Serving God with mamon!
Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can. - John Wesley
A Strange Parable: 1He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. 2So he called him and said to him, What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' 3Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' 5So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, How much do you owe my master?' 6And he said, A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' 7Then he said to another, And how much do you owe?' So he said, A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, Take your bill, and write eighty.' 8So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 9And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the TRUE riches? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Lk 16:1-13, ||Mt 6: 19-34)
What is the story here? What is the purpose of money?
- we cannot serve God and money at the same time v13
- (Mt 6:24) Money will either be our master or our slave. we should not love it.
- we are to lay up treasure in heaven—not on the earth v9
- 19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mt 6:19-21) → where is our focus?
- we are not to be anxious or worried about the future. v3
- 33"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Mt 6:31–34)
Scriptural examples of people dealings with mamon:
- Abraham : gave up all he had (Gen 12:1), incl. His only son! He didn't take profits of war!
- Job : Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord,” (Job 1:21)
- Moses: disregarded the riches of Egypt to suffer with the children of Israel (Heb 11:26)
- 22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich'; 24except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion." (Gen 14:22-24)
- Lot's wife: – just looked back and became a salt piller! (Gen 19:26)
- Balaam: sold himself out for riches and almost got him destroyed unless his donkey had saved him! (Num 22:31-33)
- Achan: stole some spoils and brought defeat to Israel incl. his own destruction (Josh 7:20-21)
- Gehazi: Elishas' servant pursued after gifts of Namaan and ended up as a leopr (2 Kin 5 : 20, 27)
- the rich ruler left Jesus very sorrowful since he'd many riches (Lk 18:18-23)
- Judas sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver and lost his soul! (Mt 27:3-5)
- Annanias & Sapphira → dead due to concealing part of their money (Act 5:1-10)
Jesus' Parables:
44"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Mt 13:44-46)
Are we not to work? How should we live, as per the example shown by the apostles sell everything and being in one place?
Extremists and false teachers are at large today – teaching asceticism on one hand and the prosperity gospel on the other.
Living with simplicity of heart! (Act 2:44-46)
44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, → How did we trust our parents as kids for everything, likewise trust God!
Can we say to someone hungry or in need 'seek the KoG'? → Jas 2:14-17
How can we serve God with money?
1Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.
6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." 10Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, (2 Cor 9:1, 5-13)
6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Tim 6: 6-10)
5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:5-6)
How can we regulate our finances for the KoG?
Most of the time we don't have control over what comes in but what goes out!
Personal finances: Do we consult God (to seek if its HIS will) before we spend on →
- Shopping for food/drinks
- House
- Clothing
- Transportation
- Medical/ insurances
- Entertainment
- For Families & Children
For e.g. if we spend more money on our pets than on ministering to the saints, then there is something wrong?!
In light of the present world condition and the commands of Christ, we must give everything above basic necessities to fulfil spreading of the gospel. Only the Lord Jesus can show you the balance He wants for you. it is very important that you not judge others based on the light and the grace He has given you to walk this narrow road.
WWJD: How Jesus spend money ?!
Jn 13:29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
Jesus was living on Scriptural principles:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack (Exo 16:18, 2 Cor 8:15).
We need to make a decision - to live as Christ would in our financial affairs.
We're not obligated to give anything BUT, since we've been bought for a price – His blood (Rev 5:9), all that we've belongs to Him!
Meditation:
- Do I need to change my attitude towards mamon?
- Which steps do I need to take so that I can serve God more effectively?
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