When Love of God Is Greater than Love of Money…Part 3
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Bankruptcy of Wealth”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
There’s no easy way to put this. So let me be blunt with two things:
- Stop robbing God.
- Stop robbing yourself.
What am I talking about? How do we rob God? Rob ourselves?
You reader would not be the first that needed to hear this message. Because, remember, if everything I have is the Lord’s and I start asking, “God how do YOU want me to manage your stuff?” we need to be open to God’s response.
The truth is, it is easy to do what I want with money, but God convicts us and challenges us to do it his way. God sent the prophet Malachi 400 years before Christ to convict God’s people of robbery and share God’s promise. Honestly we still need the conviction and encouragement today.
Here’s how we rob God. (Malachi 3:8-10)
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
People were robbing God by NOT managing his wealth the way HE desired. They were not giving ten percent as he directed and they were not giving special gifts and offerings. Their hearts loved money more than God and as a result they were keeping too much for themselves. Could the same be said of you?
The tithe is the first 10% of one’s income. God directed this to be given to his “house.” For some that was the temple, for most their local synagogue. The local church today is the recipient of our tithes to manage for the benefit of God’s kingdom work. Do you give 10%? Figure it out. What percentage of your weekly/monthly income do you give to the Lord? For many its far short of 10%. I’m sure most make more than $200 a week (a weekly gift of $20). God made it easy. Take your paycheck and drop the last number. Move the decimal one place to the left and that is your gift. Make $1235.45 a week? Your weekly offering is $123.54. It’s that simple…mathematically. It’s tough spiritually. But that’s the challenge.
Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty,
Our financial giving is a test of our hearts. Do we TRUST that God will provide for us on 90% of what we make? Do we TRUST that we can give 10% even when it seems like finances are tight?
Here’s why we CAN trust! Listen to God’s promise…
“and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
By robbing God of the tithe and offering, we are robbing ourselves of the blessings that God promises. God promises that as we trust him in our financial giving, he WILL bless us. It may not be a new house or new car, but it may be a car that doesn’t need repair. It may be health that doesn’t need doctor expenses. It could just be peace of mind and heart as my heart unwinds its anxious grip from finances and allows God’s peace to rule in our hearts.
There are MANY stories of people who took God up on his promise and realized the blessing that comes when they honor the LORD with their tithe, giving to him first. The most recent I heard was a couple that called the Ramsey Show and indicated debt of about $30,000. They made a plan to pay it off in 7 months, without giving any offering. God’s Spirit convicted their heart and led them to trust God, even when their plan said it would take longer. Instead of 7 months it took not 10 months…it took FOUR. They tithed AND paid off their debt three months sooner than they originally planned.
This is just one example of God blessing those who love him more than they love their money.
So stop robbing God. Stop robbing yourself.
In Jesus you are forgiven. With his grace and the power he gives, now bring in the whole tithe…and see how God chooses to bless your soul and your life!
Apply: Try giving a FULL tithe of your income for the next three months, no matter what your financial condition. Allow God to turn your heart fully from love of money to love of him. Journal the journey and note God’s faithfulness to his promise to bless you!
Prayer: Lord, grant me trust to give you FIRST my heart to love you above my material wealth. Then lead me to trust everything I have is yours and then follow gladly your direction to give the full first ten percent back to you. AMEN.
When Love of God is greater than Love of Money…Part 2
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Heartbreak of Love”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
It’s a problem when a financial advisor mismanages the money that is entrusted to them.
In fact, some money managers have spent time in jail for misappropriating the funds of the investors.
Why is this a big deal?
Because it’s not their money! Their job is to manage the financial investments of people in a way that they have been directed. No matter if they feel differently, they cannot just buy or sell investments the way they want to or feel like it. They have to get the permission of the investor to buy, sell or move money out of one investment into another.
When it’s not yours, you can’t do what YOU want with it…you have to do what the OWNER wants with it.
That’s why yesterday’s point is so important for us to really let sink in: The wealth you have is GOD’S, not YOURS! So the fact that it is not yours means you have to ask a different question. Instead of asking, “What am I going to do with MY money?”, I have to ask, “God what do you want me to do with YOUR money?”
There is a big difference when you see yourself as a MANAGER instead of the OWNER.
But that’s what happens when the Spirit of God shifts my heart away from love of money to love of God. My heart begins to detach from the material things of this world as MY possessions to see and use them as God’s possessions. It’s like the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25.
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
All three servants knew it was not their own money, but the two faithful ones USED it in the way that the master intended…investing it for the benefit of the master (more on that tomorrow…). For today, let God’s Spirit work these two truths in your heart: 1) Everything you have belongs to God. Because it belongs to God, 2) ask, “God what do YOU want me to do with it?”
Apply: Look at the things around you – home, cash, car, job, etc. Ask, “God how do you want me to use ____________?” What does he say?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for generously giving me all that I have. Help me to see it as yours and manage it in such a way that would honor you. AMEN.
When Love of God is greater than Love of Money…Part 1
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Heartbreak of Love”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Over 2000 passages…15% of Jesus’ teaching…almost half of Jesus’ parables talk about…
MONEY!
Proportionately, Jesus discussion of money and wealth is greater than heaven and hell.
Why would this be?
1 Timothy 6:10 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.
God’s Spirit knew that one of the greatest threats to our hearts is LOVE of money, material wealth. When our hearts are set on material wealth, it draws us away from our Savior and to other sins of greed, discontent, and dishonesty. Love of money can be so tempting because we think that money and what it can buy will somehow fill some emptiness in our heart…whether security, control, or significance. Sure money can give options, and allow you to do things, but the reality is, an emptiness in the heart can never be fully filled by financial wealth.
King Solomon said this, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” Why? Because money will never fill a void that only God can fill. That’s the deception of a counterfeit god.
Only the love of God can fill the voids in my heart, a gift that money can’t buy, but the blood of Jesus can give. Consider 2 Corinthians 8:9, “ You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
When I realize I have what is most valuable in Christ, it puts finances and wealth in their proper place. God’s Spirit gives me a new perspective. This week we’ll explore five shifts the Spirit gives us that both allows God to keep the first place in our heart and allows money and wealth to be a blessing, not a curse.
Shift one: I recognize it is GOD’S money, not MY money.
This is a hard shift to mentally grasp. Our culture and work environment celebrate the accomplishments of people. It’s easy to look at what we have and say, “I earned that.” “I bought that.” “That is mine.” Yes, honestly you earned it. Practically you bought it. Legally it belongs to you. However, the psalmist reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” (Psalm 24:1). Everything is the Lord’s.
So how do I begin to look at wealth and the way I obtain it? The job you are going to this morning…a gift from God. The paycheck you receive…a gift from God. The things you are able to buy…gifts from God.
When I realize that the material wealth I have is on loan from God, I will ask a different question (Read tomorrow’s devotion!). But it has to start with the work of God’s Spirit preventing me from filling the empty places in my heart with financial things. A quick result of God’s Spirit at work is leading me to realize that everything I have is the Lord’s.
Apply: Take time today to mentally note all the things God has given to you and all the dollars you have at your disposal. Give them “back” to God. Here’s a way to do that. Say, “Lord, all along I thought _________ was mine. I have been wrong. It’s yours and today I release my heart from it.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking time to point out the dangers of the love of money and wealth in our lives. Guide us to yield our hearts back to you and see all that we have is a gift from you. AMEN.
Express Love…God’s Way: Words of Affirmation
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Heartbreak of Love”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“Job well done!”
“You’re amazing!”
“I love your talent!”
“You’ve made such a difference!”
These phrases and many others can fill a soul with encouragement and motivation. In a culture where we are quick to slander, demean, divide, and criticize, words of affirmation and encouragement stand out like a lighthouse on a dark night.
We all need encouragement. We all need affirmation.
Especially individuals whose love tank is filled with words of affirmation. A long, hard discouraging day can be made right with a spouse saying, “I love you and am so proud of you and how hard you work.” A day of frustration and challenges can be overcome with a simple, “You are beautiful and amazing and I love that I get to spend my life with you.”
Words of encouragement fill the soul. Especially words from our loving heavenly Father. Consider how he loves us with words of encouragement.
He affirmed Jesus as his son…he affirms us as his children:
Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Galatians 3: 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
He calls us his chosen, special people:
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
He commends our work in his name:
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
So again we have God’s wonderful example of love by words of affirmation to fill our soul so that we can in turn love others with words of encouragement and affirmation. We need it…so do they. Here’s God’s encouragement to love with words of affirmation:
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Take time today to share a word of encouragement and affirmation to someone who has impacted and blessed your life today!
Apply: Here’s again some ideas on how to love with words of affirmation: Thank you this week to the blog post: https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/love-language-ideas for some great ideas!
For Significant Other
- Leave them a sticky note on the bathroom mirror saying “I love you”
- Compliment a project they’ve recently finished
- Send them a letter in the mail telling them you appreciate them
- Share something nice they did on Facebook or Instagram
- Give them a phone call just to say how much you love them
For Kids
- Give them a bracelet that says “I love you” to wear
- Hang their art on the fridge and tell them how much you love it
- Tell them you appreciate them when they do their chores
- Share five reasons why you love them
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us always and for communicating your love for us in your affirming words of truth and encouragement. Help us to love others with words of affirmation to fill their soul with “gracious words.” AMEN.
Express Love…God’s Way: Physical Touch
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Heartbreak of Love”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
CoVid has been hard for people who have the love language of physical touch. “Stay six feet apart.” “Don’t gather close together.”
For some who hate hugs, CoVid has been a blessing! However, for those who both love to give and receive love through physical touch, it has been challenging.
People who love to hug and be hugged are probably people who have the love language of physical touch. There is something about the human connection that God has wired when a hand is held, a hug is given, or an arm is put around someone’s shoulder.
Obviously I am not talking about or condoning inappropriate touch or simply touching people for your own satisfaction – that is not loving.
But when we are in proximity to people and give them an embrace it communicates care, connection, and concern. Someone who is grieving a loss can remain silent but feel completely loved in the arms of a friend. A husband and wife enjoy the daily hug or the romantic moments.
You know too that when hugging and hand holding stop, something is wrong. Physical touch is withheld when the relationship is strained. It’s an indicator of closeness.
CoVid or not, we can love appropriately with physical touch. Consider some of the ways God designed and Jesus loved with physical touch.
- God designed a committed marriage relationship to enjoy the most intimate and connected form of physical touch.
Genesis 2:24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
- Jesus added to his healing the physical touch to add a communication of care and love…especially to one with leprosy!
Luke 8:2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
- Jesus’ touch was calming of fears (Transfiguration)
Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
- Touch was a way God conferred blessings and gifts to his people.
Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Acts 8:15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
As the Lord expresses his love with his presence and touch, enjoy expressing your love to others with physical touch appropriately and lovingly given!
Apply: Here’s some ideas to express love to those whose love language is physical touch: (https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/love-language-ideas)
For Significant Other
- Give them a backscratch or a massage—before they ask for one
- Put your arm around them or hold their hand while you’re out in public
- Give them a hug or a kiss, just because
- Schedule cuddling or snuggling time as a date
- Take them out for a night of dancing
For Kids
- Let them sit on your lap while you read to them
- Style their hair for them or help them get dressed
- Give them a surprise piggyback ride around the house
- Hold their hand while shopping together
- Cuddle them to help them fall asleep
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for reaching out in love to touch the untouchable and communicate your love and care by being in close proximity to us. AMEN.