Summit Church
Counterfeit Faith Pt 3 | Misguided by Greed | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Jude 1:3-7, 11
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”
Big Idea: Self deception is the most dangerous kind because it’s the most difficult to recognize.
Greed lowers our resistance to making bad decisions.
Balaam’s Three Mistakes:
* Mistake #1 – Trying to Serve Two Masters:
Although God told Balaam not to go with Balak’s messengers or curse Israel (“for they are blessed,” Numbers 22:12), Balaam’s heart was drawn to the wealth and honor Balak offered. He repeatedly sought permission to go, hoping he could honor God and make some side hustle.
* Mistake #2 – Posing Obedience While Searching for Loopholes:
Balaam outwardly spoke God’s words of blessing, but inwardly desired the reward and looked for loopholes to satisfy both God and Balak.
* Mistake #3 – Corrupting Others into Compromise:
Later, Balaam advised Balak that if Israel couldn’t be cursed, they could be corrupted (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Balaam taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to Idols and committed sexual immorality. This led to a plague among God's people at Peor.
Balaam’s Three Mistakes:
* Mistake #1 – Trying to Serve Two Masters:
Although God told Balaam not to go with Balak’s messengers or curse Israel (“for they are blessed,” Numbers 22:12), Balaam’s heart was drawn to the wealth and honor Balak offered. He repeatedly sought permission to go, hoping he could honor God and make some side hustle.
* Mistake #2 – Posing Obedience While Searching for Loopholes:
Balaam outwardly spoke God’s words of blessing, but inwardly desired the reward and looked for loopholes to satisfy both God and Balak.
* Mistake #3 – Corrupting Others into Compromise:
Later, Balaam advised Balak that if Israel couldn’t be cursed, they could be corrupted (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14). Balaam taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to Idols and committed sexual immorality. This led to a plague among God's people at Peor.
Six Scary Signs of Greed That Counterfeits My Faith:
1. I make most decisions based on their Financial Impact
1 Timothy 6:9
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
1 Timothy 6:9
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
2. I tend to put financial opportunity above Family and Health
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
Proverbs 23:4-5
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
3. I often experience Destination Disease
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.”
If you seek wealth, you get trouble. If you seek the Lord, you get wealth without trouble.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.”
If you seek wealth, you get trouble. If you seek the Lord, you get wealth without trouble.
4. I’d rather be a Liar than be Poor
Proverbs 19:22
“It is better to be poor than a liar.”
God does have a plan for growing your wealth:
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
Proverbs 19:22
“It is better to be poor than a liar.”
God does have a plan for growing your wealth:
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
5. I have a history of Conflict over money
Proverbs 28:25
“A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.”
Proverbs 17:1
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Proverbs 28:25
“A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.”
Proverbs 17:1
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
6. I plan to be generous Someday
Proverbs 28:22
“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.”
Generosity precedes wealth…it rarely follows it.
Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Proverbs 28:22
“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.”
Generosity precedes wealth…it rarely follows it.
Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
Greed Protection:
1. Run!
Greed is not something to Resist - it’s something to Run From
1 Timothy 6:10-11
“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. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
1. Run!
Greed is not something to Resist - it’s something to Run From
1 Timothy 6:10-11
“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. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
2. Practice Irrational Generosity.
Greed and generosity cannot Co-exist
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Greed and generosity cannot Co-exist
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Response:
Reflect: Are you living for this life or for The LORD?
Refuse to put your Hope in wealth
Actively place your Hope in God
Reflect: Are you living for this life or for The LORD?
Refuse to put your Hope in wealth
Actively place your Hope in God
Discussion Guide
Icebreaker Question:
Tell of a time when you convinced yourself that something you wanted was also what God wanted. How did that turn out?
Discussion Questions:
The Big Idea: Self-deception is the most dangerous kind because it’s the hardest to recognize.
Like Balaam, we can wrap selfish desires in the language of faith and call it obedience.
1. What does it mean to wrap carnal desires in the language of Faith? Where do you see that temptation in yourself or in modern culture?
2. Why do you think self-deception is harder to identify than being deceived by someone else?
3. Balaam knew God's will but kept asking for loopholes. Why do we sometimes look for permission to do what God already said "No" to?
4. What does Balaam's story teach us about trying to serve two masters - God and Self?
5. Since Balaam couldn't curse Israel, he taught Balak to lead them into compromise. Moral compromise can destroy what external enemies cannot. What are some examples of this truth in our time?
6. Of the Six Signs of Greed, which one challenges or convicts you most right now - and why?
- I make most decisions based on their financial impact
- I tend to put financial opportunity above family and health
- I often experience Destination Disease
- I'd rather be a liar than be poor
- I have a history of conflict over money
- I plan to be generous someday
7. How does greed counterfeit genuine faith? What does it promise that it cannot deliver?
8. Why does Scripture say to flee greed rather than simply resist it? (1 Timothy 6:10-11)
9. What does running from Greed look like practically?
10. What would it look like in your life to practice irrational generosity? How might that loosen greed's grip on your heart?
Tell of a time when you convinced yourself that something you wanted was also what God wanted. How did that turn out?
Discussion Questions:
The Big Idea: Self-deception is the most dangerous kind because it’s the hardest to recognize.
Like Balaam, we can wrap selfish desires in the language of faith and call it obedience.
1. What does it mean to wrap carnal desires in the language of Faith? Where do you see that temptation in yourself or in modern culture?
2. Why do you think self-deception is harder to identify than being deceived by someone else?
3. Balaam knew God's will but kept asking for loopholes. Why do we sometimes look for permission to do what God already said "No" to?
4. What does Balaam's story teach us about trying to serve two masters - God and Self?
5. Since Balaam couldn't curse Israel, he taught Balak to lead them into compromise. Moral compromise can destroy what external enemies cannot. What are some examples of this truth in our time?
6. Of the Six Signs of Greed, which one challenges or convicts you most right now - and why?
- I make most decisions based on their financial impact
- I tend to put financial opportunity above family and health
- I often experience Destination Disease
- I'd rather be a liar than be poor
- I have a history of conflict over money
- I plan to be generous someday
7. How does greed counterfeit genuine faith? What does it promise that it cannot deliver?
8. Why does Scripture say to flee greed rather than simply resist it? (1 Timothy 6:10-11)
9. What does running from Greed look like practically?
10. What would it look like in your life to practice irrational generosity? How might that loosen greed's grip on your heart?
4. I’d rather be a Liar than be Poor
Proverbs 19:22
“It is better to be poor than a liar.”
God does have a plan for growing your wealth:
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
Proverbs 19:22
“It is better to be poor than a liar.”
God does have a plan for growing your wealth:
Proverbs 13:11
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”