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November
9-10, 2002 LIVING
UP IN A DOWN ECONOMY! Luke 15 BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF FINANCIAL BONDAGE! *** 1 Timothy 6:9 “People who long to be rich
fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that
plunge them into ruin and destruction.”
c MOST OF UD DON’T NEED TO INCREASE OUR EARNINGS AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO
DISCIPLINE OUR SPENDING! WE BREAK FREE FROM FINANCIAL BONDAGE: 1. BY
AVOIDING THE PATH OF FINANCIAL BONDAGE! ***
Luke 15:11-14 “Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. The
younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now, instead of
waiting until you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his
sons. "A few days later this
younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and
there he wasted all his money on wild living.
About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land,
and he began to starve.” [NLT] A.
OVER-ESTIMATING THE IMPORTANCE OF WEALTH! *** Luke 12:15 “Jesus said to them, "Be
careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much
one owns." [New Century
Version] Ø
REPUTATION - Pr.22:1 “ Choose a good reputation over great
riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or
gold.” [New Living Translation] Ø
WISDOM – Pr.20:15 " Good sense is far more valuable
than gold.” [Living] Ø
INTEGRITY - Pr.23:23 "Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding." [NIV] *** Job 31:24 “I have not put my trust in gold
or said…, 'You are my security.” B.
WANTING INSTANT GRATIFICATION! *** Proverbs 21:20 “Wise people live in wealth
and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” [Today’s English Version] c “MATURITY IS THE ABILITY TO POSTPONE PLEASURE
!” C.
SPENDING ON WASTEFUL ACTIVITIES
AND ITEMS! *** Luke 15:30 “…after squandering your money
on prostitutes….” [NLT] *** Proverbs 23:21 “Those who drink and eat
too much become poor. They sleep too
much and end up wearing rags.”
[NCV] D.
SPENDING MORE THAN HE HAD! c IF YOUR OUTGO EXCEEDS YOUR INCOME YOUR UPKEEP IS GOING TO BE YOUR DOWNFALL ! *** Proverbs 29:5 “Flattery is nothing less
than setting a trap.” [CEV] c IF YOU USE A CREDIT CARD, YOU WILL PURCHASE 34% MORE THAN YOU WOULD WITH
CASH OVER A ONE-YEAR PERIOD! *** Proverbs 22:7 “The poor are always ruled
over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.” [Message] E. NOT
ANTICIPATING HARD TIMES ! *** Proverbs 21:20 “Be sensible and store up
precious treasures—don't waste them like a fool.” [Contemporary English Version] 2. BY
ADOPTING THE PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM! A.
GOING TO WORK! - Luke 15:14-15 “About the time his money ran
out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a
local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs.” *** Pr.10:4 “Laziness leads to poverty; hard
work makes you rich.” [CEV] *** 2Th.3:10 “ While we were with you, we gave
you the order: "Whoever doesn't want to work shouldn't be allowed to
eat." [God’s Word to the
Nations] *** 2 Thes. 3:12 “In the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people—no, we command them: Settle down and get
to work. Earn your own living.”
[NLT] B.
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR BONDAGE! -
Luke 15:17 "When he finally came to his senses….” [NLT] *** Proverbs 27:12 “The wise see danger ahead
and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.” [NCV] C.
DEVELOPING A PLAN! - Luke
15:17-19 “He said to himself, 'At home even the hired men have food enough
to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!
I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against
both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please
take me on as a hired man."
[NLT] *** Proverbs 14:22 “If you plot evil, you will
be lost; but if you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and
faithfulness.” [NLT] c FOUR THINGS YOU NEED FOR A FINANCIAL FREEDOM
PLAN: A.
WHAT YOU OWN ! C. WHAT
YOU EARN ! B.
WHAT YOU OWE! D. WHAT
YOU SPEND! *** Proverbs 23:23 “Learn the truth and never
reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.” [NCV] 4.
STARTING IMMEDIATELY ! - Luke
15:20 “So he went at once to his father.” [GW] 5.
SURRENDERING TO THE FATHER! -
Luke 15:21-24 “The son said, "Father, I have sinned against God in
heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your
son." But his father said to the
servants, "Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him
a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. Get the best calf and prepare
it, so we can eat and celebrate. This son of mine was dead, but has now come
back to life. He was lost and has now been found." And they began to
celebrate.” [CEV] *** Matthew 6:33 “But more than anything else,
put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours
as well.” [CEV] *** Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your
wealth and with the first and best part of all your income.” [GW] “Why
spend money on what does not satisfy?”
Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best…of all.” Isaiah
55:2 [TEV] |