3. If a person gets his attitude toward money straightened out, then almost all other areas of his life will be straightened out. (Billy Graham)

4. Being a disciple of Jesus includes the duty of being a steward—one who manages another’s property or financial affairs. With Jesus as Lord and Master, everything belongs to him and what I have is only entrusted for me to manage.

5. This plain truth motivates me to be productive, protects me from greed and reminds me to be accountable. In the Gospels, Jesus teaches through parables and by direct statements on the stewardship of money and possessions.

6. Guard against Greed! (Luke 12:13-21)

7. 1. Guard against greed! (Luke 12:13-21) a.The man in the parable became rich through proper planning and productivity. b.God calls the rich man a fool not because he is rich but because he “stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God,” v. 21.

8. 1. Guard against greed! (Luke 12:13-21) c.When God’s interests and eternal values are ignored, the pursuit of wealth breeds greed.

9. Store up Heavenly Treasures! (Matthew 6:19-21)

10. 2. Store up heavenly treasures! (Matthew 6:19-21) a.“Treasures in heaven” are really treasures on earth that also count for eternity because they are used to please God and promote His kingdom.

11. 2. Store up heavenly treasures! (Matthew 6:19-21) b.“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” [The reverse is also true: Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also]. Your heart is revealed by the priorities you set.

12. 2. Store up heavenly treasures! (Matthew 6:19-21) c.Do you give priority to what God deems right and promotes his kingdom?

13. Serve one Master! (Luke 16:1-13)

14. 3. Serve one Master! (Luke 16:1-13) a.In this parable, the dishonest steward was commended for his practical wisdom (shrewdness), v. 8.

15. 3. Serve one Master! (Luke 16:1-13) b.When Money was his master, he was dishonest; when his master (God) demanded an accounting, he became wise and planned his courses of action.

16. 3. Serve one Master! (Luke 16:1-13) c.Wise people use worldly material money to serve heavenly spiritual interests, v. 9.

17. Live to Give! (Luke 6:38)

18. 4. Live to Give! (Luke 6:38) a.Jesus watches as the rich and a poor widow gave offerings and said “this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others,” Mark 12:41-44.

19. 4. Live to Give! (Luke 6:38) b.Jesus endorses tithing but cites other important spiritual values besides tithing, Luke 11:42. I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. (C.S. Lewis)

20. 4. Live to Give! (Luke 6:38) c.Jesus commands giving to Caesar his dues (taxes) and giving to God His tithes, Matthew 22:21.

21. Perspectives on Wealth and Giving POSSESSING wealth is not WRONG. USING wealth may be WRONG. TRUSTING in wealth is always WRONG.

22. Perspectives on Wealth and Giving 1. I share with God when I want to. 2. I share with God because I have to. 3. It’s all God’s, and He shares with me!