November 1, 2015

The Foundation of Fiscal Fitness

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Getting Fiscally Fit Scripture: Matthew 25:14–20

Getting Fiscally Fit
The Foundation of Fiscal Fitness
Matthew 25:14-30

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Seven Foundational Principlesfor Fiscal Fitness

1. Possession: Everything I have belongs to God (14-15)

Everything I have is a gift from God

2. Allocation: God has loaned me resources (16-19)

Money is a Tool to be used - “put his money to work”

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Use money and Love people

You get to Choose what you do with what God gives you

3. Accountability: I will give an account for what I do with what God has entrusted to me (19-26)

God has made an Investment in me

God will conduct an Audit

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)

4. Utilization: I must wisely use God’s resources

God did not put you on this earth to Do Nothing

The greatest use of my life is to invest it in something that will Outlast It

5. Motivation: I must move against my fears (25)

The challenge is that many of the principles and precepts of God’s Word and God’s way are Counter-Cultural

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

I must move against my fears if I am going to experience God’s Best in any area of my life

6. Application: If I don’t use it, I lose it (28-29)

God has the right to take away anything I don’t invest for Him

“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’” (Luke 12:19–20)

7. Compensation: God will reward me for good resource management (21-23, 30)

Three-fold reward:

  • Affirmation
  • Promotion
  • Celebration

Money Is:

  • A Trust
  • A Tool
  • A Test

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.” (Luke 16:10–13)

Questions for Reflection:

  • What does my current management of God-given resources tell me about my relationship with God?
  • What does God desire to do in my life through the tool of financial resources right now?
  • What adjustments or changes is God calling me to make as I manage His resources for His purposes?

other sermons in this series

Nov 22

2015

How Best to Invest

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21 Series: Getting Fiscally Fit

Nov 8

2015

The Power of Contentment

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Philippians 4:11–12 Series: Getting Fiscally Fit