Money Matters
Attitudes:
- Luke 16:13
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- James 3:13-16
It all starts with attitude. The bible describes that it is our flesh that 'wants' to get rich (1 Timothy) and that we need to realise that the money on this earth is just that - of this earth. We came into this world with nothing and we will depart from it with nothing from this world.
TEST: How much time during the day/week do you spend thinking about money? (How much or little you have, what to do with it, how to get it)
Contentedness
- James 5:1-3
- Psalm 49:16-20
- Philippians 4:11-13
Philippians reminds us that we shouldn't do this battle or journey alone. In fact, we should rely on God's strength as we continuously battle with it. If we find satisfaction in our wealth on earth, then it will fail us - it will simply rot away (James 5).
Stewardship
- Ecclesiastes 5:12-14
- Psalm 24:1
- 1 Chronicles 29:12
- Matthew 25:21
- Proverbs 21:20
The key to stewardship is understanding that it isn't your money in the first place. We only achieve this when we've understood the correct attitudes as well as contentedness towards money. This is all God's rightful possession, it isn't ours!.
Giving/Generosity
- Matthew 6:1-4
- 1 Timothy 5:17-18
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-12
When we've understood the above areas, giving/tithing won't be about how much you give (e.g. 10%). We will just give when God calls us to. We will use our money in the way that God intended us to (for his glory and not our own). The danger with storing up money is that the more we have of it, the more we think about what our money can do for us, not what God wants me to do with it.