What do you think are God’s holy purposes for wealth? How can wealth develop our practical holiness?

What is holiness? What is the relationship between holiness and happiness? What part does worship play in personal holiness? What is the relationship between holiness and separation from people? Separation from sin?

What is the relationship between wealth… …and ???

Wealth = all economic resources God gives to us.

Our POSITIONAL fact of holiness… and Our PRACTICAL acts of holiness.

Hebrews 10:14 “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

ASSUMPTIONS 1. God measures a person’s wealth, not by money, but by heart. 2. Money is inherently neither evil nor good. 3. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

4. We all have a responsibility to develop better stewardship, regardless of income. 5. Compared to history and the rest of humanity, we’re ALL rich here.

What are God’s holy PURPOSES for wealth? 1. Wealth is a reward for work.

Proverbs 12:11-- Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. Proverbs 14:23-- All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 28:19-- Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. Our enemies: Romans 12:20, 21--“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. B. The weak—Acts 20:33-35 33) I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34) You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35) In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. C. Those who can’t repay—Luke 14 12) Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13) But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14) and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. D. The poor—2 Corinthians 9:9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;     their righteousness endures forever.”

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. E. Those who request our help—Mt. 5:42 42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. F. Our families—I Timothy 5:8 8) Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

2. Wealth allows us to BLESS OTHERS just like our holy God does. G. God’s family—Matthew 25:45ff– “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46) It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47) Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. Galatians 6:10—Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

3. Wealth shared can help us experience JOY 2 Corinthians 9:7 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.

4. Wealth shared can keep us from “foolish and harmful desires” that lead to “ruin and destruction” rather than contentment. I Timothy 6:6-8 “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.”

Luke 16—Parable of the Shrewd Manager 5. Wealth is one of God’s means for making friendships that have eternal consequences. Luke 16—Parable of the Shrewd Manager 9) I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10) “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11) So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 

6. Wealth is one of God’s tests of good stewardship of His resources. Luke 19:11-27—Parable of the 10 Minas 

7. Wealth enables us to express the depth of our worship and gratitude. Luke 7:36-50—Jesus anointed by the sinful woman at the Pharisee’s house.

Wealth helps us support human government. Romans 13:7—Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Matthew 17:27– “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

9. Wealth given enables us to lay up eternal treasure in heaven…while fixing our affections more on God. Luke 12:32-34—“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  33) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 19:16-22—Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Giving wealth can be a statement of our faith in God and His Word. Luke 21:1-4 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3) “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4) All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Giving wealth can be a statement of our faith in God and His Word. 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously

Giving wealth can be a statement of our faith in God and His Word. 2 Corinthians 9— 10) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

WHAT DO WE GET FOR $165,000? >ALL new HVAC ducting >Fire suppression sprinklers on the main floor >New LED lighting throughout >New security and fire alarm system >Updated bathrooms (3) & plumbing >New entryways, foyer and carpeting >New drop ceiling grid and tiles >Parking lot sealing and striping >Exterior and interior painting & signage >Roof repair