Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014
Scripture
1 Timothy 6:6-10 & 17-19
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 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. 10 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……..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. 18
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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.
Core Idea, challenge and summary
Core Idea: Our attitude towards money will either bring us closer to God or push us away from God.
Challenge:
To exhort Christians to use their wealth to spread God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom.
Summary : Many people fantasize about what they would do if they won the lottery. They ask, “What would I do with all that money?” That, however, is the wrong question for a Christian to ask. A follower of Christ should ask, “What does
God want me to do with the money He has blessed me with?” The two questions illustrate opposing attitudes towards money.
Our attitude towards money will either bring us closer to God or push us away from God. People who depend on money for their security and happiness will always want more. They will be more likely to lie, cheat, steal, or hurt other people to gain more wealth. That will separate them from God. People who view money as a way to spread God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom will learn to be content with having their needs met and use the extra wealth to help other people. That will help them to better trust in God’s provision and draw them closer to God.
Both rich and poor people need to realize this truth. If poor people look to money for their salvation, they’ll develop jealousy and maybe even hatred towards rich people. This jealousy and hatred will separate them from God. If rich people trust in their money for their security and happiness they’ll want more. As previously
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014 explained, they’ll lie, cheat, steal and hurt people to obtain more money. Rich people may also become arrogant towards the poor. These sins will separate the rich person from God.
First Timothy 6:610 states, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 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. 10 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 .” Both the rich and the poor need to heed this passage.
First Timothy 6:17-19 explains the right attitude towards money, “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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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.
” Based on this, our attitude towards money should consist of three parts:
1. If you are rich, don’t become arrogant. If you are poor, don’t think you are less of a person.
2. Place your hope in God, not money
3. Do good, be generous with your money. Use your money to spread God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom.
John Wesley, the 18 th century leader of the Methodist Revival in England gave this advice about how to handle money. He stated that Christians should 1) make as much money as they can, 2) save as much money as they can so they can 3) give away as much money as we can. In other words, we earn money and spend it wisely so we can use it to spread God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom.
Sermon
I. Introduction: Fantasizing about winning the lottery
A. Many people have fantasized about what they would do if they won the lottery.

My wife and I have.

Most of my friends and family have
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014

When people fantasize about what they would do if they won the lottery, they usually ask, “What would I do with all that money?”
B.
Asking, “What would I do with all that money?” is the wrong question for a
Christian to ask.

As Christians, we know that the Lord actually owns the money and has blessed us with the money. (Psalm 24:1-2)

We are stewards, not owners of the money. God has entrusted us with the money and expects us to use the money in accordance with His will.

The correct question for the Christian to ask when he/she wins the lottery is, “What does God want me to do with the money He has blessed me with?”
C. The two questions illustrate opposing attitudes towards money.
II. Yes, I know, hearing a sermon about money makes many people uncomfortable.
A. Many people don’t want to hear a sermon about money

Many people think that all a church or pastor cares about is getting more money

Many people consider the money in their checking account to belong to them and they don’t want other people telling them what they should do with it.
B.
Many pastors don’t like to preach about money

These sermons are often not well received

Sermons about money make people uncomfortable – the worship service becomes a little less enjoyable.
C. Pastors, however, need to preach about money

Jesus talked about money on numerous occasions
– He thought the subject of money was extremely important

Jesus talked about money more than He did heaven or hell combined
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014
 Jesus talked about money more than anything else except the Kingdom of God
 11 of 39 parables talk about money 1
 A few of his famous statements: o But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
– Matthew 6:20 o 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 o Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." – Matthew 19:23
 Why did Jesus consider money to be such an important topic?
 It’s an extremely important topic because our attitude towards money will either bring us closer to God or push us away from God.
III. Our attitude towards money will either bring us closer to God or push us away from God
A. People who depend on money for their security and happiness will always want more.

They will be more likely to lie, cheat, steal, or hurt other people to gain more wealth.

That will separate them from God.
1 http://www.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_did_Jesus_talk_about_money http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/money-matters-kelly-benton-sermon-on-obedience-155200.asp
http://www.thecompassnews.org/compass/2003-10-24/foundations.shtml
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014
B. People who view money as a way to spread God’s love and proclaim
God’s kingdom will learn to be content with having their needs through faith in God
 That will help them to better trust in God’s provision

This will draw them closer to God.
C. This is a message for both the rich and the poor
 If poor people look to money for their salvation…
 They’ll develop jealousy and maybe even hatred towards rich people.

They may also lie, cheat, steal and hurt people to obtain money.

These sins separate them from God.

If rich people trust in their money for their security and happiness they’ll want more.
 As previously explained, they’ll lie, cheat, steal and hurt people to obtain more money.
 Rich people may also become arrogant towards the poor.
 These sins will separate the rich person from God.
D. Scripture testifies to this truth
IV. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 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. 10 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 ”
A. Verses 6-8 tell us…

Seek godliness, holiness, Christ-likeness before wealth
– This is the source of true security and happiness
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014

Be content with having your needs met even if many of your wants are not met
B. Verses 9-10 warn us of the dangers of desiring wealth and depending on wealth for our security and happiness

Verse 9 – Desire for wealth leads us into temptation – We’re tempted to lie, cheat, steal, hurt people in order to gain more wealth

Verse 10 – Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil – this l;eads to a separation from the Holy and Loving God.
C. So, what should our attitude towards money be? 1 Timothy 6:17-19
V. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
– “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. 18
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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.
” – Based on this, our attitude towards money should consist of three parts
A. Do not let money determin e your status or anyone else’s status as a human being
– Verse 17a
 If you are rich, don’t become arrogant.
 If you are poor, don’t think you are less of a person.

A person
’s worth is not dependant on the amount of wealth a person has.
It’s dependant on the fact that God created us all and loves all of us
– every person is of immeasurable value
 We’re all sinners in need of God’s grace

A billionaire is no better than a homeless person and a homeless person is no worse than a billionaire because we are all sinners in need of God’s grace.
B. Place your hope in God, not money – Verse 17
 Reminds me of the Beatles song, “Can’t Buy Me Love”
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014
 “I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love”
 The Beatles had it right – not only can money not buy love, neither can it buy true security and happiness

Just look at the people who loss everything in the recent economic recession.
– money let them down

Only a relationship with God through faith in Jesus can provide true security, happiness and love – Verse 19
C. Do good, be generous with your money. – Verse 18.
 Use your money to spread God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom.

After you provide for the needs (not wants) of your family, how do you use the extra wealth?

Do you use your extra wealth primarily to fulfill your wants?
OR
 Do you use your extra wealth to help a ministry, charity or other people in need?
VI. John Wesley’s (18 th century leader of the Methodist Revival in England and
America) summation of how Christians should handle wealth.
A. Earn as much as you can

Work hard in an honest job

Work hard to get the best job you can

Be a hard, industrious and honest worker
B. Save as much as you can

Spend money wisely – look for the good deals

Budget your money
– provide for retirement

Consult a Christian financial planner
SO THAT
C. You can give as much as you can

This is what makes this Christian financial advice rather than secular financial advice
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Sermon Outline
First United Methodist Church of Sanford
“The Proper View of Money””
Nov 9, 2014

We earn money and spend it wisely so we can use it to spread
God’s love and proclaim God’s kingdom.
VII. Conclusion: What is your attitude towards money?
A. How do you spend your money? Take a close look at your checkbook or latest bank statement

What percentage of your income is used to meet the needs of your family?

What percentage of your income is used to support a ministry, charity or to help someone?

What percentage of your income is used to meet your wants?

What percentage of your income is used to meet your family wants?
B. Based on your answers to the above questions does your attitude towards money bring you closer to God or does it push you away from God?
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