GENEROUS LIVING Life Transforming Money Wisdom Glenn Maloney April 19, 2015

We all have God given desires for - Significance Security

The significance and security we experience is driven by our - Perspectives about money Practices with money

Significance and Security Since much of life relates to money, what we think about money and what we do with it will either - Enhance or Diminish Significance and Security

Jesus illustrated this (Matthew 25:14-29) - 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Jesus illustrated this (Matthew 25:14-29) - 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

What will be the source of our perspectives about and practices with money - God’s Word Or ?????

What will be the source of our perspectives about and practices with money - “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). But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

Significance and security is not found in money or possessions, but only in God A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump;  a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree (Proverbs 11:28, MSG). God’s name is a place of protection—good people can run there and be safe. The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it (Proverbs 18:10-11,MSG).

Since God has much to say about money, the degree to which we enjoy significance and security will be related to how well we align our - Perspectives about money Practices with money with God’s Word

Uses of Money Spending (Current Lifestyle - Needs, Wants & Debt) Saving (Emergencies & Future Lifestyle) Sharing (Giving)

Typical Money Priorities 1) Spending (Current Lifestyle - Needs, Wants & Debt) 2) Saving (Emergencies & Future Lifestyle) 3) Sharing (Giving)

Uses of Money

Biblical Money Priorities 1) Sharing (Giving) 2) Saving (Emergencies & Future Lifestyle) 3) Spending (Current Lifestyle - Needs, Wants & Debt)

Share Generously Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best (Proverbs 3:9, MSG) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, NIV). Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, NASB). Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, MSG). Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:18, NIV).

Save Consistently The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets (Proverbs 21:20 TLB). The Joseph Method (Genesis 41:15-36). There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are—ants—frail as they are, get plenty of food in for the winter (Proverbs 30:24, MSG).

Spend Modestly 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). Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are (Luke 12:15, TLB). Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty (Proverbs 21:5, TLB). But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:6-8, NIV). Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other (Romans 13:8, MSG).

Uses of Money Give, save and live off of the rest!

Practicing Biblical Financial Priorities Leads To - Greater Security Less Worry Heightened Significance Enhanced Impact Deeper Peace More Contentment Multiplied Resources Eternal Blessings

Live Generously Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind (Luke 6:36, MSG). Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity (Luke 6:38, MSG).

GENEROUS LIVING Life Transforming Money Wisdom

GENEROUS LIVING Life Transforming Money Wisdom Question for reflection – What are one or two steps I need to take to better implement Biblical financial priorities in my life?