8 Arenas – Money – Psalm 24:1

Money – 1 of 8 arenas

What if Jesus was the only voice that any of us listened to?

Covering the arena of money today.

If you were dreading hearing another sermon about tithing today, we will barely even mention tithing

Who owns everything we see or touch in this world?

Psalm 24:1 – The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord;

Manager vs. owner – Whose money? The Lord’s or ours.

Luke 16:1 – Now he said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who received an accusation that his manager was squandering his possessions.”

Who’s possessions – the rich man’s or his manager.

If we are to be managers, how shall we behave?

Matt 25:14 -18 

V 14 – He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

3 servants

2 did what they knew their master wanted

1 went and buried the $$ in the ground

Matt 25:21 – 23

21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.” – to both servants

I long to hear this statement from Jesus of WELL DONE, FAITHFUL SERVANT vs. what He told the servant who buried the money allocated to him.

Matt 25:26 – “His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant!

You wicked, lazy servant having done the opposite of what he knew his Master wanted.

Note that the talent that he had was taken away. If we choose not to obey, even what we have will be taken away.

Obey who?? Jesus confirmed through His word, the Holy Spirit’s promptings, and Godly counsel.

2 Peter 3:10 – 12 /check 10a – But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; 11b – it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness. 12a – as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming

How do we do this?

By acknowledging the Lordship of JC in every arena of our lives – not just 8

Jesus our Master and King

By setting our eyes on Heaven and the rule and reign of JC.

By choosing to be conformed to the image of JC. –

Romans 8:29 – 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

By making sure than we love Jesus more than any other thing in our lives

Where are our treasures?

1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, 

Anytime we long for anything more than Jesus, it’s idolatry.

Jesus wants to be the one and only in every area of our lives.

Matt 6:19 – 21 – V19a –

Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth V20a – But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven V21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

No storing of treasures on earth but rather in Heaven

For where your treasures are, there will be your heart.

Remember that at New City, we give from all three categories

Time

Talent – a special skill, a willingness, becoming aware of a need

Treasure – to give back a portion of what He has given you.

Matt 6:24

You cannot serve both God and money.

God is our provider in every area of our lives

Matt 6:31 – 33

V31a – So don’t worry V33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you

So do not worry – if you worry, please raise your hand.

Worry is becoming sin to me because I am not trusting the One who has engraved me on His hand.

The opposite of worry is trust – if you want to trust more, raise your hand. I know I do. We earn our money through contracting so no guaranteed wage.

2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (NIV)

When Jesus Christ says all, that is what He means.

Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer – Give us today our daily bread. – Matt 6:11

Who provides for my family and I?

Story of my dad – the provider

Practical issues –

Tithing – a 10^th of all time, talents and treasures God has provided for your household

Generosity Ladder – a picture of where your giving of time, talents, and treasures may fall and something for you to pray about.

Ephs 2:8 – 10 –

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do

We give to God of our time, talents, and treasures to honor Him and help build His Kingdom.

Personal challenges

I am working on resting in God about provisions

Providing has always been a critical issue for me.

Sowing into Jesus and His Kingdom vs. paying the bills.

Do I want Jesus more than anything else?

Is Matt 6:33 being a reality in my life?

Praying that the Lord would reveal where He is working so that we can join Him there – from Experiencing God.

If there is anyone in this room who doesn’t know how much Jesus loves you, we would love to introduce you to the one who will save you.