The Christian and His Finances B

I watched blood.

Then it is a question of attitude isn't what your attitude is toward your money. You know we's money is such a powerful thing in our lives we deal with all the time you realize that you will never are doing normal service and without money. It's always a part of your life how important it is that you have the right to make a lot of money. The fact is many people are taught to see money as the end goal. The greatest prize. Of course, as a Christian you should know that money is important, but it is not your greatest treasure. So how you keep money in its proper place. Find out today on grace to you as John MacArthur shows you how the Lord wants you to use the resources he gives you this practical look at finances is part of John MacArthur study titled God's plan for giving and with that, here's today's lesson does the Christian have the right to possess money. Let's look first of all, that this thought. All money belongs to God.

In Haggai 28 it says this, the silver and the gold are mine in Deuteronomy 818.

The Bible says, but you shall remember the Lord your God lesson for it is he who is giving you power to make wealth. Notice two things. All money is God's. Secondly, God grants to men the power to get that which is his in terms of wealth or money so that we see.

First of all, the right to possess money. Second point the way to regard money you say will now that I have it how I look at it well. Money can be a great blessing and the key to it is what you think of it that's right your cereals are well.

If I had $1 million. I know you wouldn't know the question is not what you do with a million. The question is what are you doing with the 10 in your pocket that's a question that's a question is a well I would support a missionary I would do all 510. What are you doing with the tenure path or the dollar no Ecclesiastes 5 1011 listen to this. He who loves money will not be satisfied with money when good things increase those who consume them increase the more you have, the more stores you go to the more you buy. So what is the advantage to their owners, except to look at it and that something one tradition says the only advantage of having money is to watch it slip through your fingers. The more you have, the more goes know is not a question of having more and doing more with it. It is just the question of what you're doing with what you have listen rich people have more problems will how do we regard money. Well let me tell you the wrong way to regard it and that is to love it for the apostle Paul said in first Timothy 610, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and limitation don't say money is a root of all evil. You hear that all-time monies were of all evil, no, no, no, it says the love of money and you can have a lot of love and you have none of it. 11 the love of money, not money. Money is moral. I watched blood. Then it is a question of attitude isn't it is a question of attitude what your attitude is toward your money. You know we's money is such a powerful thing in our lives we deal with all the time you realize that you will never are doing normal circumstances without money. It's always a part of your life every time you turn around, you're dealing with how important it is that you have the right attitude toward it. Look with me for a minute. First Timothy chapter 6 and let's just pick up a few thoughts there that are so very important verse six. I think this is basic talk about attitude, but godliness with contentment is great gain godliness and contentment go together boy when you're happy with what you have.

That really goes together with being a godly person, for in verse seven, you brought nothing into the world and is certainly not I carry anything out. So having food and raiment you to be content. Some people love money. Hebrews 13 five says, be content with such things as you have verse nine. If you love money or to find is gonna bring all kinds of problems. Verse nine says they that will be rich that's tantamount to loving money boys are going to get rich one where another and I've even heard people say well I'm going to get. I want to make a million slight give it to the Lord, don't make a million for the Lord, the Lord is not poor. He doesn't need your million and don't cloak your own desire to be a rich man and that kind of a guys Bible says, seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and then you let the Lord worry about whether he gives you million set your heart out. To be honest and do your best and of God reward you with a million you don't write what he says here but they that will be rich.

In other words, the matter pursues riches fall into temptation and a snare and the many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and loss tradition means loss when a person loves money he's useless to God. That's right, he is useless to God. Jesus put it simply, this way you ready for this. You can't serve God and Mammon knew what Mammon is money. You can't serve God and money for money. Aiken brought the fee on Israel's army and death to himself and his family from money to light a betrayed Sampson and ultimately slaughtered thousands for money analyzes the fire became the first hypocrites in the church and God executed them as a testimony against their misuse of money in their deceit for money.

Judas sold Jesus not very good company for money lovers. What is loving money lead people to give you some things are just one jot down John down loving money leads people to one forget God.

To forget God. It was an interesting part of the Proverbs. The Proverbs written by Solomon as you know, but the 30th chapter of Proverbs written by men named Edgar AG you are in anger watched Solomon and Solomon was loaded and he was rich beyond belief and he got trapped in this riches thing and he wanted more and more sick at marrying these foreign wives know to bring in more treasure and more treasure and more treasure and he brought Israel into idolatry and fouled up everything and ruined his life in an egg or looked at him and he watched him and this is what he said. Proverbs 30 versus eight nice is God, give me neither poverty nor riches.

Feed me with the food that is my portion just a balance. Why lest I be full. In other words, if I'm rich and denies the end say who is the Lord Edgar system can be too much.

I'll tend to deny you all become totally self sufficient bases though can be too little, or lest I'll be in want. No steel and profane your name just my portion that's all love of money can lead us to forget God. Secondly, can lead us to stop trusting God, nor the great dangers and having money as you begin to trust in it right to say hey everything is right my life and got a bank account buildup with one word about anything happening why. Well, I got money for a rainy day know Whitman I Whitman is that what it's all about trust in the Lord. Money can cause us to stop trusting God. Job 3134 and 38. Listen to this.

Listen if I have put my trust in money, if my happiness depends on wealth it would mean that ID denied the God of heaven. If I depend on my money that I deny God. Listen to Proverbs 1128 trust in your money and you shall fall one transitions this trust in your money and down you go, the rest of the versus trust in the Lord your flourish like a tree you're in first Timothy six verse 17 charge them that are rich in this age that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in whom the living God charge them that are rich access. Don't be proud.

Think your big stuff because you have money flaunt your riches don't trust in your riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy boy if you've got it. He gave it to you. Don't you forget him for it. And incidentally, verse 18. He says that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share this kind of interesting. The more money people have, the less money they're willing to part with the thing to do is lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may hold on eternal life. They'll start looking toward eternal values, while 1/3 thing love of money can cause us not only to forget God and stop trusting God, but to be deceived.

When we love money. Satan really uses that to deceive us.

You know, in the parable of the sower and the seed in Mark 419, listen to what it says and and this was shown exit are the seed sown among thorns member this the word was sown among thorns.

It says in the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word boy Satan can be so deceiving, we think we have money we think we have everything forth the love of money can bring a man or woman to the place where he actually compromises biblical instruction here thought about your price. What is your price your thought about that. Will you sell out for. It's been said, every man has his price. I pray God that is a so in my life I prayed is nine years. Somebody said when money speaks the truth. The silent we give illustration. Some people would sell out for position. There are some people on the job, who, if they could get a promotion would lie in their Christians deeply sure something would sell out for popularity. Some people mute the testimony of Jesus, so they won't be unpopular that's selling out what your price of your analyzer.

Because, listen, love, and whatever your price is. Be sure Satan's will to get there to make you an offer at that price. So be ready.

Some people would sell out for election was some people would sell out for the body beautiful.

Some people would sell out for golf or hunting for a new car what your price I hope you don't have a price.

I hope you don't compromise biblical principles to make a sale that sin. Hope you can be bought. I hope you don't compromise the testimony of Jesus Christ to gain a promotion you're selling out for the love of money. I hope you have a price.

I hope you are priceless you say will John what is the point at which I sell out. It's this it's when Matthew 633 stops operating say what 633 say seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added when you start seeking something besides the kingdom and the righteousness of God is sold out. Be honest honest as honest can be in every single way possible leaving of the fund.

Loving money can lead you not only to forget God, stop trusting God be deceived and sell out, but it can lead you to rest on unstable foundations, you start trusting money.

Boy, and you are trusting something that just passes fast. Some people had that experience lately. Loss of money.

Proverbs 23, four and five was noted.

Do not wear yourself to gain riches leave from consideration of that. Listen when you set your eyes on it, it's gone for wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle. It flies toward heaven or don't put your stocking in money, don't put all of your foundations and the passing well.

Loving money can do other things he can make us ungrateful. The kid in Deuteronomy 18 he says, hey, hey got this I made you rich. He's got me.

Deuteronomy 1812, 14, you forgot me I'm the one love of money can make you proud.

Listen to Proverbs 2811 rich men are conceited us to the point to make you proud. Some mouse for the money can cause you to rob God. It can cause you to rob God you know when you love the money and you want for yourself. You know what you do you steal from God. Malachi 38 says this Will a man rob God we said never do that, who had never sealingly forgot how I ever get into his treasure house 107 look in your pocket. That's his treasure as your Christian will a man rob God you rob me how we run God and ties and offerings you Back what was mine. Yeah when you love money rob God no summons when you love money usually rob others to say what anybody at first John 317. Whosoever hath this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how do all of the love of God in him.

You rub your brother so you see the whole issue with money is chewed in the wrong attitude is to love it the right attitude is this is God's. All of it and I am a steward of every penny and every dime should go for his glory to close with the third point the way to use money. First of all recognize it's a stewardship first Corinthian's for two. Moreover, brother, and it is required of stewards that amount be found trustworthy. Something about it during your lifetime. God entrusted off a lot of money to you if you started earning about $15,000 in your 20 in order to your 60 you've earned a lot of money for that over half $1 million. What if you could look back on your half $1 million and say you know all half-million dollars was used purposefully all not all directly for the Lord's work, but purposefully to meet my needs to be available to the spirit, when it be great I wish I could recover some money as you call her. I wish I could as a principal behind that it's this principle.

Second, Corinthian's 85, Paul said regarding those Christians in Macedonia listen to what he said. They first gave their own selves to the Lord S will begin to give yourself to the Lord will take care the rest. Now course, the Lord does want you to give to those in need, your brother and sister in need, want you to give to the work of Jesus Christ and you auto investor dollars for God or gods and get the best return. You want to be careful where you put it, let me add this thought. Listen. Giving is not God's way of raising money there if it isn't giving is God's way of raising children. God doesn't need your money, but every time you give sacrificially you give a little of your selfishness away and that's good that's good. And when you give others a blessed God is praised and you get prayed for. That's all.

And second, millions nine, say, John.

Where should I give it the part that I'm going to give other than my needs and the margin I keep in and the things that I have in this world that God provides for me while I give it well. The Bible talks about giving to the church, you know, in acts chapter 4 the Bible says that they came and they laid their money at the apostles feet and the apostles then gave it to those in need.

Ever since the formation of the church the money of the believers was designed to come into the church and the church leaders would then in turn invested in eternity as they saw the need best now that doesn't mean you're not to supply another's need without going to the church. Of course you are. Your supply the need when it arises, but also and seemingly the dominant thing in the early church was to bring it to the church and they would give it. I think that's basic we should really be sensitive to what God is doing in our local church in the mission field.

You may want to give your money directly to missions. That's great wherever determine where God is going to get the best return and give it but one of the areas is in the church and this is important, and in acts 1127 it says in these days came, profits from Jerusalem to Antioch.

There stood up one of the mega bus signified by the spirit that there should be great famine throughout all the world. Then the disciples every man according to his ability, determined to send relief under the brother who dwelt in Judea, which they did here was sensitivity to need air about a need and they had a margin and they said here will all give according to our own ability sensitive to needs time to time you hear of Anita missionary will hear of Anita brother who was having need in his own life and you want to go and supplies need maybe Assisi and neighbor Eliza need supplies need whatever giving should be in response to need it should also be in response to God's command, which is not specifically directed at need, but at systematic purposeful giving example it says in segment is 97. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give in other words, between you and God you to determine that you're going to give you say will how I do it first Corinthian 16 to on the first day of the week lay by and store as the Lord has prospered. In other words, bring it and give it to those in responsibility in the church and they will invested for eternity. So your giving is to be yes.

In response to need yes also systematically purposefully weekly in giving it to the church to be spent as day under the spirits direction. See fit me add this your giving should be sacrificial people always say John how much should I give I don't know how much you should get a screen. You and God. I give a hint. Zaki is when he was saved gave 50% for a starter. I don't think that's the norm. But I'll tell you one thing, it sure shoots to 10% theory. I do not believe you will find tithing taught in the New Testament every time the New Testament has an opportunity where it could interject the 10% make sure it never does. Because this is law. This is what grace. Besides, if you check the Old Testament tithing carefully at least 23% a year and up.in now when you give then it should be in response to need, but it should also be purposefully and systematically.

Both of those are important. Both are very important and it should be sacrificial. David said I just love this and this goes to my mind all the time. I will not give the Lord that which costs me nothing. I will not give the Lord that which costs me nothing.

Then your giving should also be secret and humble. Matthew six all the Pharisees allowed to go down say I'm giving this much on their big figure upon a board.

He says just be quiet and subdued and humble and let it be between you and God. That's the spirit that's the way to give take heed that you do not your alms before men to be seen by them.

Otherwise you have no reward of your father who is in heaven. If you give for the sake of men, then that's it. Will you get there praise and not God's. When you do your alms don't sound the trumpet and imagine that that Mary comes I'm getting say is that hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets. They may have glory from men.

When you do your alms. Don't even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

In other words, make it a secret and illustrates it by hyperbole. Don't even let one hand know what the others doing that so secret to be in your alms will be in secret in your and your father who sees in secret will reward you openly. I like that I like to close with this. I must say something I think is important. Proper handling of your finances is the key to watch it fruit spiritually in your life. Are you ready for this. Luke 1610. Look at it with me and this is a closing Luke 1610. Well this is really powerful.

Luke 1610. This is Jesus, he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. And he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in the much listen if you don't handle your 10 right you would handle a million), I was in the next verse.

If, therefore, you have not been faithful in the unrighteous money. Listen, if you haven't handled your money right who will commit to your trust. True riches did you hear that some of us say I don't know what I don't have a ministry I don't know why I don't see so much fruit in my life. Listen, if you aren't faithful with money. Jesus said do you think I'm going to commit to you souls verse 12. If you have not been faithful in that which is another man's if you haven't been faithful with God's money. As a steward, who is going to give you that which is your own. You think if you haven't been faithful to minister God's that God will give you your own ministry you know that there are an awful lot of men out of the pastorate today and out of the ministry, for the simple and only reason they couldn't handle money and God would never commit souls on this right. If you don't handle finances correctly.

God will never commit and you a ministry. He will trust this is grace to you with John MacArthur thanks for tuning in today. John has been grace to use featured speaker since 1969.

He's also Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary in the Los Angeles area and his current study is showing you God's plan for giving John today.

You talked about the struggle that we all face to be content with what we have and of course when money is tied in the bills pile up or when an unexpected illness or an accident turns family finances upside down knowing how to trust Christ and find peace is not easy even for mature believers family life is full of trouble in trouble distorts our spiritual view, particularly if we are not sounding doctrine, particularly if were not strong in faith.

Yeah, if you're strong in faith, you say well this is a trial. This is an issue, but the Lord will sustain me.

If you're if you're faithful believer in your faith is strong in him. You're gonna be okay. You're going to be for mature you're going of unifying peace in the middle of the storm and you're going to know the Lord's going to provide a way out, and you're going to do everything you can to be faithful to him but to me that's the that's the sort of top of the food chain right people who are strong in faith and and find peace even in the midst of trials those of the mature ones but for all the rest of us who are saying while I struggle with issues in life, and I find it hard to get through some of these financial issues that I face I want to help you. There's a book that I want to provide for you called found God's peace. That's right found God's peace will send it free to anyone who asks. Okay it it addresses the issue of anxiety. How you can be overwhelmed with issues then become anxious and how you can set that anxiousness aside and replace it with faith and hope and trust this a little book 90 pages. It helps you not get trapped in despair and fear. It's a quick read but believe me, like everything else this ministry provides.

It's loaded with biblical principles, biblical truth that God has designed to help you overcome uncertainty, defeat, worry, fear them literally in the midst of a trial experience freedom from anxiety and worry. Some of the chapters are avoiding anxiety through prayer, testing your care on God having peace in every circumstance and there's a wonderful section on Psalms for the anxious.

So if you or someone you know is struggling with worry and anxiety.

You'll want to get a copy of this little book densely packed with biblical truth. Again, the title found God's peace. It's loaded with Psalms for the anxious will send you a copy of found God's peace, free of charge.

All you have to do is get in touch with us. Let us know you want to copy call, email, go to our website of right today. Yes.

And this is a great reference tool that you can turn to whenever you're tempted to worry about money or anything else for your free copy of found God's peace get in touch today go to our website Jide TY.org or call us toll-free 855 found God's peace unpack some of the most powerful verses in the Bible on defeating anxiety. If you're worried about the future of our country or the latest health crisis or you feel burned out for any number get a copy of this little book and see how God's truth can crush your fear again found God's peace is our gift to you.

Go to our website Jide TY.org or call 855 grace and friend. While your online dig into the spiritual tools available@jidety.org. One suggestion for daily devotionals written by John they give you an easy schedule to follow for daily Bible reading and explain many helpful and challenging passages. You can also listen to John's latest messages from his home church. Those Bible study resources and any other are available@jidety.org now for John MacArthur and the entire grace to you staff on Phil Johnson. Thanks for spending some time with us today and be here tomorrow for John's continuing study on God's plan for giving it's another 30 minutes of unleashing God's true one verse at a time on racing.

You