Sermon Notes

"The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing." - Ecclesiastes 1:8

The average American spends $1,300 for every $1,000 they make.
Most Americans spend 136% of their annual income.

"Having more will make me happy"

"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income..." - Ecclesiastes 5:10

"Having more will make me important"

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” - Luke 12:15

"Having more will make me secure."

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone." - Proverbs 23:4-5

Financial Peace is a matter of the heart.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." - Matthew 6:24

5 Things to Explode the Myth of More and Live with Financial Peace in a Consumer Driven Culture:

1) Resist comparing what I have with others.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10:12

2) Rejoice in what I do have.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

3) Return the first 10% back to God.
"Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." - Malachi 3:7, 10

4) Rely on God for my daily needs.
"Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 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." - Proverbs 30:8-9

5) Refocus my life on eternal things.
"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

What you live for is so much more important that what you live on.

Four Action Steps:
1) Memorize Proverbs 30:8 - "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."
2) Join and attend a Life Group this week.
3) Trust God by giving generously today.
4) Invite someone you know who is in debt to come to church with you next week.