New Series Opener July 17, 2016

Click Here to Hear 
The Theme Song for This Series

Money money money money, money
Some people got to have it
Some people really need it
Listen to me y'all, do things, do things, do bad things with it
You wanna do things, do things, do things, good things with it
Talk about cash money, money
Talk about cash money- dollar bills, yall

For the love of money
People will steal from their mother
For the love of money
People will rob their own brother
For the love of money
People can't even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they're gonna beat
For that lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar, money

For the love of money
People will lie, Lord, they will cheat
For the love of money
People don't care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money
 
Don’t be scared by money. Be confident in God's Word.

Money can be a helpful tool and a valuable resource, but it makes for a lousy boss. Ask people their opinions about money and you’ll be left with a variety of answers: they love it, hate it, spend it, save it, want it, work for it, beg for it, borrow it, steal it, invest it, and give it. Sure we need money, but many of us are often left weary and frustrated when it comes to our finances. We often feel managed by the very thing we are trying to manage. 

But here’s a question: What if the richest and wisest man who ever lived offered a free financial seminar? No gimmicks. No get-rich-quick schemes. Just practical life principles for managing money.

$ How should you get it?
$ What should you do with it?
$ What about long-term investments?
$ How can you bless others at the same time?

Through the writings of King Solomon, God has provided us with all of these answers and more. In this 6-week study, we will examine principles from the ancient wisdom literature of the Old Testament to provide clear direction for money management today.

1. View Money Properly - Proverbs 23:4-5; 30:5-9
2. Make Agreements Cautiously - Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:7
3. Earn Money Productively - Proverbs 6:6-11
4. Manage Money Diligently - Proverbs 31:13-21
5. Invest Money Wisely - Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
6. Give Money Generously - Proverbs 11:23-29  

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Just hours after closing on his new home, Josh Ferrin made the discovery of a lifetime: a treasure trove of nearly $45,000 stashed in the attic. Ferrin found the first surprise in a heavy metal box containing several rolls of cash. By the time he finished treasure hunting, he had discovered seven more boxes full of the same.

The new homeowner knew his find didn’t belong to him. So, he returned all the money to the children of the house’s original owner. Ferrin noted: “The money wasn’t ours to keep, and I don’t believe you get a chance very often to do something radically honest, to do something ridiculously awesome for someone else. And that is a lesson I hope to teach to my children.”

Not everyone would do what Josh Ferrin did. But when we’re content with what God has provided us, it’s easier to do what’s right. The Book of Proverbs teaches us that when we find our sufficiency in God alone, no amount of money can rob us of the security and satisfaction that flows from contentment in Him.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
 
Proverbs 23:4-5; 30:5-9

 
 23:4-5

4 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it.
 

5 As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

30:5-9

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
 

6 Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
 

7 Two things I ask of You; don’t deny them to me before I die:
 

8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need.
 

9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, “Who is the LORD?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God. 

Pure (30:5)—The image here is one of testing or purifying metal by fire in order to remove the dross and develop a pure substance.

When have you seen money 
sprout wings and fly away?

Proverbs 23:4-5

We spend a lot of our time thinking about money, don’t we? What will I buy? Can I afford this? Will I get that raise? Should I invest now? The questions can be endless, and they feed the ravenous discontent within.
 

Solomon knew the emptiness and frustration of discontentment all too well. When he penned the words of Proverbs 23:4-5, he was reflecting back on his own experience of chasing the temporary pleasures of this world. Solomon made two straightforward declarations in these verses: Don’t exhaust yourself trying to make money, and stop thinking constantly about money. 

That’s good advice, but it can be tough to follow.
 

Because of economic uncertainties, more and more Americans have come to understand our only real hope is the Lord (see Ps. 62:5-7). When we set our hearts and our affections on the eternal riches of Christ, we have a secure foundation that will stand regardless of what happens with our job, paycheck, or retirement account.
 

How do you stop giving your attention to the fleeting riches of this world?

• Recognize God as your source. God is your Provider, and He cares for every detail of your life. Regardless of who signs your paycheck, the Lord is the one who provides for your needs (see Phil. 4:19).

• Remember the temporary nature of wealth. We will hold wealth and possessions loosely when we remember they are only temporary. The shine will dull, the pleasure will fade, and the cycle of discontent will continue (see Prov. 27:24).

• Rest contentedly in the Lord’s provision. Godliness with contentment is great gain (see 1 Tim. 6:6-8). Resting securely in the Lord frees you from the worry and stress of this world’s unquenchable thirst for more.

• Refocus on eternal things. Spend your energies on building God’s kingdom (see Matt. 6:33). When you do, you’ll find yourself thinking less about money and more about eternity.

Proverbs 30:5-6

The Bible has a lot to say about money. Over 1,400 verses deal with issues like poverty, wealth, debt, greed, and borrowing.

As we consider the Bible’s teaching on money, keep in mind what verse 5 proclaims: every word of God is pure. Every word of God found in Scripture has been tested, refined, and proven free from error or imperfection. The Bible provides the flawless standard for all of life and its issues. Therefore, Scripture demands our full attention that we may not neglect or overlook any portion of it (see 2 Tim. 3:16).

Unfortunately, many people err in one of two ways regarding the connection between the Scriptures and finances:

1. Some hold fast to their favorite passages while disregarding the entirety of Scripture. They express a belief in God’s Word, but ignore its teaching on finances. Meanwhile, they squander their resources on temporary pleasures. 
2. Others try to force the Bible to say what they want it to say about finances—or any area of life for that matter. For example, a man once called my research assistant and asked, “Where in the Bible does it say, ‘Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime’?” Even after she informed the man that this proverbial saying was not found in Scripture, he asked, “But where do I find that basic concept in the Bible?”

God has laid out clear principles to guide our stewardship—principles that have less to do with the size of our 401k and more to do with the posture of our hearts. We can’t possibly navigate this life, including our finances, apart from Scripture. We need steady biblical wisdom amid the constant ebb and flow of our changing world and economy. 

"Money never stays with me. It would burn me
if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as
possible, lest it should find its way into my heart."
—JOHN WESLEY

Proverbs 30:7-9

Satan is a liar (see John 8:44; Rev. 12:9) who has fed believers a host of lies related to money. For example:

• When we gain wealth, the devil tries to convince us we don’t need God. Satan hopes we’ll begin to rest in the sufficiency of our hard work or good fortune, elevating money and status to a higher place than God in our lives. This idolatry enslaves us and leads to all sorts of evil (see 1 Tim. 6:9-10).
   
• The enemy also plants lies when we find ourselves lacking. He whispers that God doesn’t care about our needs, or that God is unable to help us in times of trouble.

The truth from God’s Word is that all people in all circumstances can experience great contentment in Christ: “Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).
 

Jesus assured His followers that He would be with them always (see Matt. 28:20). Through financial hardship? Yes. During economic downturn? Of course. In the midst of foreclosure, job loss, divorce, or bankruptcy? Absolutely. We can remain content in Christ because God is our Source and our Sufficiency. At the same time, we must rest in Christ-centered contentment when our financial future appears secure, when our paycheck increases, or when we inherit a large sum of money. Money must not control either our present satisfaction or our future security.

 

 

LIVE IT OUT

How will you express your contentment and security in God this week? Consider the following suggestions:

• Pray daily. As you talk with God each day, ask Him to give you a spirit of contentment about your money and possessions. Ask for a greater sense of trust in God’s ability to meet your present and future needs.

• Seek God’s Word. As you read and engage with the Bible this week, highlight any verses you come across that touch on the subject of money. Begin building a greater awareness of what God wants you to know about finances.

• Reach out. Ask a friend or family member to join you in better understanding what the Bible teaches about money. Invite this person to join you as you engage this study, highlight portions of God’s Word, pray for contentment, and so on.

You don’t have to give away thousands of dollars to do something radically honest. You can make the choice each day to seek the contentment and security God offers rather than place your trust in the temporary protection of worldly wealth. 


Teacher's Notes


“Money talks…but all mine ever says is goodbye.”



What do you like best about money? (you don’t have to answer in a spiritual way)

• can buy lots of things
• gives a sense of security
• know you will be able to pay your bills
• can give a sense of power
• know you won’t go hungry
• know you won’t be without place to live
• able to go places and do/see things

We often see (view) money as a source of security. And in today’s economy, no one is guaranteed a “sure” thing. The economy can falter. A secure job this year may not be so next year. All these reasons can motivate us to earn and build as large of a financial nest egg as possible. Nothing we try to do, though, offers us complete security.


The Bible and today’s lesson directs us to have the right perspective on our money and to look to God for the security we need. Today we study the fact that contentment and security rest only in God, not in money
Is our sense of contentment and security measured by the vastness of our financial assets or by our trust in God who is ever faithful?



I. How Should I View Money? Proverbs 23:4-5 

4 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it. 5 As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.


So, what is the warning in these verses?

• don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich
• don’t let money be your only motivation
• don’t give so much attention to gaining riches
• material things should not be our goal
• don’t let it be your “god”

Solomon said it’s like chasing the temporary pleasures of this world. He makes two important points:

1. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to make money. (Is he saying not to work?)

Work doesn’t always lead to wealth (23:4). Our society—parents, school system, popular thought—leads us to believe that if we work really hard, the payoff will be an abundance of wealth. So we wear ourselves out, toil day in and day out, become weary in an effort to get rich.

Granted the person who works hard is in a better position to acquire wealth. The Proverbs are replete with statements, examples, and injunctions abhorring laziness. But, beware there are many people who became wealthy without the work that many people are putting in day after day.

• I read of a wealthy man giving a talk about how he became wealthy. He attributed his wealth to hard work and old-fashioned “know how.” He said, “One day I found a nickel. I bought an apple and sold it for a dime. The next day I bought two apples and sold them, earning 20 cents. The next day my grandmother died and left me her fortune.”

• Don’t be confused; many a person has become wealthy because they owned property where the new interstate was coming through or the new mall was to be built. Others have gotten wealthy by being in the right place at the right time. Or have achieved their fortune through inheritance, lottery winnings, or law suit. Work doesn’t always lead to wealth, so inherent in that is a reminder not to overwork.

2. Stop thinking constantly about money.

That’s good advice, but it can be tough to follow. Because of economic uncertainties, more and more Americans have come to understand our only real hope is the Lord (see Ps. 62:5-7). When we set our hearts and our affections on the eternal riches of Christ, we have a secure foundation that will stand regardless of what happens with our job, paycheck, or retirement account.
What is the difference between seeking financial responsibility and wearing one’s self out to get rich?


Seek Financial Responsibility

• there is balance
• it is not a consuming passion
• wise decisions are made
• sufficiency is enough
• you don’t have the attitude of always wanting just a little bit more

Wearing Yourself Out to Get Rich

• the word “workaholic” comes to mind
• you set aside important priorities in your life
• family often is neglected
• you have no time to enjoy God’s blessings

When have you seen money “sprout wings and fly away”?

• when the stock market goes down, all your investments are lost
• when some sort of storm (tornado, hurricane, blizzard, flood) comes along and wipes out everything you own
• when a health crisis comes to your family … all your finances are drained paying medical bills
• when you find yourself liable for some accident and are sued for everything you have
• when fuel prices soar and you can’t afford to commute to jobs or heat your home or pay for expensive groceries

Don’t depend on your own ability, knowledge, or skill when making decisions concerning the direction and focus of your life.

• Money doesn’t solve the most important problems in life (slide)
• Your eternal destiny more important than money (slide)
• Money cannot protect you from tragic life events like accidents, illness, or natural disaster (slide)
• Money is here today and gone tomorrow – it’s temporary by nature (slide)

Point: Riches are Fleeting

Wealth is not lasting. It has a transitory nature. It can take flight like a bird. It is here today and gone tomorrow. The Bible warns of money’s disappearing nature.

• Consider King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. He had power and wealth. But when a strange and mysterious insanity came over him, he lost it all – why – pride in himself!

• Consider the Rich Fool: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’” (Luke 12:20). He thought he could lay back, take it easy, and his money would take care of him. His money and possession would not accompany him where he was going.

• Consider the words of Paul: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out” (1Timothy 6:7). We shall depart this world as we came in. We came into the world empty-handed and we leave it empty-handed. The old proverb is true: There are no pockets in a shroud. We always know the answer to the question: “How much did he or she leave behind?” Everything. “You can’t take it with you” is not just a cute statement but a hardened fact.

How do you stop giving your attention to the fleeting riches of this world?

• Recognize God as your source. God is your Provider, and He cares for every detail of your life. Regardless of who signs your paycheck, the Lord is the one who provides for your needs (see Phil. 4:19).

• Remember the temporary nature of wealth. We will hold wealth and possessions loosely when we remember they are only temporary. The shine will dull, the pleasure will fade, and the cycle of discontent will continue (see Prov. 27:24).

• Rest contentedly in the Lord’s provision. Godliness with contentment is great gain (see 1 Tim. 6:6-8). Resting securely in the Lord frees you from the worry and stress of this world’s unquenchable thirst for more.

• Refocus on eternal things. Spend your energies on building God’s kingdom (see Matt. 6:33). When you do, you’ll find yourself thinking less about money and more about eternity.

II. How Should I View Money? Proverbs 30:5-6

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.


Why is the Bible our best source of financial wisdom?

• Keep in mind what verse 5 proclaims: every word of God is pure. Every word of God found in Scripture has been tested, refined, and proven free from error or imperfection. The Bible provides the flawless standard for all of life and its issues. Therefore,

• Scripture demands our full attention – don’t neglect or overlook any portion of it (see 2 Tim. 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”)

• Over 1,400 verses deal with issues like poverty, wealth, debt, greed, and borrowing.

What does it mean to you that God is a shield for you?

• God protects those who trust in Him.

What additional warning is found in these verses?

• don’t add to His words
• don’t change what God actually says
• don’t twist what God says to say what you want it to say rather than what He actually says

Those who attempt to manipulate God’s word are subject to His judgment

How have you seen Scripture twisted to justify money?

• so called “health and wealth” gospel
• the thinking that if you are wealthy and well to do, it shows God’s blessing is on you and you must be a righteous person

God has laid out clear principles to guide our stewardship—principles that have less to do with the size of our 401k and more to do with the posture of our hearts. We can’t possibly navigate this life, including our finances, apart from Scripture. We need steady biblical wisdom amid the constant ebb and flow of our changing world and economy.

Point: Look to God’s Word


III. How Should I View Money? Proverbs 30:7-9  7 Two things I ask of You; don’t deny them to me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. 9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, “Who is the LORD?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

What is the two-fold petition in these verses?

• keep me away from lying and liars
• help me to have just enough finances … not too much, not to little

Which do you think presents the greater danger, having too much or having too little? Why?


Having too much

• depend on self, not God
• the more you have, the more you work to maintain it
• Jesus warned that it was hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, to be ruled by God

Having too little

• our scripture points to the temptation to steal
• can result in despair, bitterness towards God
• give up on God

When do we cross the line from having enough to having too much?

• when it becomes our main focus
• when we stop trusting God
• when we stop being thankful to God and start patting ourselves on the back for “look what I’ve accomplished”

How would you describe a lifestyle of godly contentment in today’s culture?

• trusting God
• living a life of thankfulness, gratefulness, praise to God
• involved in ministries
• where the world is in constant pursuit of riches, pleasures, entertainment … the believe is involved in serving the Lord, ministering to others

How can the Christian learn to be content with simple living?

• Certainly not by accepting the standards set by this world. Paul suggests that an eternal perspective and an attitude of detachment toward things are prerequisites. As an eternal perspective develops, dependence on things material will decline.

God does not condemn anyone for having riches. Riches come to people from many sources, but He gives grave warnings to those who seek after them more than they seek after God and trust in them more than in God. His greatest desire is for us to set our hearts on things above and not on things on this earth.

We are to live each day in the confidence that God will provide what is sufficient for the day.



Point: Be Content with what God Provides

• The ability to live a godly life comes from the Lord, not our own ability.
• As believers, we are to desire to be identified as honest and truthful people.
• We are to exalt the name of the Lord, not dishonor it.

Security & Contentment

Rare and unusual would be the person who does not want both.

The issue is where to find them.
What makes us feel safe?
What gives us a sense of contentment?

Contentment and security rest in God, not in money.


Look to the true source of security and contentment – a relationship of trust in the Lord God.

Ps. 46:1 says, He “is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”



Hope to see you on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan