Sermon Notes—“Transformational Faith - Faith that Gives"
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
17As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
“The rich in this present age” He’s speaking to us! By the world’s standards we’re rich.
Money only has significance in this life.
It’s possible to be both RICH and POOR.
20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
“Charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches”
Having money is not the MEASURE of a man or a woman.
By its nature wealth is volatile and uncertain. You CHOOSE(and have CHOSEN!) what to set your hopes on.
4Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
“But on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
God is the true provider of everything. God wants you to enjoy what you have.
If you don’t enjoy what you have THAT'S your CHOICE.
19And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share”
If you are a born-again believer, your new nature is GENEROUS like your Father.
We are MANAGERS of God’s wealth, not OWNERS.
8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
24One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
“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.”
God rewards faithful stewardship of His wealth.
Money has potential like a SEED.
If invested for the kingdom, God guarantees DIVIDENDS both now and into eternity.
10“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Faith that gives financially: Believes God is the true provider of wealth and can be trusted to meet our needs.
Believes wealth carries an
OBLIGATION to use it for good. Believes giving is an
INVESTMENT in eternity.
Giving is a spiritual issue.