2. The Right View of MONEY

4. Rodriguez scores 10 year $252 million contract with the Rangers

6. The Seventh Commandment You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not take our neighbor’s money or property or get it by dishonest dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of income.

8. Money can be source of tremendous temptation. 1. Jesus specifically cited money as something can can master us.

9. Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You CANNOT serve both God and Money.” You cannot serve both God and Money.

10. 2. Two of the Ten Commandments refer to sins involving money or possessions. Do recall these are not merely “words to live by” these are the perfect demands of a perfect God.

11. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” “Coveting” is to want something you can’t have

12. 3. The Bible says many other sins can spring from a love of money.

13. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Notice all the “red flags”!!!

14. Money can serve as a tremendous tool. 1. We need to remember our role as God’s “business managers” (a.k.a. STEWARDS)

15. PSALM 50:9-12 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. a. EVERYTHING, including money, belongs to God. PSALM 50:9-12 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

16. "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. Matthew 25:14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. b. God has made us managers of many things -- including money.

17. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. FAITHFULNESS is what God requires.

18. Faithfulness comes from following God’s instructions.

19. 1. HONOR 1. We are to use it to HONOR Him. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the FIRSTFRUITS of all your crops.  What are “firstfruits”?  Why would “firstfruits” honor God as opposed to seconds, thirds, twenty-fifths etc.? First Part of our Wealth

20. 1. HONOR 1. We are to use it to HONOR Him. On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collection will have to be made. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collection will have to be made. Regular Giving

21. b. b. The LORD does not give us specific guidelines on how much we are to offer. The tithe (10%) was commanded in the Old Testament but not in the New. So … I have no New Testament command to give 10% -- perhaps I can go this way … if you opened my checkbook what would you think I love the most?

22. Exodus 25:2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. Willing Giving

23. 2 Corinthians 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. Generous Giving

24. 1 Corinthians 16:2b … a sum of money in keeping with his income, Proportional Giving

25. Matthew 6:31,33 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?‘ … 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Worry free Giving