1. The Christian and Money (5)

2. The Sinful Use of

3. Examples Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Matt. 26:14-15 While Judas later regretted it, the damage was done. He hanged himself Sins of greed, bribery, complicity to murder and falsehood

4. Examples Joseph sold into slavery for 20 shekels of silver Gen 37:28 The price of a slave Sins of greed, betrayal, lies, selfishness, hatred.

5. Examples Balak bribed Balaam to curse Israel Num. 22:7 Balaam, while forbidden to curse Israel ( 22:18, 24:13 ) found a way around it ( cf. Num. 25 ) Sins of greed, bribery, deception, duplicity. Balak also guilty of sin

6. Examples Delilah was bribed to defeat Samson Judges 16:4-5, 18 Philistines Bribed Delilah with HUGE sum of money to find Samson’s strength Sins of greed, bribery, deception, duplicity cruelty. Philistines also guilty!

7. Examples Haman offered to pay for the destruction of the Jews Esther 3:9-11, 4:7 Haman convinces the king to annihilate the Jews for 10,000 talents of silver Sins of hatred, cruelty, “blood money”, & arrogance.

8. Examples Abimelech conspires to be king Judges 9:4 Abimelech wanting to rule, hires worthless men to murder his 70 brothers. Sins of pride, cruelty, “blood money”, bribery, power-hungry

9. Examples Elders charge usury Nehemiah 5:7 In times of Nehemiah, the wealthy were taking advantage of brethren for personal profit Violated Lev. 25:36-37, Deut. 23:19-20 Sins of greed, oppression, usury, law breaking, etc.

10. The Sinful Use of Money

11. Sinful Use of Money Greed, Covetousness, love of… Most common sinful attitude Greed – the strong desire to attain wealth and hold onto it. 1 Tim. 6:9-10 – “the love of money”; Eccl. 5:10, James 5:1-5

12. Sinful Use of Money Greed, Covetousness, love of… Covetousness – a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have. Rom. 1:28, 1 Cor. 5:10-11, 6:10 Eph. 5:3-5, Col. 3:5 Heb. 13:5

13. Sinful Use of Money Stealing Taking that which belongs to another Exodus 20:15, Deut. 5:19 Rom. 2:21, 13:9 Eph. 4:28

14. Sinful Use of Money Gambling Not merely taking a chance 2 or more parties wagering in a game of chance in hopes of winning what others wagered

15. Sinful Use of Money Gambling Involves: Covetousness Principles of labor – Eph. 4:28, 2 Thess. 3:10 Poor stewardship – Rom. 12:1-2 Associated with worldly and evil practices – 2 Cor. 6:17

16. Sinful Use of Money Going into debt We live in a credit driven society Rom. 13:8 Consider: Prov. 22:7, 1 Cor. 7:23 Is your debt hindering you Is your debt causing stress, problems, etc. Is it materialistic? NOT paying debts – Psa.37:21

17. Sinful Use of Money Usury Charging high or excessive interest for a loan Was absolutely forbidden in Israel! Condemned – Prov. 28:8, 22:16 Does this describe our credit industry?

18. Sinful Use of Money Usury Charging high or excessive interest for a loan Was absolutely forbidden in Israel! Condemned – Prov. 28:8, 22:16 Does this describe our credit industry?

19. Sinful Use of Money Exploiting the poor Simply taking advantage of the disadvantage with your resources Condemned – Mark 12:40, Jas. 5:1-4, 2:5-7, etc. Clearly such is driven by greed and materialism

20. Sinful Use of Money Trusting in riches Job 31:24-28 – if Job was trusting in silver he deserved God’s wrath (though he was wrong about the source) Luke 12:20 – the rich fool! Matt. 6:19, 16:26

21. Sinful Use of Money Materialism The pursuit of things Refusing to work, Laziness 2 Thess. 3:10 – if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat Prov. 18:9, 26:14-16

22. Sinful Use of Money Pretending to be rich Prov. 13:7 – living beyond one’s means. Deceitful and worldly! Not paying taxes, cheating Rom. 13:1, 5-7, Matt. 22:21 God demand’s it!

23. May we seek to be unspotted from the world, Jas. 1:27