April 13, 2008 Summit AM
Victorious
Christians Are Not Manipulated By Greed
Introduction
A. Text Acts 4:32-5:11
B. Its tax time thoughts of many Americans are on money
1. How much they are getting as a refund how much paying
2. Hopefully you have filed get your extra rebate (give 10% - parking lot)
C. Discuss being manipulated by greed
1. Struggle we all face
2. Way relate to money effects us spiritually
D. Pray
A, Religious
leaders throughout history
1. Elis sons were greedy for the best of the sacrifices
2. Jer.6:13 from the least to the greatest greedy (prophet & priest alike)
3. Religious of Jesus day loved money
4. Judas greed used by Satan to manipulate him
B. See
the start of great movements for God
1. OT advancing into Promised Land Achans greed
2. Advancing of NT church Ananias & Saphria
C. Question how should we view money wealth?
1. Having money is not wrong
a. Great men of bible were rich Abraham; Solomon; David; Job
b. Wealth & honor comes from God 1 Chron.29:12
c. Wrong to hoard it continuously seek more
2. Wealth is a gift from God
a. Deut.8:11-18 warns lest forget is from God
b. All we have is because of His providence
3. Be willing to part with your
wealth if God requires it
a. Job Lord gives & Lord takes away
b. Are times God will allow your wealth to be taken
4. Having wealth does not warrant
preferential treatment
a. Some with wealth think they deserve better treatment
b. James 2:1-10 it is the poor that are rich in faith
5. Wealth will never bring you
any real security
a. Are so uncertain (easily devalued)
b. Prov.11:28 trust in riches will fall
6. Never pursue wealth as the
highest goal of your life
a. 1 Tim.6:9,10 love of is root of many evils
b. Mt.6:33 seek 1st Gods kingdom all things given to you
A. Joshua 7:20,21 I saw; I coveted them; I took & hid them
1. Had experienced Gods providence for 40 years never lacked
2. Were entering the Promised Land theres for the taking
B. Acts 5:1-10 lie to the Holy Spirit
1. Was a marvelous church vibrant & alive
2. Satan unable to stop them persecution backfired
3. Works internally on mans weaknesses greed
C. 1
Tim.6:6-10
1. Fail to see & appreciate
what is really important
a. Eccles.5:10 he who love money is never satisfied with money
b. Godliness when accompanied with contentment is great gain
1) Godliness reverence or likeness to God (holiness)
2) Contentment sufficiency (unmoved by circumstances)
3) Contentment is derived from God
a) 2 Cor.3:5 our adequacy is from God
b) 2 Cor.9:8 God is able to make all grace abound
c) Phil.4:19 God shall supply all your needs
d) Having complete trust in the all suffice of God
e. Ps.63:1-5 my soul is satisfied
2. Gets us to focus only on the
temporary
a. Brought nothing into the world take nothing out
b. All that is here is temporal temporary
c. After you get it all what do with it? Chasing wind!
d. Remember the rich fool today is your last
3. Snares us & destroys us
a. James 1:13-15 pictures man & temptation
1) By own evil desire are dragged away fish on hook
2) Dangles bait in front of us & we bite (snared)
3) How many have been taken by get rich quick schemes?
b. Num.22:20-23 blinded Balaam to Gods guidance
c. 2 Chron.10:16-19 caused Rehaboam to lose most of kingdom
d. Eph.5:35 greedy not enter Gods kingdom
A. Use
your wealth to build spiritual treasures
1. Lk.16:10-12 how use determines what eternally trusted with
a. We are stewards it all belongs to God
b. Are we like this unjust steward? Concern just for self?
c. At least he tried to look out for his future do we?
2. 1 Tim.6:17,18 do good; be rich in good deeds
B. Voluntarily give to help others especially the poor
1. 2 Cor.9:6-11 God will richly bless so can give even more
2. Lk.6:38 give & it will be given to you
C. Learn
to trust God to provide your needs
1. Prov.3:5,6 trust with all your heart
2. Mt.6:33 seek 1st His kingdom & His righteousness