Concerning Debt
gtcotr/ws021203
Three Steps To Getting Out Of Petty Debt
#1. Stop Digging
#2. Take An Inventory
#3. Get A Plan
So Far:
Stop Digging
Taking Inventory
Consider Assets
Consider Liabilities
Consider Your Ways
The Question: Where is God in your finances?
Taking Inventory (Continued)
When things are not like you want, expect, need them to be, then:
Consider Your Ways - Haggai 1:7
The Question Tonight:
How Do I Feel About Money?
Since money is not our source,
Money should neither impress nor depress us.
Impressed with others who have it and/or depressed about you when you don’t.
We are going to use the Apostle Paul’s admonition to his son in the faith, Timothy, as an inventory sheet to examine our soul.
1 Timothy 6
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Inventory Issues
Gain equals godliness or godliness is gain?
No ownership, only stewardship.
Content with food and raiment.
The Pursuit Of Riches
they that will be rich (not those who are rich, but who would be)
(will - the purpose & design of life; the object of earnest desire)
(this ‘will’, not willingness, destroys contentment)
Proverbs 28:20 ¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
The love of money (perhaps money one already has)
* Does the money you have, have you?
1 Tim 6:17 Charged those who are already rich
* misplaced credit - high mindedness
* misplaced trust - trust in uncertain riches
> the deceitfulness of riches
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
the responsibility of riches
* Luke 12:48 To whom much is given, much is required
> good deeds should be as abundant as riches
> liberal in distribution, not stingy or miserly
Proverbs 11:
24 ¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 ¶ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 ¶ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
> sociable to share
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
The eternal impact of money
Have you considered what your money could do for you in eternity, providing you purchase your rewards now, in this life?
The Young Rich Ruler:
Matthew 19:21 purchase treasure in heaven with money on earth
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Examining Yourself:
* Do you think God is impressed with people who have money?
* Have you considered how temporary earthly wealth is?
* Are you content with godliness, food and clothing?
* Are you hungry or determined to be rich?
* Do you love money, money and more money?
* Who gets the credit for what you have?
* What can money do to protect you?
* What do you do with what you have?
* Are you stingy?
* Do you socialize and share with others less fortunate than you?
* Are you laying enough in store for eternal rewards?
