Can You Be Rich and Be a Good Christian?.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] If you have your Bibles, go ahead and open them to Deuteronomy. [0:03] Chapter 8, that’s where we’ll start. [0:06] But over the past few weeks, what we’ve been dealing with through this series [0:11] is this idea that there are sacred cows in the church and in each and every one of our lives [0:18] that we simply don’t feel comfortable talking about. [0:21] And so what we do is we go through our lives, we go through our devotions and our quiet time.

[0:27] And there are certain questions in the Scripture that quite often we avoid [0:31] because let’s be honest and let’s be frank, they make us uncomfortable and no one wants to be uncomfortable. [0:38] So for some reason, I chose to spend six weeks talking about one of those questions every week. [0:44] We started out asking the question of can you be a Christian and not be a part of a church [0:50] and not be faithful with a body of believers. [0:54] And we likened it to being a husband who doesn’t live with his wife or spends no time with his wife

[1:00] and you’re not going to have a great marriage. [1:03] And it’s really hard to be a part of the life of Jesus and completely avoid and ignore his bride, the church. [1:10] And then last week we talked about the subject of can you lose your salvation? [1:14] And what we came to through the Scriptures is this understanding of endurance in the life of a believer [1:20] in that no, you cannot lose your salvation if God, if Jesus has come into your life and he’s saved you, [1:28] you can’t lose that, but the evidence of your salvation will be seen in a life of endurance.

[1:35] Thomas Shriner says that endurance or perseverance is the test of authenticity. [1:43] And quite often the hard truth and the very uncomfortable truth for us is seeing people that go throughout their lives not enduring.

[1:57] And not verbally denying Christ, but through their lives deny that great salvation that they claim to have a part of. [2:06] And the Scriptures reveal to us that Christ is not in that.

[2:12] Today, if those topics weren’t uncomfortable enough, I made the mistake of making one week about money.

[2:23] It’s one thing preachers like talking about. It’s money. [2:27] Because let’s be honest, we need it. [2:29] Alright, this stuff doesn’t buy itself. [2:32] But if it’s one thing, if you’ve been here with us since we launched, we haven’t really spent a great deal of time talking about money, [2:38] but God has provided the increase for us time and time again. [2:43] But what we’re going to ask today is not a question of do you have to give to the church.

[2:48] I don’t want you to deal with that because quite frankly I don’t think most people are ready for that. [2:53] What I want to do today is I want to build a theology of wealth. [2:58] Can you be a Christian and be rich? [3:03] And by rich, I mean, is it consistent to be a follower of Jesus Christ and drive a nice car?

[3:15] Does it go along with Scripture to be a follower of Jesus and have a Mercedes or have a Bentley or have a Beamer? [3:24] And is it consistent with Christianity to wear a Rolex? [3:29] This isn’t a Rolex. [3:32] I wish it was, but it’s not.

[3:37] Is it consistent to live a life of luxury and to have wealth, to have a large bank account, to have money, [3:47] and then say that you’re a follower of Jesus? [3:51] And the thing is that this is not a culture that wealth is foreign to. [3:59] Drive through Midlothian and let’s be honest, we live in nice homes. [4:04] Most of us drove a car here this morning. I think all of us probably did. [4:08] Either that or you had a really long walk.

[4:12] And some of you out there are saying to yourself, well, this is a Sunday that I can really tune out on [4:17] because I’m not a wealthy person. I live paycheck to paycheck. I don’t have any money. [4:23] So I’m just going to tune out. I’m going to listen to the songs at the end. [4:26] But I want you to understand something. [4:29] I think if you drove a car here this morning, that means you have a car. [4:35] 8% of the entire world has an automobile.

[4:41] OK, that means 92% of the population of the world does not own a vehicle to drive. [4:50] And I’m not talking about an air conditioned vehicle with power locks. [4:54] I’m not talking about the Lexus or the Toyota that you drove here. [4:58] I’m talking about the Jalopi Deluxe. [5:01] And according to World Finances, my 2001 GMC Sonoma is luxury because it has air conditioning. [5:09] If you have air conditioning in your home, that puts you in the top 5, 4 to 5% of wealth worldwide.

[5:20] OK, so I want to start with an understanding that for 90 to 95% of the world, [5:28] if they were to have a view into your life, they would look at each and every person sitting in this room, [5:35] and they would say, rich, wealth.

[5:42] Upwards of a billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water.

[5:51] That’s a billion.

[5:55] It’s said that every few seconds, a child dies somewhere in the world because of poverty.

[6:05] 800 million people throughout the world will not eat today.

[6:11] And most of you may go to TGI Fridays. [6:14] So you’re not just going to eat. You’re going to go have a pretty good meal. [6:18] And then you’re going to complain because it wasn’t that good. [6:20] Don’t worry, I did that yesterday. [6:24] I didn’t like that sandwich.

[6:27] But what I’m trying to, and I think a lot of people sometimes, they’ll sit there and be like, I’m so guilty. [6:32] I’m going to sell my house and live in a tent. [6:35] No, I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. [6:37] I’m just trying to get you to the realization that, yeah, when it comes to worldwide poverty, [6:45] we, not you, we are a comfortable, wealthy people. [6:54] Well, you don’t know the debt I’ve got. Exactly.

[6:57] You have that debt because of your nice things. [7:03] Or you have that debt like me because of college education. [7:08] When most people have no school to go to at all.

[7:13] So we are a wealthy people. [7:16] We are a people that luxury and comfort are not foreign to us. [7:21] I slept on a Sealy Posturepedic last night. [7:24] Okay. [7:25] Let’s be honest. It was comfortable.

[7:29] The wedding of James, if you’re wondering, James got married yesterday and everybody said, Amen.

[7:37] But I was finishing the wedding and I was just driving home and I was like, I cannot wait to go to bed. [7:46] But sometimes we have to stop and say how many people won’t be able to say that tonight.

[7:52] And when I think about the world in that type of understanding, [7:56] not the understanding that we see it on TV, but the understanding that it’s real. [8:02] All right. [8:03] The understanding that some people will walk miles just for water.

[8:08] It brings to me an understanding not of guilt, but an understanding of wealth [8:13] and an understanding that God has put me into a culture and I have been raised in a culture [8:20] that is used to a certain standard of living.

[8:24] And we are used to a certain standard of comfort. [8:27] And yet we live as if we have none. [8:31] And we live as if our wealth is non-existent. [8:34] But it is. So when I’m talking about wealthy people this morning, I’m talking about us.

[8:43] You’re like, well, I saw some people with a nicer car than me. [8:46] So what? You’ve got one?

[8:50] I don’t see many bikes going down Genito Road other than the guys in spandex who shouldn’t be wearing spandex. [8:58] They’re not on those bikes because they have to use them to get somewhere. [9:00] They’re on it because that’s what we call exercise. [9:03] Other people just call that transportation.

[9:07] So when you leave today and you get in your car, realize, whew, I’m rich. [9:15] But when we realize that, okay, because that’s not the point of today, by the way. [9:21] I’m not just going to spend a lot of time talking about how rich you are. [9:24] The point of today is where does that come from?

[9:30] And once we find the source of where that comes from, and some of you have already said, [9:34] I’ll tell you where it comes from, 40 hours a week, buddy.

[9:39] If you did that, I really want you to pay attention today. [9:42] Where does that come from? [9:46] And then does the source of our wealth have anything to do with how we use our wealth? [9:56] Because each and every one of us have money and we use it for things. [10:02] And does that have anything to say about our relationship with Jesus Christ? [10:11] All right.

[10:12] Let the cat out of the bag, it does.

[10:16] What we’re going to do today is we’re going to unpack two extremes. [10:18] Because there’s two extremes when talking about money in the church. [10:22] The first extreme is what’s been referred to as prosperity theology. [10:27] And you guys know these guys, if you don’t, 10 o’clock tonight, turn the TV in. [10:32] These are the guys that will tell you that if you are a follower of Jesus, [10:36] Romans chapter 8 says you’re more than a conqueror in your finances, in your health.

[10:45] All right. And you can have your best life now.

[10:50] And so what they’ll say is that for the committed and the true follower of Jesus, [10:55] you will not have financial problems, you will not have bad health, [11:00] but you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise in Jesus. [11:04] Because he wants you to experience kingdom living right now, [11:08] where your victory is about your lifestyle. [11:12] And if you don’t have a Bentley, you don’t have faith.

[11:18] But then there’s the other extreme, and that’s what’s been referred to as poverty theology. [11:23] All right. Now poverty theology says that if you are a follower of Jesus, [11:28] that demands that you sell all of your possessions, that you give it to the poor, [11:33] that you live a life of self-denial where pleasure is just denied, [11:38] and your goal in life is to be as miserable physically as possible. [11:42] Because only then can you experience the heavenly delight in our life

[11:47] and experience what kingdom living is all about. [11:52] And life in Jesus is meant to be lived in self-denial, [11:57] and a meager lifestyle of absolute, radical simplicity where possessions are concerned. [12:06] All right.

[12:10] And so when you’ve got two extremes like this, often we say, [12:16] which one is it? [12:18] Because we deal with this subject so little that most of us have no idea, [12:23] so we try to live somewhere in the middle of it. [12:27] And we just want a yes or a no. [12:30] No! To both.

[12:35] All right. And half of you over here in prosperity are like, [12:39] charlatan. [12:41] And the other half, materialist. [12:44] All right. [12:46] Just track with me for a few minutes. [12:48] First off, prosperity theology is the doctrine of hell.

[12:52] If I offended you with that, I’m sorry. [12:55] But you needed to be offended. [12:57] Nowhere in scripture are you going to find that your following of Jesus Christ [13:01] is equated with a comfortable lifestyle here on earth, [13:05] and that the more faithful you are to Jesus, the more money you’ll have, [13:08] the nicer possessions you’ll have, and you’ll wear an Armani suit.

[13:13] Philippians chapter 4 verse 19 does say, [13:18] And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. [13:25] Does say that. [13:26] So what we sometimes do is we look to verses like that and say, [13:29] well, what are the riches that God has? [13:31] Well, he’s the creator of everything, so his riches in Christ Jesus are unending.

[13:36] So if I follow Jesus, I’ll have riches ever more.

[13:42] But look at verse 20, okay? [13:44] Look at verse 20.

[13:47] The last half of verse 19 says, According to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, [13:53] to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. [13:57] So when you read a verse like that, do not say, I need this, I need that. [14:03] His riches in glory, he better give it to me, or he’s a liar. [14:07] No, because what that scripture actually says is, [14:09] he will provide according to his riches in glory in Jesus so that he will receive glory.

[14:18] So you do not have the option of defining your need. [14:23] God defines your need and provides for you accordingly, according to scripture. [14:30] So our definition of what we need is so far off, it’s ridiculous. [14:35] Trust me, I watch MTV Cribs, the Bentley Phantom, that is a fantastic automobile, [14:41] and I would drive one in a second, but none of us need that. [14:47] None of us need a $3,000 Armani suit.

[14:52] So you cannot claim scriptures like that and then say, this is a need. [14:57] So let’s be honest about that really quick. [15:00] Sometimes we are very selfish when we have to talk about our needs. [15:06] All right? [15:08] But then second, let’s go to that poverty theology, [15:11] because usually when somebody denies prosperity theology,

[15:14] they’re going to be really quick to go and claim poverty theology. [15:18] And I’m not going to do that.

[15:23] In poverty theology, if we look in Luke chapter 18, [15:26] we come to a very strange piece of scripture where Jesus is talking to this guy [15:31] that the scripture calls a rich young ruler, and he comes to Jesus and he says, [15:34] Jesus, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life? [15:37] And Jesus says, you need to follow and obey the law and the prophets. [15:41] I’m summarizing, and the man looks at Jesus and he says,

[15:44] Good, I’ve done all that. [15:47] And then Jesus looks at him and he says, [15:49] One thing you lack, go sell all of your possessions and distribute it to the poor, [15:56] and then follow me. [15:59] And the scripture says the man walks away totally befuddled, totally depressed, [16:05] because what Jesus just asked of him was too much.

[16:09] He couldn’t do it. [16:12] But then right after that it says that the disciples were dumbfounded, [16:15] because then they look to Jesus and they say, [16:19] If rich can’t enter the kingdom of God, then who can?

[16:24] So is Jesus laying down a law right here, and if we’re going to follow Jesus, [16:28] we’ve got to do all this? [16:30] Understand something. [16:33] To answer this type of question, we have to develop a theology of wealth. [16:38] We have to build a foundation. [16:41] Because one thing we can be really honest with about our culture,

[16:43] especially right here in Midlothian, is that we don’t have a really good theology of wealth, [16:48] because we don’t really know the answer to this question. [16:54] So to do this I want to start with just a very simple question. [16:59] Is Jesus laying down a command for all of us?

[17:05] To answer that I’ve got to go all the way back to the basics. [17:07] I’ve got to start with God. [17:10] Understand that God is the source of wealth. [17:16] He’s the source.

[17:18] So when we demonize the wealthy,

[17:25] understand that the source of their wealth is God. [17:28] And you say, What do you mean? [17:30] Deuteronomy, chapter 8. [17:33] The book of Deuteronomy is written by Moses, who was the prophet, priest, and king, per se, of Israel. [17:40] And Jesus is a better Moses. [17:43] But in Deuteronomy, chapter 8, Moses is writing to the Hebrew nation, to the nation of Israel.

[17:50] God is literally speaking through Moses as his prophet. [17:54] And what happens here is, is Moses is preparing them for entering into the promised land. [18:00] And in Deuteronomy, chapter 8, God through Moses tells the nation of Israel, [18:05] I’m going to give you this land. [18:08] I’m going to give every bit of it to you. [18:10] But not only that, you’re going to go into this land and you are going to prosper.

[18:16] You’re going to flourish. [18:17] I’m going to give you great agricultural gain. [18:20] Your crops will be plenteous. [18:22] Your herds of cattle will be huge. [18:25] And so God literally tells Israel, I’m going to make you rich.

[18:32] God doesn’t promise evil.

[18:35] God promises he’ll make them rich. [18:38] God does promise to bring them prosperity.

[18:42] But notice what God says in verse 17. [18:47] He says, Beware, lest you say in your heart, [18:51] that the power of my hand and my power have gotten me this wealth. [18:56] You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth. [19:02] That he may confirm his covenant, that he swore to your fathers as it is this day. [19:08] And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them,

[19:13] I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. [19:17] I submit to you that Jesus told the rich young ruler in Luke chapter 18 to sell all of his possessions [19:24] because he was guilty of Deuteronomy chapter 8.

[19:31] And Jesus knew his heart and so he simply called him out. [19:34] And he said, I’m not your God, your wealth is your God, and you don’t even know where it came from. [19:41] Because if you knew, you’d be willing to sell it all.

[19:48] And Moses warns Israel, he says, you’re going to go into that land, and you’re going to think in your head, [19:54] okay, how did we get the land? [19:55] Well, God said he was going to give it to us, but I sure did handle that sword.

[20:01] I sure was involved in those military campaigns when we drove the Canaanites out.

[20:09] God didn’t really give us the land.

[20:12] I got us the land. [20:15] And I’m going to say, yeah, God said he’s going to prosper me, but man, my hands sure are calloused. [20:21] I sure did have to till that ground to grow that wheat. [20:25] I sure did have to grow those things myself. [20:27] I sure did have to herd those cattle myself. [20:30] They were going to run away, but I herded them.

[20:32] Yeah, God, I earned my keep. [20:37] These are my possessions.

[20:43] And Moses says, be careful, because if God had so desired, he could have had every single person in the military killed by the Canaanites. [20:57] And if God had so desired, he could have cursed that land and said no wheat can come forth out of it. [21:05] He could have cursed those cattle and killed every one of them. [21:08] So yeah, God did provide through the means of the work of your hands, but understand that he was the source of absolutely every bit of it. [21:17] And if you forget that fact, understand that you are worshiping the possessions rather than the provider of the possessions.

[21:27] So that’s where we got to start.

[21:30] Understand, every dime in your bank account, no matter how many hours you work this week to put them there, they’re from God.

[21:40] No matter how little is there, whatever is there, it’s there from God.

[21:46] Remember, I said I drive a 2001 GMC Sonoma rolling on factory 14s. [21:52] Alright.

[21:57] This isn’t an Armani shirt. [21:59] But understand that every dime in my bank account came from the God and the creator of everything. [22:05] And so the minute I look at my bank account and say mine, I’m worshiping a false God that doesn’t even exist. [22:15] It’s not mine. [22:18] Everything under heaven and earth belongs to God.

[22:24] And so what does that mean? Where do we go with that? [22:27] Well really quickly, okay, if you can, it’ll be up here if you can, open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 25. [22:33] Because I had to build a foundation to get here. [22:36] Because the concept that we have to start with to understand the theology of wealth and possessions is that God is the source of all wealth. [22:45] But then we have to go to, if He is the source, then what does He want us to do with His stuff? [22:55] Does He care?

[22:57] Or can we just make it all about us? [23:00] Because He loves us, right? [23:01] He does, but sometimes we like to turn that love into something that’s totally me-centered and not Him-centered. [23:07] And remember, His love is totally Him-centered. [23:11] Because Romans chapter 11, what it tells us is that God’s mind is so greater and His creation is so fantastic that He is the ruler and maker of everything. [23:22] How in searchable are His ways.

[23:25] But then in verse 36, what it says, it says, that for of, from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. [23:35] And all means all. [23:37] Okay? [23:39] So God being the source goes far more than possessions. [23:45] It goes to every single thing in life at all. [23:48] Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher, said that when you wake up in the morning, sometimes the sunlight will be coming into your window,

[23:56] and you’ll see what are called dust motes floating in the air, and you’ll think, ooh, I breathe that? [24:03] But what Charles Spurgeon said, he wrote one time, he said, even those dust motes floating in the air are holding their position because of the sovereign rule of God our King.

[24:15] So when we read the scriptures about God being the source, understand, He’s the source of everything. [24:22] Not only that, but He’s sovereign over every bit of it.

[24:26] And in Matthew chapter 25, what we have is probably the greatest parable, because understand, Jesus said more about money through the Gospels, [24:34] than He said really about anything else. [24:38] When we ignore money, we ignore the place where Jesus drove a dagger into our heart. [24:42] Alright? [24:43] And in Matthew chapter 25, when it comes to how do we use our finances, we see one of the greatest parables of this. [24:50] And Jesus is talking about the kingdom of heaven and what life is like in the kingdom of heaven, and how can we enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[24:57] In chapter 25 verse 14, He says, For it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. [25:05] To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. [25:16] Then he went away.

[25:20] So, Jesus is telling a parable here, and He’s writing as if God is a master who has a journey that He is on, that He is taking history towards. [25:32] And He says, The master brought his servants in, and He gave to each of his servants, according to their ability, one five talents, one two talents, one one talent, each according to their ability. [25:46] Okay? [25:47] So what we can summarize from that term ability, is that the master had something that he wanted his servants to do with these talents. [25:57] He did not just expect them to put them in the safe, but rather he said, Servants, go use my talents and do something with them and I’ll come back and get them.

[26:08] And what I want you to understand is that what these three servants do with their talents tell us two things about them. [26:16] The first thing it tells us is what they thought about the master. [26:21] And the second thing tells us what they thought about their place in His kingdom.

[26:29] And when we’re dealing with this, understand that our finances are very similar to that. [26:34] God is the source. [26:35] He has given us from Himself, and He has something He wants us to do with it. [26:43] And what we do with it says what we think about God, and what we think about our place in His kingdom.

[26:53] Finances reveal values.

[27:02] This is where you might squirm.

[27:06] How you spend your money shows what you really value in life.

[27:20] I don’t care how little you have. [27:23] There are some still arguing in their brains that this does not apply to me. [27:26] Yes it does.

[27:29] The shirt you’re wearing, you bought it right? [27:34] Well it says what you value. [27:36] I bought this shirt. I’m not going to lie. [27:38] I valued it. [27:40] I thought it might make me look good.

[27:44] Just let me believe the lie.

[27:49] So I valued it because it was on the clearance rack. [27:54] And I bought it. [27:55] And it showed that this shirt was worth at least five dollars to me. [28:00] But it says something about my values.

[28:04] Where you eat today says something about your values. [28:07] Where you live says something about your values. [28:09] What you drive says something about your values. [28:12] The submarine sandwich from Quiznos you eat tomorrow for lunch says you value Quiznos for lunch. [28:16] This is just kind of common sense in economics.

[28:22] So understand that how you use your money is going to reveal in your value system what you think about the source of your money. [28:33] Hebrews chapter 13 verse 5. [28:36] We have a few warnings that we have to get out of the way. [28:38] It says keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have. [28:44] For he has said I will never leave you nor forsake you. [28:48] In this verse we have two things.

[28:51] First, no matter what situation I’m in in my life, no matter what difficult circumstance I’m in in my life, even financially, Jesus promised never to leave me. [29:01] But on the front end of that, the author of Hebrews writes keep yourself free from the love of money. [29:10] Because what he’s saying is how you view your finances and how you view your money reveals the true God of your life. [29:18] And if you live to build a giant bank account and you just like, if you were a kid like me, you watch DuckTales and Scrooge McDuck would go to his bank and he would swim in his money. [29:30] Alright? [29:31] Some of you are young enough or old enough to know what I’m talking about.

[29:35] But some of us is like I wish I could do that. [29:39] But understand, that says something about you.

[29:45] In everything we do, every single day in our lives, we’re worshipping something. [29:51] And for a great number of us in the culture, in the United States, but especially in the culture of Midlothian, we do struggle with worshipping money.

[30:03] You’re not alone.

[30:09] But the scripture says don’t.

[30:15] Jesus is looking at the rich young ruler and he’s saying you love money. [30:19] And he doesn’t say that to say money is evil, he says that to say you’re lying. [30:23] You have not obeyed the law and the prophets. [30:25] It says don’t put any other god before me and he’s quickly putting his money right before Jesus.

[30:32] So a lot of us are going to say we value Jesus out of our mouth, but the way that we’re going to spend our money this coming week is going to show that we don’t value him that much.

[30:44] So does that lead us to a place that tells us that money is evil? [30:49] No.

[30:51] No. [30:52] 1 Timothy chapter 6 is very important. [30:57] Because 1 Timothy chapter 6 is written to a young pastor in a church in an area that is very affluent in that day and age.

[31:07] There was a trading route that went right through there. [31:10] So people had started businesses and they had flourished and the rich people were getting saved. [31:16] And Paul does not tell Timothy you go tell those rich people to sell everything they’ve got because their wealth is wicked. [31:23] No. [31:23] He tells Timothy he says as for the rich in this present age charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes in the uncertainty of riches but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. [31:39] Whoa.

[31:40] So we got a scripture there that says we can enjoy our things. [31:44] But our hope better not be in them. [31:47] They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. [31:54] Thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. [32:03] He tells Timothy he says look to the rich in your congregation. [32:07] Look to the rich in Midlothian Virginia and tell them.

[32:11] Say if you are rich, live in such a way to show that your hope is not in your finances, but that your hope is in God who is restoring his kingdom and use your wealth in such a way as to build the kingdom of God through your generosity, through your sharing. [32:33] When a person has a need, you are the first person to step up and say I’ve got more than enough. [32:39] Here you go. [32:40] He’s saying develop a kingdom lifestyle. [32:44] It is not about thou shouts and thou shouts not where money is concerned. [32:48] It is about actually using the noggin that God gave you to say what is the most strategic way that I can use the financial gains that God has given me so that I can show that I am a member of his kingdom and that I want to build his church.

[33:09] The whole while we just want somebody to say can I be rich or not? [33:16] Are you? [33:17] Then yes you can be. [33:20] But you better not live like it.

[33:24] You better not flash it. [33:27] Don’t be haughty. [33:30] Be generous.

[33:33] Share.

[33:35] Live for the kingdom. [33:37] Because what he’s saying here, very important to notice the last sentence in verse 19 when he says thus storing up for themselves as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. [33:51] What he’s saying is that God may have given you five talents where money is concerned. [33:55] And if he has done that you’re going to look at it and say this is from God my king and I’m going to use it in such a way to show that my real value in life is in the kingdom of God because this is just a temporary place and I’m headed to what is truly life and that is before the throne and worship of Jesus Christ my king. [34:13] So I’m going to leverage everything I have for him.

[34:17] And Paul is laying down for Timothy a core value that says all of life must be gospel centered and mission driven.

[34:29] Not just our money, everything that we have but let’s deal with money. [34:33] Okay so we’ve got the rich people and you’re rich.

[34:38] So what do you do with all that money that God has given you? [34:41] Acts chapter four. [34:42] I want to look at there really quick because this is a great example of what the early church did. [34:47] What the rich people in the early church did because Jerusalem was not foreign to money. [34:51] They had some and in Acts chapter four we see a story about some rich people in the early church and it says and with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all. [35:04] So people were growing in their faith in Jesus and there was not a needy person among them for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles feet and it was distributed to each as any had need.

[35:24] Thus Joseph who was also called Barnabas which means son of encouragement, a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet. [35:37] What the rich people started doing in Jerusalem is they said look at all that God has given me, how can I use it to build his church? [35:43] And they said well I’ve got a house over here that I’m not even living in, I’m going to sell that. [35:47] I’ve got a hundred acres over there that I’m not even living in, I’m going to sell that. [35:52] And so they started using their wealth, they started leveraging their wealth for the kingdom of God. [35:58] But nowhere does it say that they denied their wealth or that they ceased to be wealthy.

[36:04] No, it showed that they leveraged their wealth. [36:06] Barnabas was so wealthy that he was able to just retire and live off his retirement plan and then he traveled the globe with Paul planting churches. [36:17] He leveraged his wealth for the kingdom of God.

[36:21] And some of us won’t even leverage our lunch hour.

[36:26] So what, were these people now going to live in poverty?

[36:32] No, not according to 1 Timothy chapter 6. [36:37] It isn’t that they started denying the abilities that God had given them because remember the parable that we’re going in. [36:44] The master wanted them to invest what he had given them.

[36:50] This is what happened. [36:53] There were shrewd business people in the church.

[36:57] And they began to look at their possessions and say how can I strategically get the most gain out of the talents where money is concerned that God has given me to grow the kingdom of God.

[37:14] They leveraged their lives.

[37:19] Go back to Matthew chapter 25.

[37:22] Let’s start back in verse 16. [37:25] He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them and he made five talents more. [37:33] So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. [37:36] But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. [37:44] Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. [37:48] And he who had received the five talents came forward bringing five talents more.

[37:53] I mean he had doubled it. [37:55] That’s good investing. [37:57] Saying master you delivered to me five talents here. [38:00] I have made five talents more.

[38:10] He also who had the two talents came forward saying master you have delivered to me two talents here. [38:16] I have made two talents more. [38:18] He doubled his as well. [38:20] His master said to him well done good and faithful servant you have been faithful over a little. [38:24] I will set you over much. [38:25] Enter into the joy of your master.

[38:28] He also who had received the one talent came forward saying now listen to this.

[38:33] Master I knew you to be a hard man reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. [38:44] So I was afraid.

[38:49] What these three servants did with their money showed how they viewed their master and how they viewed their place in his kingdom. [38:58] Two servants loved their master. [39:01] Gave them growth and wealth. [39:02] [39:02] They were a great joy to invest his wealth for him.

[39:08] And they knew they belonged in his kingdom.

[39:13] One servant hated his master.

[39:19] He said you are a hard man.

[39:24] You expect me to do all the work and then you are going to reap the benefit. [39:28] How dare you. [39:32] So I hid it because I was afraid of you.

[39:39] He did not love the master.

[39:42] And he did not want any part of his kingdom.

[39:48] And I went and hid your talent in the ground.

[39:53] Here have what is yours. [39:55] But his master answered him you wicked and slothful servant. [40:01] You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed. [40:05] Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers and at my coming I should have received what was my own. [40:13] With interest the source was the master. [40:17] The servant had no claim to any of the other to begin with.

[40:20] It was not his. [40:21] So take the talent from him. [40:25] And give it to him who has the ten talents. [40:28] For to everyone who has more will be given and he will have an abundance. [40:32] But from the one who has not even what he has will be taken away. [40:37] And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[40:55] He resented wealth even though it was handed right to him.

[41:07] How many of us often resent God while everything in the kingdom of God is being handed right to us?

[41:22] Yeah sure. Let’s be honest. [41:24] Where money is concerned some people have five talents. [41:28] Some people have two talents. [41:30] And some people have one talent. [41:32] Yeah that’s true. [41:34] Some of you have more money than others.

[41:38] But here’s the key.

[41:41] Notice that the two talent guy never said because I didn’t get five talents I’m out. [41:47] No. [41:49] He loved the master. [41:51] And he knew he belonged in his kingdom. [41:53] And he lived his life accordingly.

[41:59] Because he wanted to live with great love for the master. [42:04] So you know who got to define how he lived? [42:09] The master.

[42:12] Each and every one of us have been given at least a talent.

[42:18] Even the poorest of the poor have a talent. [42:20] You know. [42:21] Financially yeah we all have something. [42:23] And the gods must be crazy they had a coke bottle.

[42:28] I guess I’m too old.

[42:33] But understand something. [42:35] How we use what God has given us shows what we really believe about God.

[42:41] How we use what he has given us shows what our treasure really is. [42:44] Because God is supposed to be our treasure.

[42:48] Those servants never relished in the talents. [42:54] They relished in their view of the master.

[43:00] The one who did not invest the talents of the master did so because he hated the master. [43:07] Feared him and did not want to be in his kingdom. [43:10] Understand that how you use the resources that God has provided you with shows what you believe about God. [43:16] And what you believe about his kingdom. [43:18] Because some of you are going to spend your entire life complaining. [43:21] Because God did not put you in an existence with rich parents.

[43:25] And didn’t make you rich when you were older. [43:27] And you’re going to be mad at God when the whole time he’s saying that’s not to be what your value system is based on anyway. [43:33] Because look at what I have done with you in Jesus Christ. [43:36] In Romans chapter 8 it says that he has brought us into his kingdom by which we can cry unto him Abba Father. [43:41] We’ve been reconciled with God through Jesus Christ our King. [43:44] And he wants us to leverage our money.

[43:47] He wants us to leverage our talents. [43:49] He wants us to leverage every resource that we have for his kingdom. [43:53] And how we do so is going to reveal what we really believe. [43:58] We can say we love God out of our mouth. [44:00] But then we can live as if financial gain or financial ruin is what we’re really going to focus our lives on.

[44:10] Because it’s all his.

[44:14] And understand that some of us, we feel that we have been shafted so much in life. [44:21] So we demonize wealth itself. [44:24] And we say well then I’m just going to live as a pauper and a vagabond. [44:30] Because I’m so angry. [44:31] But that’s how God wants us to live. [44:33] So we’ve got to sell all of our possessions.

[44:35] We’ve got to be completely acidic in our lifestyle. [44:37] And we can’t do anything outside of poverty.

[44:43] Well you’ve just condemned much of the world to hell. [44:47] Because we’re not to live based on a value system of economics from this world. [44:52] But of economics from the next world. [44:55] And the scripture says some of you have five talents financially. [44:58] And you are responsible for leveraging that for the kingdom of God. [45:03] And how dare you.

[45:05] Try to live as if your wealth cannot be redeemed through Jesus and used for his mission.

[45:16] And some of you are like me. [45:17] You can’t go and support 75,000 orphans. [45:21] I’m a church planter. We’re poor.

[45:25] But what I can do.

[45:29] It’s like I learned when I was a kid. [45:30] That’s one of the funny things. [45:32] Because I don’t talk about what I learned as a kid much. [45:34] Because I learned a lot of weird legalism. [45:37] But I can look at it and I can say little as much when God is in it.

[45:44] And I can say God I don’t have much but here it is. [45:48] Here’s my five loves and two fish. [45:51] And he’s the God of the universe. [45:52] He can take it and use it for much.

[45:57] As much as I’m preaching you this morning. [45:59] I’ve been preaching to myself over the past three years. [46:01] A great deal of repentance where finances are concerned. [46:04] And taking place in my life.

[46:08] And some of you feel like you’re down and out. [46:11] Your debt to income ratio is like way off.

[46:16] But I want to let you know.

[46:21] That God is still giving you talents.

[46:24] And Philippians 419 does say. [46:27] He will provide every need according to his riches in Christ Jesus for his glory.

[46:34] But do not blame your poor financial choices on God. [46:43] Own them.

[46:46] Own them. [46:48] And then repent. [46:51] And live differently.

[46:53] If God is our great treasure.

[46:58] Does that say anything about how we should use our finances? [47:01] I think it does.

[47:04] I think it does. [47:04] I can’t get away from that.

[47:09] If I looked at your bank account and that’s illegal so don’t worry.

[47:14] I’m not going to. [47:15] I’m not that kind of pastor.

[47:18] But if we were to look at your bank account today. [47:21] [47:21] And this is just a personal question I want you to deal with right now. [47:26] Would it look any differently than the bank account of a non-believer?

[47:32] Could I look or could someone else look at your. [47:34] Because I’m so stupid I probably wouldn’t even be able to realize what those X’s and O’s meant. [47:39] But could someone look at your finances.

[47:42] And say man they’re using their finances different than normal people.

[47:49] Why are they giving this there and this there. [47:53] Why are they so generous?

[47:58] And then the answer is Jesus.

[48:02] Do your finances reflect gospel values?

[48:06] Do your finances reflect missional living?

[48:12] Because I tell you for a long time. [48:14] Mine did not.

[48:18] And I’m just now getting to a place where I can say there’s a little something at least.

[48:28] The question is can you drive a Bentley.

[48:32] Wear a Rolex.

[48:35] And follow Jesus.

[48:38] Well I think a better question.

[48:43] Is that a good strategy. [48:45] To further the gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth. [48:50] Because hey I don’t think it would be a good strategy for me to come up on stage unshaven, unshowered.

[48:56] Holes all in my clothes.

[48:59] I had to go buy a decent outfit so that you would just listen to me. [49:04] So in some cultures yeah it’s probably a good idea to at least wash your clothes.

[49:11] But what I’m saying is this is not a yes or no. [49:14] This is not an easy question. [49:16] This is something for you to go home and form a strategy for how you’re going to use your resources to further the kingdom of God. [49:24] This is a tension subject. [49:26] Are you willing to live in the tension with your finances so that you can further the kingdom of God.

[49:33] Because of all that he’s done for us. [49:36] Because we don’t do it to earn his love. [49:38] We do it because he showed us his love through Jesus our King.

[49:47] I want to prepare for what truly is life. [49:50] And that’s life in the kingdom of God. [49:53] Because Luke chapter 12 verse 34 Jesus tells us for where your treasure is there your heart is also.

[50:03] So let’s live as followers of Jesus in every area of life. [50:08] Because if you aren’t a five talent Christian where money is concerned. [50:12] You’re a five talent Christian somewhere else in your life. [50:14] And you need to leverage that for the kingdom of God.

[50:18] This was just money. [50:20] There’s way more we could talk about where this is concerned. [50:23] But I won’t because you probably want lunch.

[50:27] So what we’re going to do right now is we’re going to move into a time of reflection. [50:31] Over our finances. [50:34] Over our riches. [50:34] But more than that over the gospel of Jesus Christ. [50:38] Who loved us and gave himself for us. [50:41] We’re going to reflect in communion.

[50:44] And during this time I really want you to deal with God. [50:46] I want you to spend a moment or two asking God. [50:50] God where do I need repentance in my resources.

[50:55] This isn’t just about giving to the church. [50:59] This is about living life.

[51:05] And then I want you to come forward. [51:06] And I want you to come forward with clean hands. [51:09] Having confessed your sins to God. [51:12] And then I want you to proclaim that you believe the gospel. [51:15] And for some of you that’s going to be difficult because your money is your God.

[51:21] So it’s going to be hard to come up here and proclaim that you love the gospel. [51:25] And believe the gospel more than anything else in the world. [51:27] And then you’re going to walk out the door and spend your money as if God doesn’t even exist.

[51:35] So really deal with God over the next few minutes.

[51:39] Drew and the guys are going to come up. [51:42] And they’re going to play and they’re just going to let you pray and worship. [51:46] And let God deal with you for a few minutes. [51:49] And if you need to talk I’m up here.

[51:52] I won’t look down on you. [51:54] I know where you are.

[51:57] There are still so many areas of my life where repentance is absolutely necessary day in and day out.

[52:04] I just want to love on you and I want to help you. [52:07] And I want to let you know there’s hope in living for Jesus Christ.

[52:12] Let’s pray. [52:14] Father we love you.

[52:18] Lord as we reflect on your gospel through your communion, your supper.

[52:27] Lord let us know and believe that you have opened this table through the blood of your son Jesus. [52:33] And all who believe may come forward. [52:36] But God may we deal with it in honesty.

[52:41] May we repent. [52:43] Of our idolatry.

[52:47] Amen.