Bigger…Better…More

"How big your God is

 directly effects how

 little and worthless

 your idols are."

We have constant access to MORE, BETTER & BIGGER things. No wonder so many people fall into the trap of making an idol out of possessions and wealth.
 Our culture screams at us that we are
     NOT ENOUGH if you don't have ENOUGH nice things.

"I loved owning certain things even when I didn't actually need it. However, by me possessing it-it began to possess me."

-(Organized Heart)

There have been times in my life where money and having excess have become an idol. Here is a Truth that is brought to my heart every time these things tend to come before God in my life:

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24 NIV)

I have been learning how our relationship with our money and possessions have 3 phases:

1. Acquisition: when we OBTAIN it
2. Ownership: when we USE or STORE things we have obtained
3. Relinquishment: when we get RID of the things we owned

Now, each of these phases can have healthy and unhealthy manifestations.
-UNHEALTHY-We hoard money/things and we want more than we need. Our possessions become an idol.
-HEALTHY-We exhibit biblical stewardship.

 Now with our sinful, selfish nature it can be hard to give of our possessions and money with a cheerful heart. However, I have realized that one of the best ways to protect myself from the love of money and idolizing possessions is by GIVING. So, how do we give and where do we give? My husband and I are currently learning about how to prioritize where our money is spent and here is what we are trying to implement:

1. Giving to OBLIGATIONS:

-take care of your family first
-2nd, give to your teachers (church, pastors, mentors, etc.)

"Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor." (‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ NIV)

"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ NIV)

2. Giving to OPPORTUNITIES:

-Give to opportunities that arise in your life where you feel God is wanting to use you.
-Give to those especially in the faith.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (‭Galatians‬ 6:10 NIV)

"But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ NIV)

A truth that enables me to give is that

WE DON'T ACTUALLY OWN WHAT WE OWN!

This reality keeps me from idolatry and finding happiness in money and possessions.

 The more we love this life's rewards (leisure, power, popularity, financial security), the more we will discover

 HOW EMPTY THEY REALLY ARE.  

The best way to enjoy life, therefore, is to loosen our greedy grasp on earthly rewards so that we can be free to follow Christ.  In doing so, we will inherit eternal life and begin at once to experience the benefits of following Christ.

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

(1 Timothy 6:7 NIV)

So now that we know WHO to give to, let's explore HOW giving should be:

1. Periodic:
-regular intervals out of your income (e.g. tithing)

2. Personal:
-each person should give, no matter the finances of the church, because you are really giving to God, not to an organization.

3. Planned:
-God loves a cheerful giver

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ NIV)

4. Progressive:
-in keeping with your income

5. Plentiful

6. Private:
-our Father sees our giving

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

Here are a few things I have learned about God & money below...

-Our dependence for anything should be on God. He gives and takes away and we are only stewards of what we have been given:

"The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts."(1 Samuel 2:7 NIV)

"The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers." (Leviticus 25:23 NIV)

-God sets the terms for how we can use wealth:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Invest in real, eternal value today!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (‭Matthew 6:19 NIV)

"The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." (Proverbs 15:6, 16 NIV)

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." (Proverbs 8:10, 11 NIV)

YOU WORSHIP WHAT YOU WORRY ABOUT!!!

The only thing that lasts into Heaven are God's Word and peoples' souls.  Are you investing in these or things that will be left behind after you die?
Invest in eternity and not in this world where things do not last.   Give in such a way that you honor God every time you spend your money.