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Presentation here]
The key principle, in handing money as a Christian,
is:
Mt 6:24
No-one
can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love
the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Jesus
gets to the nub here: Who is in control? Who is serving
who? Who is the master? Either we work for money, or money
works for us.
There
is a strong message from our culture that communicates an
alternative way of living:
[Your money and your life - Keith Tondeur]
Wallet
(prosperity) - happiness comes through acquiring certain
good things in life
New
Car (success) - happiness comes from having made it
Supermarket
Shelf (freedom of choice) - happiness comes from being
able to choose WHAT I want.
Credit
Card (instant gratification) - happiness comes from
getting what I want, WHEN I want it … why should I
wait?
So what
might some signs be that we have money out of perspective?
- have enough money, but buying all the time … (compulsion)
- worrying about saving or assets
- dishonesty in finances
- greed: own needs above the needs of others
- covetousness: wanting what others have
- self-indulgence: purchasing without regard
- attitude of financial superiority
- attitude of financial resentment
We learn
from the parable of the talents, that all we have is not
ours, but we are stewards on God's behalf. Christian Stewardship
is a commitment to …
" real care for one another
" living generously
" practical care for our environment
What can we do?
- Holy
Spirit is our teacher
- What
we feed is what grows!
Phil
4:11-12
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want.
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