November 6-7, 2004, Luke 12:15-34

YOUR MONEY'S WORTH!
MIND OVER MONEY!

*** Luke 12:15 Then 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]

JESUS KNEW THAT THE GREATEST THREAT TO A PERSON'S FAITH WALK WAS AND IS MATERIALISM!

WE HAVE TWO PROBLEMS: A. OUR ATTITUDES! B. OUR IGNORANCE!
*** Luke 12:15-21 Then Jesus told this story: There was a rich man who had some land, which grew a good crop. He thought to himself, What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops. Then he said, This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods. Then I can say to myself, I have enough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life! But God said to him, Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God. [NCV]

TODAY HE WOULD BE CALLED A "SUCCESS" -
JESUS CALLED HIM A "FOOL"!
WE CAN HAVE OUR MIND OVER MONEY:

1. BY PONDERING OUR PRIORITIES!
*** Luke 12:15 Jesus said..., Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [NIV]

MONEY IS A TERRIFIC TOOL TO BE USED, BUT A TERRIBLE "GOD" TO BE WORSHIPPED!
*** Luke 12:21-31 Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. Turning to his disciples, Jesus said, So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life...food...clothes... For life consists of far more than food and clothing. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. [New Living Translation]
*** Matthew 6:33 The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. [NCV]

2. BY MEDITATING ON OUR MANAGEMENT!
*** Luke 12:29-31 And don't worry about food-what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day.... [NLT]
*** 1 Chron. 29:11-13 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength. God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!

3. BY CONSIDERING OUR CONTENTMENT!
*** Eccles. 5:10 Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! [NLT]

POSSESSIONS BECOME A MEANS OF KEEPING SCORE!
*** Luke 12:27-28 Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! [NLT]
*** Phil. 4:11-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength. [New International Version]
*** Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. [NIV]

4. BY GRASPING OUR GENEROSITY!
*** Luke 12:18-19 ...he said, I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I''ll have room enough to store everything. And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry! [NLT]

Faulty thinking results in one or two behaviors:
INDULGENCE! OR STOCKPILING!

HOW LITTLE OF MY MONEY CAN I GIVE AND STILL BE OKAY WITH GOD?
*** Luke 12:32-33 So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe-no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. [NLT]

HE IS NO FOOL WHO EXCHANGES THAT WHICH HE CANNOT KEEP FOR THAT WHICH HE CANNOT LOOSE! - Jim Elliot

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

WHAT ARE MY FINANCIAL PRIORITIES?
WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE IF I THINK OF MYSELF AS A MANAGER AND NOT AN OWNER?
AM I CONTENT OR COVETOUS?
WHAT WILL I DO IF I'M GENEROUS AND NOT GREEDY?

Wherever your treasure is,
there your heart and THOUGHTS will also be. Luke 12:34 [NLT]