DOLLARS AND $ENSE
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, January 8, 2023
1. IT BUILDS YOUR FAITH.
2. IT STRENGTHENS YOUR VISION.
3. IT DEEPENS YOUR FELLOWSHIP.
4. IT LAYS A FOUNDATION FOR YOUR FUTURE.
5. IT EXPRESSES YOUR GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS TO US.
(1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17–19, NLT) “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. … Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
“The idealization of poverty is one of the most dangerous illusions of Christians in the contemporary world. Stewardship—which requires possessions and includes giving—is the true spiritual discipline in relationship to wealth.” –Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines, p 194
Money clothes the naked, feeds the hungry, cares for the needy, heals the sick, and most importantly helps people to find and become passionate followers of Christ.
1. God calls me be rich in generosity not to live rich.
2. God created me for ministry.
3. God creates in me a new heart.
GROWTHWORK
1. REMEMBER IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD.
(Psalm 24:1, NLT) “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”
2. LOVE YOUR WORK.
(Proverbs 22:29, Message) “Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.”
3. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT STEWARDSHIP.
(Psalm 34:11, NLT) “Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.”
4. LEARN TO SAY ENOUGH.
(Proverbs 30:15, NCV) “Greed has two daughters named ‘Give’ and ‘Give.’ There are three things that are never satisfied, really four that never say, ‘I’ve had enough!’:”
5. REMEMBER MY WORKS WILL BE JUDGED.
(1 Corinthians 3:13, NLT) “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”
Just Thinking
- Do I understand that God gives richly for our enjoyment?
- How could I simplify my lifestyle?
- Where am I serving?
- Have I taken Discovering My Ministry (Class 301)?
- Have I had my S.H.A.P.E. interview?
- How does my life reflect the life of Christ?
- How can I teach my children about good stewardship?