November 22, 2015

How Best to Invest

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

Getting Fiscally Fit
How Best To Invest
Matthew 6:19-21

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Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there is a fundamental connection between our Spiritual lives and how we think about and handle Money!

Divine Investment Advice

“Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth”

  • Why? Because they won’t Last!

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”

  • Why? Because they will last for Eternity!
  • Storing up for yourself treasures in heaven is not only the Right thing to do, it is the Smart thing to do!

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot

The Overarching Principle

You can’t take it with you – but you can Send it on ahead!

Anything that we put in God’s hands will be ours for Eternity

If we give instead of keep, if we invest in the eternal instead of the temporal, we store up treasures in heaven that will never stop paying Dividends!

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

Keys to Understanding This Investment Advice

1. God owns Everything. I’m His money manager!

“Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” (Job 41:11)

“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,” (Psalm 24:1)

A steward manages assets entrusted (not given) to him/her for the Owners benefit!

We will all give an Account of our stewardship of all of God’s resources!

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

2. My Heart always goes where I put God’s money!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

God is looking for Disciples, not Donors

3. Heaven, not earth is my home!

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:20)

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:16)

Where we choose to store our treasures depends largely on where we Think our home is!

Every single day we are either moving Toward our treasure or Away from our treasure

Our Treasure:

  • A Person: Jesus Christ
  • A Place: Heavenly Home
  • A Possession: Eternal Rewards

4. God prospers me not just to raise my standard of Living, but to raise my standard of Giving!

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater Person and a greater Agenda. Giving affirms Christ lordship, dethrones me and exalts Him. It breaks the chains of materialism that would enslave me.

Where Do I Start?

Start with the Tithe: “a tenth part”

“Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30)

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;” (Proverbs 3:9)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23)

Tithing isn’t the Ceiling of giving it’s the Floor. It’s not the finish line, but the starting blocks. Tithing can be the training wheels that launch us out into the mind-set, skills, and habits of grace giving.

“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Making It Personal:

  • What does where your treasure is tell you about where your heart is?
  • How might God be leading you to redirect your treasure and your heart to invest in your eternal home?
  • Are you practicing the starting point for giving – the tithe? If not what adjustments might you need to make?
  • What will it look like for you to excel in the grace of giving?

other sermons in this series

Nov 8

2015

The Power of Contentment

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

Nov 1

2015

The Foundation of Fiscal Fitness

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