If I Had A Million Dollars (Recap)

At Explore Church we recently finished a five week sermon series on finances.  Money can be a difficult topic because people are funny and possessive when it comes to their stuff.  Some even question why church should even address the topic of money.  The answer to that question is actually very important.  The reason pastors should preach on money is because it is God's chief competitor for our affections.  While many of us try to straddle the fence and serve both, the Bible tells us that it is just not possible.  Jesus states in Luke 16:13--"You cannot serve God and money."

Money can certainly become an idol that derails our life.  It is amazing the power it can have over us and that the lust for more of it can cause us to make some rather stupid decisions.  John Piper makes the following statement in considering the betrayal of Jesus by Judas:  "Nothing shows the irrational, almost infinite power of money like the selling of the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver."  So we must be cautious when dealing with money.

In this series we learned that with money comes many obstacles that can frustrate us, but we also learned that many opportunities to please God arise as well.  We learned that we do not actually own anything-- God owns everything and that what we have, has been given to us by His grace.  In fact, the area of our greatest need--separation from our heavenly Father due to our sin--God provided for us.  He gave us His Son.  In turn, His Son gave His life as a sacrifice to redeem us and reconcile us to our Creator.

WE GIVE BECAUSE HE GAVE

If we are not owners, what are we?  Stewards.  Managers.  We are to take care of God's stuff as ones who will have to give an account.  Compared to most of the world we are wealthy.  So, what are we to do with all that we have been given?  Invest in the things that matter to God.  A good money manager desires to help the owner reach his financial goals.  As stewards then, we need to manage our finances in a way that helps God's goals become reality.  That leads us to the question:  What matters to God?  The answer is people.  We need to invest in people.  We must trust God with our finances and look for opportunities to impact others.  The most important way to impact others is with the Gospel.  By giving to your church you help contribute to the reaching of people for Christ.

GOD HAS BLESSED YOU TO BLESS OTHERS

Practically speaking, we all need money...to pay the rent, buy groceries, and clothes.  But as managers are we handling our finances as well as possible?  Do we have a plan?  Do you know where each dollar is going?  Money should not be a mystery.  Money should never be the cause of any arguments.  Why?  Because you can track it, you can count it.  Careful planning removes all the mystery and it also does something else.  Planning allows you to be prepared for unexpected opportunities.  You could go on that mission trip or support that special project that needs funding.  Living without financial stress is possible, but it takes planning.

GIVE, SAVE, LIVE

Building a financial plan requires that we consider all that God has given us--refusing to plan is not a recipe for success and freedom.  To the contrary, it will lead to worry, stress, and heartache.  

Most people prioritize their money like this:

1. Spend
2. Pay Debt
3. Pay Taxes
4. Save
5. Give

We know from experience that budgeting like this does not relieve stress or honor God.  The challenge is to flip the list and budget this way:

1. Give
2. Save
3. Pay Taxes
4. Pay Debt
5. Spend (or live off the rest)

By giving first, it shows that we trust God.  It shows that matters of His Kingdom are important to us.  It also helps us become disciplined with our money and learn to live on less.  Finally, giving does something strange...it is hard to explain...but it just happens...

Dave Ramsey sums it up this way:  "Good things that cannot be calculated or quantified are set in motion in your life and in your finances when you give."

A final application:  Write out your future hopes, dreams, goals, and desires.  Consider what you want your life to look like in 10, 25, 50 years.  Now, what is your plan to fund those hopes, dreams, goals, and desires?  What if your dreams and plans lined up with God's plans?  Imagine the impact your life could have if fully surrendered to God!

Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.