T HE N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH C HURCH F INANCES

I NTRODUCTION This problem must first be solved by the individual. Money is not inherently bad. Its character depends upon the character of him that possesses it. The danger is loving, trusting in it, and making the wrong use of it.

I NTRODUCTION Wealth within itself does not constitute a vice any more than poverty constitutes a virtue. Allowing money to develop the wrong attitude of heart and failing to consecrate its power to the glory and honor of God is the thing the scriptures condemn and warn against.

T HE W ARNING I LLUSTRATED The rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-30 Man lavishing upon himself all the luxuries his wealth could provide. Denying the crumbs from his table to the poor, diseased, helpless beggar at his gate. One who loves what money will buy, so that he refuses the beggar at the gate cannot be saved.

T HE W ARNING I LLUSTRATED The rich young ruler. – Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:7-22; Luke 18: Here is young man who had conquered the appetites of his flesh to the extent of living a clean moral life. But had not conquered his heart. He loved his possessions more than he loved God. Wanted money more than eternal life.

T HE W ARNING I LLUSTRATED The rich fool. – Luke 12:13-21 This is the pitiful scene of a man who foolishly thought he could secure his future by heaping together material possessions. He spent his whole life in the task, and when he thought he was secure he discovered he had made no preparation at all. – Psalm 39:6

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL The justice of God does not reward riches. “Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor ; For they are all the work of His hands.” {Job 34:19}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Riches cannot provide for the soul. “Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him.” {Psalm 49:6,7}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Riches cannot provide for the soul. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” {Matthew 16:26}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Riches cannot enter eternity. “Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away ; His glory shall not descend after him.” {Psalm 49:16,17}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL A good name rather to be chosen than great riches. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” {Proverbs 22:1}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL A grievous evil to keep riches. “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.” {Ecclesiastes 5:12,13}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Set not your heart on their increase. “Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them.” {Psalm 62:10}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Set not your heart on their increase. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” {Matthew 6:19-21}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL To trust in riches will cause one to fall. “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.” {Proverbs 11:28}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Increasing wealth causes one to be “ lifted up.” “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,' Yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god.” {Ezekiel 28:2}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Increasing wealth causes one to be “ lifted up.” “With your wisdom and your understanding You have gained riches for yourself, And gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches.” {Ezekiel 28:4,5}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Deceitfulness chokes out the word of God “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” {Matthew 13:22}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Deceitfulness chokes out the word of God “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” {Luke 8:14}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL Those minded to be rich subject to danger. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” {1 Timothy 6:9,10}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL The duty of the rich. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” {1 Timothy 6:17-19}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL The difficulty of the rich being saved. Trust in their riches “And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God.” {Luke 18:24}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL What the rich man was told to do to be saved. “So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” {Luke 18:22}

W ARNINGS IN G ENERAL What the rich man did to be saved. “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor ; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold. And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.” {Luke 19:8,9}

T HE R EMEDY Lay up treasures in heaven. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” {Matthew 6:20,21}

T HE R EMEDY Rich in good works. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.” {1 Timothy 6:17,18}

T HE R EMEDY Trust in God—not riches. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.” {1 Timothy 6:17,18}

T HE R EMEDY Be faithful as stewards. “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” {Luke 16:11}

T HE R EMEDY Abound in richness of liberality. “That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.” {2 Corinthians 8:2}

T HE R EMEDY The example of Moses. “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” {Hebrews 11:25,26}

T HE R EMEDY Beware of covetousness. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” {Colossians 3:5}

T HE R EMEDY Beware of covetousness. “And He said to them, Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” {Luke 12:15}