For the love of money is root of all evil: some people eager for money, have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I. Why Some People have More Problems than Money

A. Are sowing the causes of Poverty rather than Wealth (See Parts 1 & 2) and failing to weed out injurious causes

B. No self-control/discipline immediate gratification; lust of eyes/flesh-pride of life; Julius Caesar mentality

C. Standard rises with income; Standard doesn’t matter/won’t be judged by God; Small change doesn’t add up to $1 million

D. As members of the Disposable Generation,  Never learned to RESTRAIN, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Live at ease Isa 32 Js 5:1-5

E. Falsely believe money satisfies; Use money/purchases to make self feel good, or boost status image Pr 27:20

F. Trying to obtain inner enduring value (security, significance) with outer vanity (temporal mist); Your Treasure is another’s Trash

G. Deceived Mk 4:18 deceitfulness of riches and the lusts for other things enter in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful

H. Discontent, Envy  Ac 20:33  Covetous is idolatry Col 3:5 Mortify...covetousness, which is idolatry

I. The Means of money (job) can be just as much an idol as the product (power, pleasure, possessions) or money itself

J. Enslaved and robbed by Debt = Bondage (a sign of God’s Judgment for lack of self control)  De 28:12  The LORD shall open unto you his good treasure...and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend unto many nations, and you shall not borrow. Pr 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

K. Wrong Values Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he was looking to the reward.

L. No stewardship mentality rooted in the fear of God; Don’t think God owns it (see Part 1) 1Ch 29:11

M. Giving less than 10%; Only 10% belongs to God (See Part 4) Malachi 3

N. Hoarding rather than Generous;  Stewardship is not hoarding Pr 11:24

O. No trust God will provide (unrighteous walk); Dollar and a dream eliminates God from the scheme

P. Devourer not rebuked Malachi 3:11  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither...

Q. Not seeking Kingdom and righteousness first Matt 6:33...and all these things (that the Gentiles seek) will be added to you

R. Money controls decisons; Worshipping the almighty buck Mt 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

S. Love things and use people; {Gothard: Love Money if...}

II. Why God Gives us Money: Not to use according to our will but to use according to the will of God

Ezr 7:18  And whatever seems good to you to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

A. As a channel for His provision  Matt 6:11 daily bread; 2Thess 3:10 no work, no eat; I Tim 5:8 provide for own...infidel

B. Pay taxes Mt 17:24 master pay tribute? 27...fish...opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money...give to them for me and you.

C. Restoring debts Lu 19:8 Zacchaeus: Lord, half I give to the poor; if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

D. Save Pr 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends/devours all he has.

E. Evangelize Lu 16:9 Make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

F. Ministry/Eternal Dinner Parties Lu 14:12 dinner, call not friends, kinsmen, rich neighbors; lest recompense be made you...

G. Test us  Lu 16:11  If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

H. Develop contentment Ph 4:11...learned, in whatever state...to be content. 12...full...hungry...abound...suffer need. 13  I can do all things thru...

I.  Enjoy both present and future  1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; 18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share; 19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

J. Cause joy by being lavish toward God and generous toward others (remember, money is not their real need) 2Cor 9:12  this service not only supplies the need of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings  to God; (See Part 4 Giving to God and Others)

K. Give to bring pleasure to God Isa 43:24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money...you have wearied me with your iniquities. Pr 3:5-6

III. How to Spend Strategically

A. Courageously be a good stewards/managers of our income and outgo whether we have a little or a lot

B. Establish a “wartime” budget prayerfully and increase you ability to earn (self-limits, laziness, lack skill/knowledge/experience)

C. Go for value: Consider value in the context of stewardship of time and talents (opportunities); Pray before you pay

D.  Lifestyle Frugality/Carefulness Jn 6:12...let nothing be wasted Lu 15:8 ten pieces of silver...lose one...seek diligently till she find it?

E.  Develop sales and desire resistance;  How do you stop an elephant from charging? Ps 62:10...if riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.

F. Consider: need, make do or live without, alternatives, standard/quality, reasons, rent, sale, budget, counsel, witness , pray, wait, will of God?

G. Spend on your needs while investing in your future pleasure. Lu 16:11 If not faithful in the unrighteous mammon...entrust with the true riches?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. If we agree that it all belongs to God, why do we spend on ourselves what even belongs to others?

2. Is saving inconsistent with trusting God? Is it better to increase earnings or decrease spending? What if God doesn’t provide?

3. How can a believer justify spending on their own pleasure while in the midst of a “spiritual war” and starving people?

4. How do you know if you’re being a good steward and your spending is honoring/glorifying God?

5. If you’re not living within a God-honoring emulable budget, why not? What steps can you take to deny yourself and follow Christ?