INTRODUCTION:
A man went in to see a banker about a loan.
Banker: How much would you like to borrow?
Man: One Million Dollars
Banker: That’s a lot of money.
Man: Is that a problem? I could go talk with a bank that has more money if I need to.
Banker: On no it’s no problem at all. We loan large sums of money all the time.
Man: That’s good.
Banker: Sir what do you intend to use as collateral?
Man: Collateral? What’s that?
Banker: That’s property or other assets you use as a guarantee for the loan. Should you default on the loan, the bank would be legally entitled to the collateral to pay off the loan.
Man: Oh, well I’m not giving you any collateral. You can’t have MY STUFF it belongs to me.
Banker: I see. Tell me sir what do you intend to do with this money?
Man: That’s none of your business what I do with my money. I’m going to be a millionaire and I’ll do as I please with my money.
Banker: I see. Sir what type of work do you do?
Man: Work?
Banker: Yes, where are you employed?
Man: Oh I don’t need a job cuz I’m going to be a millionaire, so I don’t work.
Banker: I see, so what do you do all day?
Man: I do as I please. If I feel like sleeping in I do, if I want to watch TV then I do that. As a millionaire I can do anything I want to.
Banker: I see, sir how do you intend to repay this loan?
Man: What do you mean repay the loan?
Banker: Well you see sir; you have an obligation to give the money back to the bank with interest.
Man: Interest? What’s that?
Banker: That’s the percentage rate we charge you for having the loan from the bank. It’s the amount you pay the bank for the loan
Man: Oh well I’m not going to pay you anything for my money and I’m not going to give any of it back either. My million dollars is for me not you.
Banker: I see; sir we have a name for people like you.
Man: Yea I know—millionaire!
Banker: No sir, you’re a thief.
Man: Why I’m not a criminal! I’ve never been so insulted in all my life; I’m taking my business elsewhere!
So do you think this guy will ever get his loan and be a millionaire? One thing is for sure, if he ever does get the money at least he’s an honest thief!
This morning we are going to continue our series of messages from the book of Proverbs “Wisdom for Right Living.” So far we have looked at six keys to having wisdom for our daily lives, and today we will look at the seventh key – Financial Wisdom. Let’s do a quick review of keys #1-6 and then move right into key #7.
Key #1: Start with God; Fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the Lord is active; our lives will be changed from the inside out.
Key #2: Learn wisdom from those who fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:8-19)
Don’t go it alone. Surround yourself with those who fear the Lord.
Key #3: Answer wisdom’s call; wisdom is found in our daily choices. (Proverbs 1:20-21)
Jesus gives us wisdom in our daily routine; He reveals the mind of God for our lives. Wisdom is not earned it is practiced daily.
Key #4: Remember the Law of the Harvest; consequences follow your actions. (Proverbs 1:22-33)
Key #5: Let authentic love lead you everyday; make love your guide and your motive. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Love should be used only in the context of relationships; we should express our love for God and other people—not things.
Don’t limit who you love. Love should be given to anyone with the capacity to return love—that’s everyone.
Key #6: Depend fully upon God alone; in everything rely upon God with absolute confidence and hope. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
Key # 7: Wealth and possessions are not ours to own; everything belongs to God and is ours on loan.
OUR FOCUS: OWNERSHIP VERSUS STEWARDSHIP
• Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV)
[7] "Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: [8] Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. [9] Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ’Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
How many of us would be willing to make this our prayer?
Prayer of integrity. Two of the ways you will be recognized as a person of Godly character is through what you say and how you use your money.
We don’t want to make this kind of specific request. We’ll pray, “Lord, make me like Jesus,” but we keep living the same way. What is one area of your life God would want to change? Are you ready to make that your prayer?
Why pray about money and possessions? This prayer understands the difference between ownership and stewardship.
We understand ownership; “MINE!”
We don’t understand stewardship today. It is difficult to practice something we don’t understand!
What do you think about when it comes to being a good steward of your finances?
1. We think stewardship is just about giving tithes and offerings. “Stewardship Sundays” in the church will often focus on our giving to the local church; it may be a special campaign to give toward a new building or other project.
2. We also think about stewardship as being a good manager of our possessions. We try to make wise decisions about the use of our finances and we take care of our things.
Stewardship involves our giving, and it involves being a good manager, but it’s more than that.
Stewardship is accountability to God for our finances.
We don’t own anything. Everything belongs to God.
• Psalm 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
[2] for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. (NIV)
• 1 Corinthians10:26 (NIV)
"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it."
• Job 1:21 (NIV)
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Matthew 25:14-30 (MsgB)
"It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. [15] To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. [16] Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. [17] The second did the same. [18] But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.
[19] "After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. [20] The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. [21] His master commended him: ’Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
[22] "The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. [23] His master commended him: ’Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’
[24] "The servant given one thousand said, ’Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. [25] I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’
[26] "The master was furious. ’That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? [27] The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. [28] " ’Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won’t go out on a limb. [29] [30] Throw him out into utter darkness.’
How can we develop stewardship I our lives? How can we learn to live with an awareness that we are accountable to God for how we use our wealth and possessions?
1. Start with God; it all begins with the fear of the Lord.
2. Look for the blessings and discipline of the Lord.
3. Acknowledge you trust God to meet your needs.
4. Learn the secret of contentment.
