joy in Contentment

• Our joy can (and should) be found in the simple
  necessities of life.
• God himself gives us peace and security.
• Next to God Himself, our greatest pleasures come
  from God's free gifts in creation and
  relationships.

1. We are freed to give more to the kingdom of God.

The point is this whoever sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully. 2 Cor. 96
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the
Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Prov.
197
9
Why Shouldn't We Pursue Riches?

1. Because the pursuit of wealth will end with the
   destruction of your life.

But those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. For the love of money is a root of
all kinds of evils. It is through this craving
that some have wandered away from the faith and
pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Tim. 69-10
10
Why Shouldn't We Pursue Riches?

• A false sense of security
• Discontentment, anxiety and fear
• Reduced blessings
• A poor return on your investment

Do not toil to acquire wealth be discerning
enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it
is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying
like an eagle toward heaven. Prov. 234-5
He who loves money will not be satisfied with
money, nor he who loves wealth with his income
this also is vanity. When goods increase, they
increase who eat them, and what advantage has
their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet
is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little
or much, but the full stomach of the rich will
not let him sleep. Ecc. 510-12
The point is this whoever sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully. 2 Cor. 96
11
What Blessings Are Associated with Money?
Are there any??
Yes!

1. Money can be invested for eternal rewards in
   heaven.

As for the rich in this present age they are to
do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous
and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for
themselves as a good foundation for the future,
so that they may take hold of that which is truly
life. 1. Tim 617-19
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's
good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your
possessions, and give to the needy. Provide
yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old,
with a treasure in the heavens that does not
fail, where no thief approaches and no moth
destroys. For where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also. Luke 1232-34
12
What Blessings Are Associated with Money?

1. Money can be used to help others in need.
2. Money can be used to spread the kingdom of God.

No-one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd
only had good intentions. He had money as well.
U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
13
Money has great potential for good or evil
What you do with money or desire to do with
it can make or break your happiness forever.
What you feel about money can destroy you or
what you do with your money can secure the
foundation of eternal life.
John Piper, Desiring God