Mission Hills Church
Did you know the Bible talks about money and possessions over 800 times? It’s not because God needs our money…it’s because God wants us to be free from its potentially crushing burden. Whether you feel like you have too much or too little, money can exact a powerful toll on your life. So, join us to learn how biblical principles for managing worldly wealth can set you free for the life God always intended.
As Jesus started on his way… (Mark 10:17a)
Jesus is a moving target, so mobility is a must.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. (Mark 10:17b)
"Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17c)
Religion says that eternal life is the reward for doing enough good things.
Religion never produces confidence.
Mark 10:18 NIV
Jesus is saying that goodness isn't something that gets us to God, it's something we get from Him..
Mark 10:19 NIV
Mark 10:20 NIV
Religion produces uncertainty…only a relationship produces confidence.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. (Mark 10:21a)
God is giving us the green light for a relationship with Him.
"One thing you lack," Jesus said. (Mark 10:21b)
Better: "One thing is holding you back."
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21c)
Mark 1:16-18 NIV
Mark 2:14 NIV
Mark 10:22 NIV
Saying “yes” to following Jesus requires saying “no” to whatever holds us back.
Salvation comes from following Jesus.
Jesus is a moving target.
We have to get free from anything that holds us back from following Jesus wherever he leads.
Money is a dangerous gift because it has the power to hold us back from following the Giver.
The real problem isn’t how much wealth we own but how much our wealth owns us.
Generosity is the key to having money without being held back by it.
1. Remember that money is God’s gift to us.
2. Practice gratitude for what God has given.
Gratitude is what makes our stuff…enough.
3. Develop God-honoring approaches to handling money.
Give first, save second, live on the rest.
// Giving first honors God.
// Saving second practices wisdom.
// Living on the rest builds contentment.
4. Take the next step of generosity.
// If you’re not giving anything, start giving something.
// If you’re giving something, start giving a percentage.
// If you’re giving a percentage, start giving a tithe.
10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty," 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." (Malachi 3:10)
// If you’re giving a tithe, start practicing Spirit-led sacrificial giving.
1. What is (or has the potential) to hold me back from following Jesus?
2. What is God calling me to do to be free from its power in my life?
3. What is the next step of generosity God is calling me to take so that money isn’t the thing holding me back?