Beyond the Balance Sheet: Is Your Stewardship Built on Duty or Devotion?

[00:00:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Hello, Freedom House Central Campus.
[00:01:02] Come on, give Jesus some praise today.
[00:01:03] Man, it's always good to be in the house of God.
[00:01:08] And I miss you guys.
[00:01:09] Man, it feels like forever since I've been here.
[00:01:11] Oh my gosh, man, they've had me in the dungeon at South End, Lake Norman.
[00:01:19] I've been like, man, where's my Central Campus?
[00:01:23] Goodness gracious.
[00:01:24] Yeah.
[00:01:25] Miss you guys.
[00:01:26] I tell you what.
[00:01:26] Well, listen, I'm excited to be with you today.
[00:01:28] My name's Olin Carter.
[00:01:30] If I have never had the pleasure of meeting you personally, I'll be out in the lobby after service today.
[00:01:36] Would love to meet you.
[00:01:37] And a big part of our vision here at Freedom House, if you're here more than, you know, 10 minutes, you're going to pick up on this.
[00:01:44] We do everything here as a team.
[00:01:47] And because of that, we have a teaching team.
[00:01:49] So we have a live communicator, a pastor, at each campus.
[00:01:52] Every single week, every single service, because we want to meet you and we want to get to know you.
[00:01:56] We want to be here for you.
[00:01:57] You can ask us questions.
[00:01:58] We don't go run and hide.
[00:02:00] We're here for you.
[00:02:01] And so that's a huge part of our vision here.
[00:02:04] And, you know, I always like to take just a moment.
[00:02:06] They don't ask us to do this, but I love to honor our senior pastors.
[00:02:09] Can we give them some honor today?
[00:02:11] Pastor Troy, Pastor Penny.
[00:02:14] It's because of their heart to you know sometimes they take a step back so some of us can step forward in our gifting and that's the case for each and every one of you as well so there's a place for you on this team and we we've been in an incredible series I'm excited about this message today but before we jump into God's Word I do want to take a moment and just say a huge hello to those joining us joining with us online we have an online campus as well and we have folks all over the world tuning in right now we have
[00:02:44] People in North Carolina, New York, Illinois, Vermont, Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, New Jersey, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Kanata.
[00:02:55] Come on, y'all give it up for Kanata today.
[00:03:00] We love you guys in Canada.
[00:03:02] Y'all are awesome.
[00:03:03] So we've got folks joining us.
[00:03:04] And listen, you're a part of our family.
[00:03:06] We love you guys and appreciate you being with us.
[00:03:09] So we have been in this incredible series called Kingdom Logic.
[00:03:13] Has anyone learned anything through this series so far?
[00:03:17] Yeah, yeah.
[00:03:18] I would encourage you, if you've missed any of the messages,
[00:03:22] Tune in.
[00:03:23] Go to our YouTube channel, our podcast.
[00:03:26] All the messages are there.
[00:03:28] Basically, what we've been covering this month is, as a church, Freedom House Church, what is our theology of stewardship?
[00:03:37] What is our theology of stewardship?
[00:03:40] And we're covering three primary topics.
[00:03:42] We're going to have some other things this month as well.
[00:03:44] But these three primary topics, number one, if you're taking some notes today, God owns it, we steward it.
[00:03:51] God owns it.
[00:03:53] We steward it.
[00:03:54] I'm going to be talking about that specifically today.
[00:03:57] Another one is the best ROI, return on investment, is EROI, an eternal return on investment.
[00:04:07] And how many of you know you cannot beat the returns you get in the kingdom of God?
[00:04:13] Come on.
[00:04:14] Even Nancy Pelosi can't beat these returns.
[00:04:16] Come on, somebody.
[00:04:18] I mean 559 percent that's pretty good but even that doesn't beat heaven come on like nobody can beat the returns you get in the kingdom of God it's incredible we're also talking about 90 is greater than 190 that makes sense in the in the natural but in the kingdom this is kingdom logic 90 is greater than 100. now
[00:04:44] I've got a question I want to start with today, and this is a question I have to ask myself all the time.
[00:04:50] It's a question I would encourage you to ask yourself all the time.
[00:04:55] But it's, do I view myself as an owner or as a steward?
[00:05:02] Do I view myself, when you're thinking of your finances, when you're thinking of your possessions, when you're thinking of your talents, your resources, your opportunities, do I view myself as an owner or as a steward?
[00:05:19] The best modern word for the biblical term steward is manager.
[00:05:25] But we don't really love that term today.
[00:05:27] I remember growing up manager you know if you were a manager somewhere it's kind of a big deal like oh that's the manager but now manager it's kind of lowly like we don't like the term manager like manager no no no no no that's not glamorous enough for us we like terms like executive founder chief strategist director listen and for the love of all that's holy do not call yourself a thought leader
[00:05:56] When I hear people say that, I'm like, oh, help me, Lord Jesus, help me.
[00:06:01] We love these terms.
[00:06:02] And the term owner, why do we like these terms better?
[00:06:06] Why do they sound better to us?
[00:06:07] Because shaping something new sounds better than maintaining what already exists.
[00:06:14] And can I just tell you, in the kingdom of God, we are not called to build something new.
[00:06:18] We're called to maintain.
[00:06:19] Every one of us is building on the foundation that Jesus and the apostles set before us.
[00:06:25] None of us are going to invent the kingdom of God.
[00:06:27] And can I just tell you, it doesn't hinge or depend on any one of us.
[00:06:32] If I never preach another sermon, the kingdom will be just fine, right?
[00:06:35] It doesn't depend on me.
[00:06:36] It doesn't depend on you.
[00:06:38] No, we're just called to be faithful managers of what God has put in our hands.
[00:06:44] We like these terms better because being in charge sounds better than being accountable.
[00:06:50] We all like being in charge.
[00:06:52] Come on, somebody.
[00:06:55] But not one of us likes, gets up in the morning looking forward to being accountable to someone else.
[00:07:02] These terms sound better because making decisions sounds better than following directions.
[00:07:10] Now I don't know if you're picking up on a theme here, but I believe kind of the heart of this message today is humility.
[00:07:20] Can we be humble enough to view ourselves as the manager
[00:07:25] and not the owner not to try to take God's place because see if I'm the owner if I'm the boss I get the credit I can claim credit if things work out well if things are doing good if I'm the head strategist if I'm the boss if I'm the owner if I'm the head you know I'm in charge you know I get to claim credit I get to feel good about myself right instead of the glory going to God you see in the upside down kingdom of God we use a different kind
[00:07:53] of Logic.
[00:07:54] Today we're going to compare kingdom logic versus worldly logic in the area of stewarding or managing our money.
[00:08:05] So are you guys ready to dive in today?
[00:08:07] You taking some notes?
[00:08:09] If you're not taking notes, listen, heaven, if you want to be sure,
[00:08:18] Get your pad out.
[00:08:19] Get your app on your phone.
[00:08:20] The note takers go to heaven.
[00:08:22] That's a fact.
[00:08:24] That's a fact.
[00:08:27] Undisputed fact right there.
[00:08:29] Alright, number one.
[00:08:30] Number one.
[00:08:32] Worldly logic says what's mine is mine.
[00:08:36] Kingdom logic says what's mine is his.
[00:08:41] Worldly logic says what's mine is mine.
[00:08:44] Kingdom logic says what's mine
[00:08:48] is really his.
[00:08:49] Let's look at Psalms chapter 50 we're going to read verses 8 through 12 and man the Lord is delivering a rebuke to his people here and it says, I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or for your burnt offerings which are continually before me.
[00:09:09] Now you won't hear many pastors bring this kind of rebuke today because usually in the church world I grew up in, if the pastor's kind of bringing a rebuke about giving, it's because people aren't giving.
[00:09:22] But here, God says, I'm not rebuking you for not giving.
[00:09:25] No, you are giving.
[00:09:26] In fact, he says here about your offerings, your sacrifices, your burnt offerings, which are continually before me.
[00:09:34] So the people were not only giving, they were giving consistently.
[00:09:39] They were following the rules.
[00:09:43] So why is God rebuking them?
[00:09:44] Verse 9, he says, I will not take a bull from your household or male goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
[00:09:54] I know every bird of the mountains and the creatures of the field are mine.
[00:09:59] If I were hungry, God says, listen, if I got the munchies and the refrigerator in heaven was empty, I'm not coming to you.
[00:10:10] If I'm hungry, says the Lord, if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine.
[00:10:21] It all belongs to me.
[00:10:25] This passage was written to God's people who were already giving.
[00:10:30] God rebukes them even though they're following the rules.
[00:10:33] The problem was their heart posture before the Lord.
[00:10:38] And before we get into some really practical things today, we've got to start with our heart.
[00:10:44] What is your heart posture around your finances, around your possessions when it comes to God?
[00:10:51] See, they felt like they were helping God out by making their sacrifices.
[00:10:56] They felt like they were doing God a favor.
[00:10:59] They had the wrong attitude or mindset toward their money.
[00:11:02] And whenever I'm talking to people about their money and about their giving, can I just tell you, it always makes me nervous when I'm talking to somebody and they start telling me how much they give.
[00:11:14] I've talked to wealthy people before about the topic of tithing and giving.
[00:11:21] Man, sometimes those wealthy people will tell me, yeah, but we give a lot.
[00:11:25] We give, I mean, we give a lot.
[00:11:27] I mean, we go above and beyond.
[00:11:29] I mean, we give a lot.
[00:11:30] And when people start telling me that they give a lot, I'm like, like, don't say that.
[00:11:39] Because it's just like, I want to get this straight.
[00:11:41] You give a lot to God?
[00:11:46] Like, really?
[00:11:48] Like, you're the one giving to Him a lot?
[00:11:53] Like, you're really generous to God?
[00:11:57] that's your attitude right really that's what you believe that you give a lot to God that makes me nervous y'all I don't think I would ever want to look at God and say man look how much I do for you God I give you a lot
[00:12:22] God, I didn't get such and such, and I just don't know where you get off, God.
[00:12:25] I mean, do you realize how generous I am to you?
[00:12:29] And none of us maybe would say those words out loud.
[00:12:35] I would hope not.
[00:12:37] If you say them near me, I'm gonna be like... Give some distance.
[00:12:45] Y'all didn't know I could move that fast, did you?
[00:12:47] You start talking about God like that, listen, you'll see me move real quick.
[00:12:52] Because lightning is real.
[00:12:53] Read your Bible.
[00:12:59] Our attitude towards our possessions should always be humility and thankfulness.
[00:13:05] Humility and thankfulness.
[00:13:07] Listen, C.S.
[00:13:08] Lewis, I love the way he says this in his book, Mere Christianity.
[00:13:12] He says every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment is given you by God.
[00:13:22] If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not already His.
[00:13:39] That's the attitude
[00:13:42] that we should have towards God.
[00:13:44] But listen, every single one of us has had a prideful or selfish attitude towards our possessions.
[00:13:51] And the gospel message tells me that in order to receive the benefits of the cross, I have to first be willing to admit and acknowledge I'm a sinner in need of a Savior.
[00:14:04] And you know what the good news is in the area of our stewardship and our finances?
[00:14:08] When we've mismanaged God's money, when we've had a prideful attitude, when we've had an entitled attitude, God owes me.
[00:14:15] Look how much I'm doing.
[00:14:16] I'm the owner.
[00:14:17] When we replace God as owner in our money, in our financial life, you know the good news is that we have a God that we can turn and repent to and say, God, I'm sorry.
[00:14:30] the good news is we can do that because he's not up in heaven ready to bash us ready to judge us ready to condemn us no he's ready to forgive us and embrace us and entrust us with the kingdom isn't that good news today that when i realize i'm slipping into this entitled attitude all i have to do is turn towards my father in heaven
[00:14:54] and He's not going to beat me.
[00:14:56] He's not going to bring judgment on me.
[00:14:59] He's a loving Father and He offers forgiveness.
[00:15:04] So now that my heart has changed, now that I'm a Christian and I realize, listen, I've got to reject this worldly logic that what's mine is mine and I have to embrace the kingdom logic as a believer that what is mine is actually His.
[00:15:21] What's mine is actually
[00:15:23] All right, the second principle we're going to look at today is worldly wealth, or worldly logic, excuse me, means wealth means freedom.
[00:15:38] And guys, can we be honest in God's house?
[00:15:44] We believe this.
[00:15:47] We do.
[00:15:48] Most of the time, I believe it.
[00:15:51] We believe that money equals freedom.
[00:15:54] we believe that we are sold that in every ad every commercial that is what our culture pushes on us and listen in the natural realm it's true if you got money you can kind of do what you want to do and so even as Christians we believe the worldly logic that tells us wealth means freedom but the kingdom logic says no no no wealth means responsibility wealth
[00:16:23] means responsibility let's look at first Timothy chapter six and we're going to start reading here in verse six it says but godliness with can yeah how help me is content Tim tim tim tim tim it come how you say it
[00:16:49] I can't say, I can't say it.
[00:16:51] It's like a cuss word, isn't it?
[00:16:52] It's like... Like, when I read it in my Bible, I don't even read it out loud.
[00:16:59] Like, I just skip over it.
[00:17:00] I read it silently before the Lord.
[00:17:04] Because as Christians, we don't like... We're Christians in here, but we're also Americans.
[00:17:09] Come on, somebody.
[00:17:10] Fourth of July, apple pie, come on, let's go.
[00:17:13] Football on Sunday.
[00:17:14] Like, we don't like that word.
[00:17:15] Contentment?
[00:17:18] No.
[00:17:19] Contentment.
[00:17:21] Like that's un-American.
[00:17:22] That's just of the devil.
[00:17:24] Get the no.
[00:17:25] But he says, but godliness with contentment is great gain.
[00:17:37] For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out.
[00:17:41] If we have food and clothing, we will be... What does it say?
[00:17:47] I'm going to let you all say it.
[00:17:50] With these.
[00:17:51] But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful
[00:18:03] Desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil and by craving it some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
[00:18:26] Listen, if I'm a Christian, should I desire to be rich?
[00:18:34] That went over about like I thought.
[00:18:38] Let me ask it again.
[00:18:39] If I'm a Christian, we just read a whole passage, y'all.
[00:18:42] It was so clear.
[00:18:43] I mean, my goodness.
[00:18:45] It was so clear.
[00:18:46] It was so clear, right?
[00:18:49] I could have read that to you in the Greek.
[00:18:50] You'd have understood it.
[00:18:51] Like, it's so clear.
[00:18:54] Let me ask you again.
[00:18:55] If we're Christians, should we desire to be rich?
[00:19:00] No.
[00:19:02] No, we should not.
[00:19:04] And right now, y'all are like, I guess he wants me to say no, I don't know.
[00:19:08] No, no.
[00:19:10] I see your faces.
[00:19:14] Y'all weren't like, no.
[00:19:15] You were like, no, no.
[00:19:19] But I'll take yours.
[00:19:23] The Bible's clear in many passages that the desire and the pursuit of wealth will lead me to temptation.
[00:19:29] It will generate other foolish and harmful desires and eventually will lead me to destruction.
[00:19:35] It is a trap.
[00:19:37] And my whole life, and this is why we are where we are in this service right now with y'all looking at me going, no, it's because
[00:19:45] Growing up in church, I've been in church my entire life.
[00:19:48] I've heard so many pastors talk about the dangers of money.
[00:19:52] But then as soon as we talk about the dangers of money, within two seconds we're going, but it's okay, it's okay, it's all right to be rich.
[00:19:58] It's not assumed to be rich.
[00:19:59] It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, right?
[00:20:02] Like we pull out of the scripture any real warning to the rich, to those pursuing or desiring to be rich.
[00:20:15] And so we hear this, but my whole life I've never been given application.
[00:20:20] Like, well, what does that mean then?
[00:20:22] Do I quit my job?
[00:20:24] Do I just give it all away?
[00:20:26] Do I not have money?
[00:20:27] Like when somebody gives me change back at McDonald's, do I just go throw it on the ground?
[00:20:31] Like, file money out of here.
[00:20:35] I rebuke you in Jesus' name.
[00:20:39] Like, does money eat?
[00:20:40] Like, I can't touch money?
[00:20:41] Like, what does this mean?
[00:20:42] What do I do with this?
[00:20:44] So I'm going to help you today.
[00:20:45] We're going to apply God's Word to three different people.
[00:20:50] Okay, three different people.
[00:20:51] So if you're taking notes, who are the three people?
[00:20:53] Number one is the chaser.
[00:20:56] Number two is the holder.
[00:20:58] and number three is the waster.
[00:21:00] The chaser, the holder and the waster.
[00:21:03] Now we're gonna start with the chaser.
[00:21:05] Who's the chaser?
[00:21:06] The chaser reads self-help books, listens to podcasts, works super hard, long hours, is always dreaming big, planning, setting goals.
[00:21:18] They aren't rich yet but they are chasing it hard and they love words like optimization.
[00:21:25] Pivot, Scalable, and Hustle.
[00:21:30] Some of you that are chasers in this room today, you could come to church for six months.
[00:21:35] We could have the best worship.
[00:21:36] I mean, angels could fly around the building and you could sit there with your hands in your pockets.
[00:21:41] But as soon as I said optimization, some of you were like, come on, somebody.
[00:21:46] Like, you start turning into T.D.
[00:21:47] Jakes.
[00:21:48] I could get up here, come on.
[00:21:49] We're gonna pivot your enterprise into a more efficient model so it will be scalable.
[00:21:54] Like, you wanna just jump out of your seat right now.
[00:21:56] Come on, Jesus!
[00:21:58] Like, you're so excited about the term scalable and optimization.
[00:22:03] Like, that just gets you going, right?
[00:22:07] You're fired up today.
[00:22:10] Money is a scoreboard and they need to win.
[00:22:14] Listen, be careful, be careful, be careful if you're chasing after wealth.
[00:22:23] The Bible says chasers are being lured into a trap.
[00:22:30] So do not chase wealth.
[00:22:34] And I'm gonna spend a minute here on chasers and I'm gonna be a little, I'm probably gonna be the toughest on chasers and I feel like I can be because I'm with you.
[00:22:43] I is one.
[00:22:45] I've been a chaser my whole life y'all like if you're a chaser in here like come on man like I'm with you I get it I've always been a chaser my personality if I take personality to I'm an achiever I'm a performer I'm a like like I'm fired up that's why I got a sweat rag today come on somebody like I get excited like I want to pursue something build something like I'm passionate
[00:23:09] And if you're a chaser, that's you, right?
[00:23:13] But we gotta acknowledge what the Word of God says to us about chasing after money.
[00:23:19] Because listen, as a Christian, I'm a chaser.
[00:23:21] Listen, I'm a good chaser.
[00:23:24] I'm so good as a chaser, I've learned how to chase and look humble while I'm doing it.
[00:23:29] I can come into the office, man, be number one one month, come into the office, everybody's like, man, you killed it, and I'm like,
[00:23:38] We got a good team.
[00:23:39] It's a team effort.
[00:23:41] It's all about the team.
[00:23:43] They're like, he's so humble.
[00:23:45] He's so humble.
[00:23:48] Because I've learned how to do it.
[00:23:49] I've been chasing a long time, right?
[00:23:51] And if you're a chaser, it's easy to get lured into this trap
[00:23:57] of chasing after money chasing after that scoreboard chasing after so what's the answer if you're a chaser is it to give up chasing and just go you know move back in with mom live in the basement play xbox all day is that the is that the goal like just you know don't worry about anything just give up you know no no no no no listen if you're a chaser let me be let me be abundantly clear do not stop chasing God made you a chaser
[00:24:29] God Almighty wired you to be a chaser, to be passionate, to pursue, to build, to achieve.
[00:24:39] But don't chase after money, chase after God.
[00:24:45] Pursue God.
[00:24:48] Psalms 42 verse 1, it says, As a deer pants for flowing streams,
[00:24:53] so pants my soul for you oh God what does that mean for a chaser it means listen you've got to be so desperately in love with Jesus you've got to pursue God with such a fervor such a passion such a white hot intensity that nothing else in your life stands a chance that I'm pursuing God with so much passion that everything else is a distant second
[00:25:21] That money can never get close to my commitment and my pursuit of Jesus.
[00:25:28] Chase after God.
[00:25:30] Secondly, chase after faithfulness.
[00:25:34] Chase after faithfulness.
[00:25:36] What does that mean?
[00:25:36] It means be your best.
[00:25:38] Be your best.
[00:25:39] You're wired to achieve, to develop, to grow, to try, to give maximum effort.
[00:25:44] Listen, there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's anchored in chasing God first and then chasing after faithfulness to who God's called you to be.
[00:25:56] God doesn't want you to be sloppy.
[00:25:59] God doesn't want you to be lackadaisical and lazy about your life.
[00:26:04] No, there's no value in that.
[00:26:06] He wants you to be your best.
[00:26:07] 1 Corinthians 4, verse 1 and 2, it says, This is how one should regard us as servants of Christ and stewards, managers of the mysteries of God.
[00:26:18] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found what?
[00:26:26] Faithful.
[00:26:29] Faithful means I do what I'm told, when I'm told, how I'm told.
[00:26:33] It means when God wires me for something, commissions me in something, puts a burden on my heart to do something, to become something, to pursue something, I give it my very best.
[00:26:45] I'm not slothful, I'm not lazy about it.
[00:26:49] Chase after faithfulness.
[00:26:51] And finally, here's that word again, chase contentment.
[00:26:56] Chase contentment.
[00:26:57] Why?
[00:26:58] Because God has given you enough.
[00:27:03] 1 Timothy 6.6, that verse we started with earlier, it says, But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[00:27:12] And let me talk to you for just a second, chasers.
[00:27:14] Let me tell you why this one is so hard and it's so important because Satan knows how you're wired.
[00:27:22] And what the enemy will do, if you're a chaser,
[00:27:26] is he will manipulate you into chasing after money.
[00:27:29] Because let's face it, there's no better scoreboard in life than money.
[00:27:33] If I got more money than you, I win, right?
[00:27:36] I can feel prideful.
[00:27:38] I can feel like, you know, no matter what, I can, hey, look at the scoreboard.
[00:27:43] I got more money.
[00:27:45] I'm on top, right?
[00:27:47] And Satan will manipulate your heart to get you to pursue after more money, more money, more money, more money.
[00:27:54] How does he do it?
[00:27:55] By whispering in your spiritual ears, I'm not enough.
[00:28:01] I don't have enough.
[00:28:03] I haven't done enough.
[00:28:06] I haven't accomplished enough.
[00:28:08] I don't have enough money in the bank I'm not high enough on the leaderboard I don't I'm not big enough my business isn't big enough I'm not enough and he'll say it so much you'll start saying it you'll start believing it out of your own mouth I'm not enough I haven't done enough I don't have enough I haven't achieved enough and soon you're gonna fall into that trap where Satan wants to manipulate your heart to chase after something to fulfill this insatiable desire this hole in your heart that you are not enough
[00:28:37] Can I just tell you today when Satan whispers that lie that I'm not enough and he won't say you're not enough he'll use your own voice he'll say I'm not enough he'll get you to say it he'll get you repeating it I'm not enough I haven't done enough can I tell you what to say when Satan just brings that to you whenever he brings that to me you're not enough
[00:29:02] I haven't done enough.
[00:29:03] I haven't achieved enough.
[00:29:04] You know what I can say?
[00:29:05] As I can say, you know what?
[00:29:06] That's absolutely right, devil.
[00:29:08] I'm not enough.
[00:29:10] I haven't done enough.
[00:29:12] I can't do enough.
[00:29:14] But Jesus is more than enough.
[00:29:18] I'm in Jesus, and if I belong to Him, if I have Jesus in my heart, you know what?
[00:29:23] I get up every day knowing I'm enough because God wanted me.
[00:29:28] God wanted me.
[00:29:29] God lives in me, and through Christ, I can do all things.
[00:29:35] So not only can I dismiss this lie that I'm not enough, I've got Jesus, and He's more than enough.
[00:29:44] So I don't have to chase after money.
[00:29:45] I can chase after God.
[00:29:48] The second person we have to talk to today and apply this scripture is the holder.
[00:29:52] Everybody say the holder.
[00:29:55] Now the holder is who we all want to be.
[00:29:57] The holder is already rich.
[00:30:00] And they must hold wealth with great humility.
[00:30:03] Now here's the truth guys.
[00:30:05] If you are a holder, the truth is wealth is heavy.
[00:30:12] Wealth is heavy.
[00:30:14] And listen, if it doesn't feel heavy, you're doing it wrong.
[00:30:22] You're doing it wrong.
[00:30:24] You're looking at it wrong.
[00:30:26] Financial wealth is a great responsibility.
[00:30:29] We're all going to stand before God one day and we're going to answer for every dollar that came into our life and how we managed it.
[00:30:37] How we were a steward of God's resources.
[00:30:42] So if I've got a little, man, I gotta answer for a little, but if I've got a lot, I'm gonna have to answer for a lot.
[00:30:50] That is a heavy responsibility.
[00:30:53] The Bible doesn't say, and I gotta be clear about this, it doesn't say being rich is wrong.
[00:30:59] It doesn't say that.
[00:31:00] You can read the Bible cover to cover.
[00:31:02] Nowhere in the Bible does it say being rich is wrong, but it does clearly say that pursuing or desiring to be rich is wrong.
[00:31:13] So maybe I just excelled at my career and money followed.
[00:31:16] Maybe I was a good steward.
[00:31:17] Maybe I invested wisely.
[00:31:18] Maybe I was a good manager of my money and I never chased after money, but now I have money.
[00:31:24] What then should I do?
[00:31:26] What's the answer if I'm rich?
[00:31:29] Should I drag a big pile of cash into the street and just set it on fire?
[00:31:35] Somebody liked that one.
[00:31:38] I'll tell you what I was thinking about this.
[00:31:40] What we ought to do as a church, and we'll do this here at Central Campus,
[00:31:43] is everybody at the campus listen we'll liquidate our assets so you sell your house cash in your 401k and listen let's not be silly about it no small bills let's do big bills but bring all cash 20s hundreds and i mean we'll bring duffel bags of cash and we'll call the news media and we'll pile it up up here like
[00:32:07] Harris Boulevard or something like right in a big intersection and we'll just pile all our money and we'll just douse it with gas and just set it on fire.
[00:32:17] Now who thinks that's a good idea?
[00:32:20] Nobody.
[00:32:20] There was one person that I believe south in campus that rose his hand, raised his hand, thought it was a good idea.
[00:32:27] We had the ushers remove him.
[00:32:29] He's out of the church now.
[00:32:31] He no longer attends.
[00:32:33] Dealt with that immediately.
[00:32:34] But listen.
[00:32:36] That's the dumbest idea in the world, right?
[00:32:38] We know that.
[00:32:39] None of us are gonna bring our money to just set the money on fire.
[00:32:42] That's not the answer.
[00:32:43] Then what is the answer?
[00:32:44] The next step, if I'm rich, if I've got a lot of wealth, then do I just give it all away?
[00:32:49] This scripture's pretty clear.
[00:32:53] There's warnings in Jesus and the rich young ruler, give it all away.
[00:32:56] I don't wanna be judged.
[00:32:58] What do I do?
[00:32:59] What do I do with all this money?
[00:33:01] Should I just give it all away?
[00:33:03] Well, the answer, honestly, guys, from my heart, the answer,
[00:33:07] is maybe maybe maybe you should but here's the questions you should ask number one do I have the capacity to steward or manage it well will I use wise judgment and my purchases and grow the resources God has entrusted to me all while consistently funding the kingdom can you commit to do that
[00:33:30] Will I be diligent to research and pray about where and how to invest in the kingdom?
[00:33:35] Like you're not going to be sloppy with it, but you're going to use God's money in a diligent way.
[00:33:40] You're going to pray.
[00:33:41] You're going to seek after God.
[00:33:42] Like you're going to be thoughtful about it.
[00:33:45] See, here's the truth, guys.
[00:33:46] For most holders, if you're in this room today and you're wealthy, you've got some money, God has entrusted you with wealth because you have an ability to make and manage money.
[00:33:59] You have a God-given ability to make or manage money.
[00:34:03] And when I'm up here saying, you know, wealth is heavy.
[00:34:06] It's a responsibility.
[00:34:07] What a lot of us in the room are thinking is, you know, if that money's too heavy for you, I could help you carry that burden.
[00:34:18] Like, that's a heavy burden.
[00:34:19] How about you carry half?
[00:34:21] and I'll carry half.
[00:34:23] Like just out of brotherly love for you.
[00:34:25] And you know why we start thinking thoughts like that?
[00:34:28] We get cynical about it like, yeah sure, money's really hard to be wealthy.
[00:34:33] Because we believe the lie of the world.
[00:34:36] We don't believe our Bible.
[00:34:38] When the Bible says, whoa, it's chasing, it's a trap, be careful, warn those who are rich not to trust in their money.
[00:34:47] It's a temptation, it's a weight, it's a response.
[00:34:49] We don't believe our Bible.
[00:34:52] We believe the world and the culture we live in more than we believe God.
[00:34:58] And so when we talk about these things, we get really cynical and judgy towards other people because we don't believe the book, what the Bible says.
[00:35:08] Now here's the final application if you're wealthy.
[00:35:12] Does that mean that money is some crushing burden that God put on you?
[00:35:16] No, no, no.
[00:35:18] Weight can be good.
[00:35:21] If you realize the responsibility of being wealthy, that you've been given the ability to make money, the ability to hold money, or maybe you were born into money and you have wealth and you have resources at your disposal.
[00:35:34] If you realize that that's a responsibility and a weight, let that weight push you into the presence of the Holy Spirit and keep you there.
[00:35:45] so that every day you wake up and you go man God's given me a lot Holy Spirit I need you today Holy Spirit I want to manage this wisely today Holy Spirit where do you want me to give today Holy Spirit how do I grow this for the kingdom today Holy Spirit where do you want me to invest God's money today Holy Spirit show me how to do this today and if the weight of the wealth that God has put into your life pushes you
[00:36:14] into continually abiding with the Spirit, talking to the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, then I say that can be a blessing in your life and in the lives of other people.
[00:36:26] Can I get an amen?
[00:36:28] The last person is the waster.
[00:36:31] Everybody say the waster.
[00:36:33] The waster hides their apathy, fear, or laziness behind a veneer of false humility.
[00:36:40] or Pride.
[00:36:40] They say things like, you know, I don't care about money, money.
[00:36:44] I don't need money.
[00:36:45] I mean, I'm good.
[00:36:47] Who needs money?
[00:36:47] I don't need money.
[00:36:48] God will provide.
[00:36:50] I'm not into this hustle culture stuff.
[00:36:53] Like, I'm not going to be all stressed out.
[00:36:54] Come on.
[00:36:56] I'm just waiting.
[00:36:57] I'm just waiting on the right opportunity.
[00:37:01] Well, have you put resumes out for a job?
[00:37:03] Well, you know, I mean, I'm just, I'll get to, I'm just waiting on the Lord.
[00:37:06] I mean, God's going to open the door.
[00:37:08] Right?
[00:37:09] Like I'm just trusting the Lord.
[00:37:11] I mean God's gonna give me the right opportunity.
[00:37:13] I don't want to stress myself out chasing after money.
[00:37:17] But the wasters should also be warned.
[00:37:23] There will be no gold stars handed out at the judgment for lack of effort.
[00:37:29] You're not going to get before the throne of God and God say, hey, bring some gold stars because Johnny didn't even try.
[00:37:35] Like, aw, little Johnny, like, good job.
[00:37:37] You didn't risk anything.
[00:37:38] You didn't try anything.
[00:37:39] You just stayed home and it was great.
[00:37:41] Like, no, that's not going to be how that works out.
[00:37:44] God's going to hold you to account not just for what you have to manage, but the potential for what you could have had to manage had you been faithful and obedient.
[00:37:55] So it's not just a matter of, well, I just, I don't have anything.
[00:37:58] I don't have a lot of money.
[00:37:59] Yeah, but could you?
[00:38:02] Are you lazy?
[00:38:03] Are you squandering opportunities that God has put in your life because you're afraid to try?
[00:38:08] 2 Thessalonians 3 verse 10 through 12, it says, In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you.
[00:38:16] If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat.
[00:38:22] For we hear that there are some among you who are idle.
[00:38:25] They are not busy, but busy bodies.
[00:38:29] Ouch.
[00:38:30] Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.
[00:38:40] It is our responsibility as Christians to work hard.
[00:38:46] And there is a difference between chasing after money and working hard.
[00:38:53] We're not called to chase money, but we are called, remember, to chase faithfulness.
[00:38:58] That's hard work and excellence.
[00:39:01] So if you're a Christian in here today, don't be a waster.
[00:39:04] Don't waste the opportunities that God has deposited inside of you.
[00:39:08] Don't be afraid to try.
[00:39:10] Don't be timid.
[00:39:11] Go out there and do something with what God has given you because you will give an account not just for what you have, but what you could have had if you were obedient.
[00:39:23] to the Lord.
[00:39:23] Chasers, don't stop chasing.
[00:39:26] Just change what you're chasing.
[00:39:28] Holders, don't guard your treasure.
[00:39:30] Grow the kingdom.
[00:39:31] And wasters, wake up and get to work.
[00:39:35] We should have a church full of chasers passionately pursuing Jesus and holders not guarding their treasure but growing the kingdom and very little to no wasters.
[00:39:44] You might be a waster today but I would dare say if you attend a good church or in a good community with people who love you, encourage you, preach the truth of God's Word, you should not be able to stay a waster for long.
[00:39:58] That's not the culture of the kingdom.
[00:40:00] Alright, the final principle today is worldly logic says more
[00:40:05] is better but kingdom logic says enough is best.
[00:40:12] Enough is best.
[00:40:14] Luke 12 15 he then told them watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions.
[00:40:27] More is not always better.
[00:40:29] Enough is always
[00:40:32] Best.
[00:40:33] Enough doesn't mean that I never spend another dollar or buy another thing.
[00:40:37] It means my heart is content with the lifestyle and the possessions that I have.
[00:40:42] It doesn't mean that things can't change or improve in my finances.
[00:40:46] What it does mean is that I don't need them to be better for me to be happy.
[00:40:53] I don't need a better car, a new car, a bigger house, a better this, this trip, this line of clothing, this promotion, this money, this raise.
[00:41:02] I don't need any of that in order to be content in my heart.
[00:41:08] I don't need those things Philippians 4 11 through 13 it says I don't say this out of need for I have learned this is the Apostle Paul to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself I know how to make do with a little I know how to make do with a lot in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content whether well-fed or hungry whether in abundance or in need
[00:41:36] I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me if you want to understand the concept of contentment there is one word to focus on and that word is enough if you look that word up that is the the basis of that word contentment it's enough
[00:41:59] It's a feeling of enough.
[00:42:00] It's an acknowledgement of enough.
[00:42:02] It's an affirmation of enough, that God's enough, that I have enough, that it's enough.
[00:42:09] It doesn't mean I don't keep living, I don't keep trying, but I don't have to chase after something because my heart is full.
[00:42:16] It's not empty without that thing, without that new car, this bigger, better.
[00:42:23] I don't have to chase that.
[00:42:27] I have enough.
[00:42:28] We can live with contentment because that hole in our heart has been filled.
[00:42:33] When you're a Christian, you come in here today and maybe you're like, man, I'm checking this stuff out, this face stuff out, and you know.
[00:42:42] What do you mean?
[00:42:43] Because it's so contrary to the logic of this world.
[00:42:46] But the example we should be setting as Christians is that no matter how it goes at work, no matter how it goes for us personally, that we always model a thankfulness and a contentment, a quietness of life, that no matter what happens, you know what?
[00:43:02] All is well with my soul.
[00:43:06] That I'm going to be okay, that I've got peace in the middle of the storm.
[00:43:12] So if we can live this way with contentment, how do we practically live this out?
[00:43:19] Now I've got a few questions I'm going to end with today.
[00:43:21] I'd encourage you to write these down.
[00:43:23] These are questions I have to ask myself.
[00:43:25] These are questions I would encourage you to write down and revisit often.
[00:43:32] Because these are questions to make sure you're not chasing after money, that you're being a wise steward, that you're making sure God's the owner and you're the manager.
[00:43:41] You're not slipping over into God's role.
[00:43:44] So what are these questions?
[00:43:45] Number one, is my lifestyle outpacing my giving?
[00:43:53] Is my lifestyle outpacing my giving?
[00:43:58] Now, I can't take credit for this one.
[00:43:59] I got this one from my son.
[00:44:01] He and I were walking recently.
[00:44:03] We'd had lunch together.
[00:44:04] We were in a parking lot and I was talking to him about money.
[00:44:07] He's starting to work and make a little bit of money here and there.
[00:44:10] I was like what do you think about this and how much is too much to spend on yourself and I mean I'm asking him some hard questions and can I just tell you that conversation did not go at all like I thought it would go I thought he would be kind of like you know well I don't know that's hard I don't I don't really know you know he's young I thought he'd be a little more self you know like well I need this I need that he stops me in the middle of the parking lot and gives me a full-on mini sermon
[00:44:38] and he's like well first dad I would ask this question and then this question and then this I mean it was good if he would have taken up an offering I'd have given right then like he had me it was good I was like come on my son can preach this is great and so I took this was his first question and I thought it was brilliant because I'm like man what a great way to look at it is is my lifestyle outpacing my giving what does that mean it means if you drive a Bentley give like you drive a Bentley
[00:45:08] Don't give like you drive a Honda if you're rolling up to church in a Bentley.
[00:45:16] If you come to our church in a Bentley, listen, I'm not judging you.
[00:45:19] I don't know how you got that.
[00:45:21] You could be a billionaire.
[00:45:22] I don't know.
[00:45:23] There's no judgment.
[00:45:25] But in your heart, make sure your lifestyle never outpaces your giving.
[00:45:31] The second question, am I a good steward with what I already have?
[00:45:37] Am I stressed out about bills or debt?
[00:45:39] Listen, if you're in debt and it stresses you out, stop!
[00:45:44] Don't go get more!
[00:45:46] The first step of getting out of a hole, stop digging!
[00:45:52] Give somebody else the shovel, come on!
[00:45:56] Because some of us are deep in a hole and it keeps getting deeper because we like shoes.
[00:46:03] Come on.
[00:46:05] I had mortgage clients years ago and they were going to build this really nice custom home and they had gotten a deal on this land and they were trying to figure out if they could afford it and I went through all their finances and all their stuff and I'm like,
[00:46:20] Y'all are fine.
[00:46:21] I don't even understand.
[00:46:21] What are y'all here for?
[00:46:22] You're good.
[00:46:23] You could build two of these houses.
[00:46:26] And they're like, yeah, but we really don't want our payment to be too high and all this stuff.
[00:46:30] And I'll never forget.
[00:46:31] I kept looking at the wife.
[00:46:33] She had this funny look on her face.
[00:46:34] And I kept looking at her.
[00:46:35] I'm like, just help me.
[00:46:37] No judgment.
[00:46:39] What are you worried about?
[00:46:40] Where is all your money going?
[00:46:41] Because y'all make great money.
[00:46:43] And she kind of...
[00:46:47] And I said, it's okay.
[00:46:48] It's your money.
[00:46:48] You can spend whatever you want.
[00:46:49] And she goes, shoes.
[00:46:54] I really like shoes.
[00:46:56] And I'm like, great.
[00:46:58] Like, you know, you don't need a bigger house.
[00:47:00] Live in the house you're in.
[00:47:01] You know, I guess create a building for your shoes.
[00:47:05] I don't know.
[00:47:07] Are my possessions already too much to keep up with?
[00:47:10] Are you stressed out?
[00:47:12] Managing your house, your property, your car, your this, your that.
[00:47:16] Listen, do I have a storage unit or two or four?
[00:47:23] Nothing wrong with having a storage unit.
[00:47:25] Maybe you sold an antique business recently and you need a place to park all the merchandise.
[00:47:32] But some of us have been living in a big old house for 10 years and we still have three storage units full of stuff we've never even looked at.
[00:47:37] And here's the insidious thing.
[00:47:42] We know we've got the three storage units full of stuff we don't need.
[00:47:46] And we still want more.
[00:47:49] We're still buying more stuff.
[00:47:52] Stop.
[00:47:54] Stop.
[00:47:55] Will this purchase help me fulfill God's calling?
[00:47:59] Or will it just feed my comfort?
[00:48:03] Have I prayed about this move or this purchase?
[00:48:07] Do I have peace?
[00:48:11] Don't make a big move until you have the peace of God.
[00:48:14] Don't do it.
[00:48:15] You'll regret it every time.
[00:48:17] Do I have peace?
[00:48:18] And finally, do I have agreement?
[00:48:22] What does that mean?
[00:48:24] It means do I have agreement with my spouse, with a financial advisor, with a spiritual leader or friend?
[00:48:30] It doesn't mean you have to come to church and ask the pastor, like, hey, can I buy a new car?
[00:48:36] But do you have an accountability
[00:48:38] Partner, a brother in the Lord that prays with you, a sister in the Lord that prays with you, that you can go to and say, man, I'm thinking about this job offer out of town.
[00:48:47] I'm thinking about buying this house.
[00:48:48] I'm thinking about doing this.
[00:48:49] I'm thinking about mom and dad and the next steps and what we need to do.
[00:48:53] Do you have somebody you can pray with that will agree with you and give you wise counsel?
[00:48:59] and if everybody in your life that you know and trust is screaming don't do it no listen that's a good indication that you're not using wisdom and you need to pump the brakes don't do it seek agreement remember God owns it all I'm just managing his resources wealth isn't my freedom
[00:49:20] It's my responsibility.
[00:49:22] It's weight.
[00:49:23] It's a responsibility we have to take seriously.
[00:49:26] And true freedom, true freedom comes from contentment, not accumulation.
[00:49:32] You're never gonna buy your way to happiness.
[00:49:34] You're never gonna buy your way to peace.
[00:49:36] That is a lie.
[00:49:39] The answer is having that peace in your heart that comes from the Lord.
[00:49:43] Will you stand on your feet with me today?
[00:49:52] I'm going to ask you to take just a moment to bow your head, to close your eyes.
[00:49:58] We're talking about stewardship today, managing money.
[00:50:02] Did you know that stewardship always, always, always starts with the heart?
[00:50:08] It starts with the heart.
[00:50:09] Who owns your heart?
[00:50:14] Jesus paid for it.
[00:50:16] He went to the cross, He bled and He died to purchase you, to redeem you out of the slavery of sin.
[00:50:23] To rescue you from an eternity without God.
[00:50:29] To rescue you from you.
[00:50:33] He paid that price so that he could have your heart so that you could have this relationship with God but have you handed over the goods have you given him your heart have you acknowledged what he did for you you come to terms with that in your life I'm going to give you a moment today before we end our service we're going to take just a moment and give you that opportunity now if you're joining us joining with us online you have this opportunity as well we want to pray with you
[00:51:02] But if you're in this building today and you've never given Jesus Christ your heart, He's not the owner today.
[00:51:09] I want to invite you to do that right now.
[00:51:14] To confess your sins to God, to ask for His forgiveness, to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.
[00:51:19] And the Bible says when you do that,
[00:51:22] When you believe in your heart and you confess with your mouth, the Bible promises you will be saved.
[00:51:30] That means God puts a new heart inside you.
[00:51:32] He comes to live with you.
[00:51:33] You can have that right now.
[00:51:34] You can access that gift right now, right now today, if you'll simply believe.
[00:51:41] If that's you and you're in this room and you say, yes, I want Jesus to be the Lord of my life.
[00:51:47] I want Him to be the owner of my heart.
[00:51:49] If that's you, would you just be bold right now and lift up your hand?
[00:51:52] just lift up your hand and say yes to God and if you're online there's a button you can click in the chat to digitally raise your hand we have folks that will pray with you that will connect with you amen church let's pray let's pray this together everyone in the room just say this out loud say father God thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin I acknowledge and I receive
[00:52:22] that gift of grace you did it now I receive it by faith I believe in you I trust you right now I ask you Holy Spirit live inside of me fill me up give me a new heart in Jesus name amen amen