Jesus is the answer…to finances
Water cooler conversation:
What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?
What’s the dumbest impulse purchase you’ve ever made?
What’s the smartest financial decision you’ve ever made?
If you had Jeff Bezos’ fortune ($190.7 billion), what would you do with that money?
Unpack the Message:
Did you know (via the Washington Post)
If you're single and make $10k per year, you are in the top 21% of the world.
If you're single and make $20k per year, you are in the top 9% of the world.
If you're single and make $50k per year, you are in the top 1% of the world.
If your household of 4 makes $45k per year, you are in the top 19% of the world.
Furthermore, If your net worth is ~$93k, you are in the top 9% of the world.
If your net worth is ~$4,200, you are in the top 50% of the world. (Via CNBC)
A dangerous, patently false doctrine has crept into Christian theology— the prosperity gospel —which espouses God's plan for all believers to be wealthy. Nowhere in Scripture are we taught that God wants believers to be physically healthy, materially wealthy, and personally happy. Time and again, Scripture teaches us that our bank account does not measure God's favor and blessing on our lives. (1 Timothy 6:9-16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:19-34; Matthew 19:16-26; Luke 12:13-21; Luke 12:22-34; Luke 16:8-15; Luke 18:18-28).
In Philippians 4:10-20, the apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi from prison, specifically addressing issues of wealth and contentment. More than any other church, believers in Philippi offered Paul material support for his ministry (2 Corinthians 8:11; Philippians 4:15–18). Paul's love for the Philippian believers is evident throughout the letter as he encourages them to live out their faith in joy and unity (Philippians 1:3–5; 25–26; 4:1).
In the Roman world, imprisonment was rarely a long-term punishment as most prisoners were awaiting either trial or execution. The conditions within these jails varied widely, and imprisonment conditions were closely linked to the status of the prisoner —Roman citizens received better treatment than non-citizens. Though Paul would have experienced the gamut of conditions with his multiple imprisonments, in Philippians, he was likely thrown into an underground cell somewhere in Rome. Though he was entitled to a daily food ration as a Roman citizen, he would have been dependent on his friends and fellow believers to supply this food and other needs like blankets and writing materials. Yet Paul's state of mind wasn't determined by his circumstances but by the abiding peace of knowing that God was in control.
Paul had to learn to be content. How? Through Jesus. Paul says he knows what it means to be rich, and he knows what it's like to be poor. He's experienced all the highs and lows of life, but through it all, he's learned true contentment because Jesus is the answer to every need, including our finances.
Strength to be content is not from without. True contentment doesn't come from external sources but from God Himself. Money cannot and will not buy happiness. Paul's use of the word "content" in Philippians 4 connotes the school of thought known as stoicism which taught self-sufficiency despite external circumstances. While on the surface, this may sound empowering, stoicism is built on fallacy and faulty philosophical principles. Our sinful nature makes us flawed and broken creatures. We will inevitably let ourselves down. That's why the strength to be content is not from within. From the moment Adam took a bite of the fruit (Genesis 2-3), resulting in the fall of mankind, humanity has proven that we are fallible with a finite ability to take care of ourselves. Strength to be content is not about self-reliance or self-sufficiency. Strength to be content comes with Him. How is Jesus the answer to our finances? Because when we surrender ourselves to Him, the Holy Spirit indwelling us gives us the supernatural ability to be content whether we have much or we have little. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
If you are wealthy, God will use your resources to do kingdom work because it's all His in the first place. Likewise, if you have very little but realize your contentment comes from Him, God will fill you with joy and empower you to do mighty things that testify to His omnipotence.
How do you define contentment? In your own experiences, what have you discovered to be the key to contentment? In what circumstances do you most typically struggle to be content? Why? Are there any recurring themes for you?
In a 1990 Christianity Today article, James Goff said that through the prosperity gospel, God is "reduced to a kind of 'cosmic bellhop' attending to the needs and desires of his creation." Agree or disagree?
Reflect on a time in your life when you felt peaceful and content. What was the root of that contentment - finances or faith?
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to force yourself to find contentment? Reread Philippians 4:13. What made Paul's contentment possible? What do you think that contentment looks like in real life?
Discuss the statement, "Happiness is a choice. Contentment is a command."
When we struggle to be content, what are we saying about our view of God and His ability to meet our needs? What does it say about our relationship with Him?
Read Philippians 4:13 again. What made Paul's contentment possible? What do you think that contentment looks like in real life?
Think about Jesus' time on earth. How did He model contentment for us? What can we learn from Him?
One of our core values at Expectation Church is MEETING NEEDS. What do you see as the most common needs here in our community that we as a church could begin addressing? How might YOU create margin in your schedule or finances to be ready to help meet those needs?
Make a Move:
One of our core values at Expectation Church is MEETING NEEDS. Every day, we strive to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people in our community. Go to ecnow.info to see upcoming opportunities and reach out to one of our pastors or our eGroups Director for more information on how you can get on board with our mission.
Prayer Prompt:
God, Your Word tells us that wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. Therefore, help me to put You first in every area of my life, including my finances. Your Word promises that "Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil," and I thank You that I can place my complete trust in You to meet all my needs. May I never lose sight of all You have done for me and how You have answered even my smallest prayers in the past. Thank you for trusting me with little and with much - I know I am blessed. Amen