Pastor Don Dyck

Series: Course Corrections

Study #4:   Balancing the Books

(all Scripture links go to BibleGateway.com except for NRSV Scripture links, which go to BibleStudyTools.com)

Overall, how would you classify your spending in this last year?

Check the appropriate box and put an approximate percentage of your spending that fits with that particular description.

• Wise
• Good
• Foolish
• Stupid 

Our goal as followers of Jesus in our use of our money and material resources

Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Proverbs 3:9 (Msg)

Making course corrections in our use of money and material resources

Living counterculture in a materialistic society

• A foundational principle
  • No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
• Three course correcting questions
  • 1) What is my primary objective? What drives my use of my money and my material resources?
    • “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matt. 6:31-32 (NIV)
    • “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
    • But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
  • 2) How content am I with what I have?
    • But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)
    • I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
  • 3) How willing am I to give what I have away?
    • Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
      • Give regularly
        • On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 1 Cor. 16:2 (NIV)
      • Give generously
        • Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)
      • Give sacrificially
        • Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. …they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 2 Corinthians 8:2,5 (NIV)