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How Money Tests our Liberality in Giving

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Mammon: Aramaic root (mn): that in which one trusts. ... Jesus used this concept of mammon as a false god in contrast with the true riches from God. ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: 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.

4
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

5
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

7
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.

9
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?

10
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

11
Conclusion
  • Brethren, the money God entrusts each and every
    one of us tests us daily.
  • What are you proving with what youve been
    entrusted?
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