Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Money reveals my heart



This past Sunday we had a blast as we celebrated our 2 year anniversary and kicked of part 1 of our NEW series "Financial Path of a Champion." 

You can listen to this message on on our website at http://www.wyandottefamily.com/listen.html or you can listen on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wyandotte-family-church/id478735158?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

The title of my message was "Mammon." Simply put Mammon is the spirit behind the money. Jesus said, "We can not serve both God and mammon." The spirit of mammon says, "you don't need God, trust in money." The spirit of mammon says that money is the answer to security, peace & happiness. However, mammon promises many things it can never provide.

Here are some tough questions to wrestle with as we strive to apply the message to our lives. 


#1--Who do we believe is our source? (our employer, the government or God?)


We want to say God but if we were honest we often live our lives likes its the others. Here is a powerful verse that wasn't shared on Sunday.

Deuteronomy 8:18--Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

God is the one who provides for us and takes care of us. Take a few moments and read Matthew 6. You will get the big picture of what God is saying and how he takes care of his children. 

#2--How have we viewed giving in the past? 

Do we view it as a get rich-quick scheme? Do we view it as an obligation? Do we feel guilted into it? 

Giving is not a get-rich-scheme; it is a lay-down your life challenge--Robert Morriss. 

If I told you that being generous and giving wouldn't make you rich according to the American standard, would you still be generous? 

Those who are not controlled by the spirit of mammon can be generous and begin to live the blessed life!!

#3--What aspects of money make you afraid?

Does thinking about retirement make you anxious? Do you avoid balancing your checkbook? What behaviors do you have that show you  are afraid of money? 

The more we are controlled by the spirit of mammon the less peace & security we actually have.

#4--How would you react to the following situations?

a)it's been a touch month financially, and to top it off, your car needs an unbudgeted repair.

b)you've worked hard for the last 6 months expecting a bonus from your employer. A downturn in the economy makes it impossible for your employer to give you the bonus. 

c)you have been generous with your church and you have also saved carefully for your retirement by buying stock in your company. You learn from the newspaper that mismanagement of the retirement fund has resulted in it's losing more than half its value

When these kind of setbacks occur how can we look to God rather than men for provision? 

May we be a people who put our trust in the only one that can truly provide for our needs. May we trust God with our lives and rest knowing He takes care of His children.

PS. This entire series is adapted from the book "The Blessed LIfe" by Robert Morriss. 

No comments:

Post a Comment