Money Dangers

Date: 1 August, 2019 

Text: Luke 12:13-34

Title: Money Dangers

 

 

Introduction:

 

If you follow the news at all you have heard that the pound is hitting historic lows against the dollar.

 

ill. Our new prime minister - Boris Johnson - is taking a hard stand on Brexit seeking to get the EU back to the negotiating table. To do so, they are preparing they say for a hard brexit. (Exiting the EU without agreements on trade, immigration, etc....)

 

exp. Many people are concerned about this because they aren't getting as much money when they go on their holiday to the USA.

 

note: When people tell us that they go to the USA - there are certain places they go - and they all take a lot of money.

Florida - Disney World is even more expensive per ticket.

New York City - The shows and the shopping are more expensive.

Los Vegas - they are losing money before they even go there.

 

Why do people even care? After all - it's just money!

 

ill. ipsos mori - poll - What worries the world? March 2018

New global poll finds three concerns top the world’s worry list: financial/political corruption (35%), unemployment (34%) and poverty/social inequality (34%).

 

Did you notice that all three things listed are financial?

 

There is a saying, "Money makes the world go round."

exp. Much of life revolves around this commodity - if everything using money in Edinburgh stopped - the city would shut down. 

 

note: Since money is such an important reality and concern - we ought not be suprised that Jesus had a lot to say about money.

 

Our text: Luke 12:13-34

 

exp. If you have a red letter edition of the Bible (words of Jesus in red) you'll notice that Luke 12 is almost all red - these are the words of Jesus. In this passage Jesus deals with... 

THE DANGERS OF MONEY 

which we are going to encapsulate under 4 headings.

 

I. Money danger 1: The danger of disconent. (covetousness)

 exp. This danger is to all men - believers and unbelievers - who want what other's have.

A. A feeling that you deserve what other's possess.

13  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

exp. this man likely didn't think God's law was fair in giving the firstborn a double portion of the inheritance. HE THOUGHT HE DESERVED AS MUCH AND DEMANDED GOD GET IT FOR HIM.

 text: 14  And he (JESUS) said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

exp. Jesus answered him with the words said to Moses as he sought to divide fighting brothers. Those men didn't want Moses to interfere. This man wouldn't want Jesus to interfere. NOR WOULD JESUS INTERFERE TO SATISFY THIS MAN'S COVETOUS HEART.

 question: Why did Jesus refuse to help him? Because Christianity is not a tool for the covetous.

ill. Like a child at a birthday party - thrilled with his piece of cake, until he sees how big a piece someone else gets. Now he can't be happy with his cake because other's have more cake.

 question: are you happy with your cake or demanding that God give you more?

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

app. Watch out for the danger of discontent! A feeling that you deserve to have what other's possess.

B. A feeling that you can't live without having what other's have.

15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

exp. Some people have some nice things - watching classics and sports cars go past us on the motorway. I don't have a sports car.

question: Does it matter that I drive a mini bus and not a sports car?

 ill. Pulled up to the pump at Asda in my mini bus - beside a man in a bright orange audi sport car. I said, "Want to trade?"

exp. I wasn't really interested as it would be hard to put our 8 people in his two seater.

exp. Covetousness says, "You can't live without it." But, God says YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT IT. 

ill. Our trip to Germany was eventful - 4 closed roads, just missing a ferry, 6 hours of heavy rain, tailbacks.... 

exp. Katie reminded me - What is important is not when we get there but that we get there safely.

note: There are a lot of things in life more important that - that house, car, watch, shirt, etc.

app. Are you content with what God has given to you? THINGS ARE NOT ONLY UNIMPORTANT - THEY CAN KEEP MEN FROM WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT.

1.) The danger of discontent - 2.) The danger of damnation.

 

 

 II. Money danger 2: The danger of damnation.

exp. This danger is to unbelievers who have great riches. THEIR RICHES KEEP THEM FROM FAITH IN JESUS.

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

ill. The rich young ruler - Matthew 19:

16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

app. Friend - you may not be rich like Bill Gates - but you are rich in this world's goods. The danger is that YOU TRUST IN YOUR RICHES INSTEAD OF TRUSTING IN JESUS.

A. Do not forget the source of all wealth.

16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

exp. Ground can bring forth wealth. 

 ill. One of the last of the old wester cowboys was a man named Charlie Lemon. He was in my dad's church in Durango Colorado. When I was in high school he was still doing cattle drives on horseback from his lower winter range to his upper summer range. Louis Lamour - offered him several thousand dollars to go on the cattle drive - Charlie turned him down. He didn't need the money - they had found oil on his land and his wells were paying him 1,000's of dollars a month.

 question: Who put that oil in the ground? What was the source of Charlie's blessing?

app. Do you give God thank for what He has given to you? Or have you forgotten the source of your wealth? The man in danger of damnation refuses to see that He only has what He possesses because of the goodness of God.

B. Do not live as if your wealth is your security.

18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

 exp. He didn't thank God for what He had or trust God for future provision. He would manage his own wealth and make it as secure as he could. He has a plan and it does not include God.

ill. It is foolish to trust for security in anything man can build.

"An unknown Titanic crew member is reported to have once said to embarking passenger, Mrs. Sylvia Caldwell, “God himself could not sink this ship!”

"She was equipped with a double-plated bottom and sixteen watertight compartments on the hull of the ship with doors that would close if water entered them, allowing the Titanic to stay afloat. This was designed to provide the utmost in security."

exp. She sank in two hours and 40 minutes after striking the iceberg.

 app. You could try to trust in your financial barns, but what are you going to do when the market crumbles. Big barns are very poor security!

C. Do not selfishly indulge your flesh with your wealth.

19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

 exp. The man in danger of damnation -  doesn't care about investing in God's work or in helping the poor. He just cares about satisfying his flesh with the things money can by.

 ill. Do you remember when bottled water first came out - I thought it was ridiculous - like someone paying for air.

The most expensive bottled water in the world - 

Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani – $60,000 Per 750ml

At $60,000 per 750ml, Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani is the most expensive bottled water in all the world. The water comes from a natural springs in Fiji and France and has been bottled in a 24 karat gold bottle. The packaging is one of the most expensive parts of the water product, though it is said to have a distinct, tantalizing flavor and softness to the pallet that will impress even the biggest bottled water connoisseurs.

question: Should someone spend money like this on water when some people in the world have no food and child poverty is so high?

 app. The man in the money danger of damnation lives his life oppolently and wastefully.

D. Do not forget that money can't be taken into eternity.

20  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 

21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

exp. He died - what was the point of his life? How did it impact his eternity.

 ill. Jesus a few chapter's later - tells a story about a rich man who died and went to hell.

Luke 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

app. You can't take it with you. Don't let it keep you from having a soul prepared to meet God.

conclusion: Hell is going to be full of people who lived for things instead of living for God.

Money danger 1 - Discontent

Money danger 2 - Damnation

Money danger 3 - Doubt

 

III. Money danger 3: The danger of doubt.

exp. This danger is to believers who do not have a lot of money and are tempted to doubt God's ability to provide.

 note: Many who become disciples of the Lord Jesus aren't going to be rich in the things of this life.

 text: 22  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

exp. Riches have a danger and so does poverty.

ill. Agur's proverb - Proverbs 30:8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

app. Those who have little need to trust in God for their provision.

A. Do not doubt that God will provide food for you.

note: Praying for God's provision is Biblical - the model prayer

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.

 exp. It is not a bad thing to be dependent upon God for His daily provision.

1. Don't doubt God's supply - He even feeds the birds.

24  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

exp. We've got a lot of birds by our home. 

1.) They don't have barns like the rich man.

2.) They are given food daily (bugs and seeds.) 

 exp. The disciples were stepping out by faith and having to trust in God's privision. Every time they lacked food and they saw a bird Jesus would have them remember God would provide for their need.

 ill. Pizza story - dad found a pizza by the side of the road. Jonathan was sworn to secrecy - "Bet you don't know where we got this pizza?"

app. In our day it is very rare for us to have to test God's ability to provide and yet God's Word tells us that GOD WILL MEET OUR NEED FOR FOOD.

2. Don't doubt God's supply - doubt changes nothing but your peace of mind.

25  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

ill. At camp - Mark Poorman Jr. and his wife Anne. She was taller than him in junior high. That wouldn't have happened if he could do anything about it. BUT HE COULDN'T and neither can you or I. 

 app. God says our stature is the least of things - but we can't control that - GOD DOES - why do we worry about our provision which is also in God's care.

B. Do not doubt that God will clothe you.

27  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

ill. A lily doesn't work to be beautifully attired. Solomon's clothes were not so fine. God does this for the very short life of the lily - why won't you trust God to meet your need for clothing?

 app. There is a money danger that comes to those who don't have a lot of money - it is the danger of doubt!

29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

hymn lyrics - tell it to Jesus

Do you fear the gath’ring clouds of sorrow?

Tell it to Jesus,

Tell it to Jesus;

 

Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus alone.

 

Refrain:

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a friend that’s well-known;

You’ve no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone.

 

IV. Money danger 4: The danger of deception.

exp. The deception of living for time instead of for eternity. (Unlike the unbelieving rich man - this is a warning to believers who live for time instead of eternity.)

1. Don't be deceived - The world is consumed with money. (Christians should not be.)

30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

exp. Praise God - our world is having their faith in money shaken - Brexit - council cutbacks.... Why is this good - because riches take a lot of people to hell.

 app. But, Christians ought not be sour faced because of these same things. Why? Because God, not a strong economy, meets your needs. DON'T BE DECEIVED - TRUST GOD!

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2. Don't be deceived - God will meet your needs IF you put Him first.

31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

exp. Christian - are you anxious this morning about clothing, food/ money? Is God first in your life?

Philippians 4:19 - is a promise to those who have put God first in their finances.

16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

app. One of the best ways to get rid of anxiety of money is to put God first in your finances. Don't be deceived - God will meet your needs IF you put him first.

3. Don't be deceived - God has already promised to give you His kingdom.

32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

ill. singspiration in Germany - I've got a mansion, just over the hilltop in that bright land where, we'll never grow old, and some day yonder, we will never more wonder, but walk the streets that are purest gold.

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 app. Don't be deceived into covetousness. A Christian need not covet, God has promised to give us of His best in Heaven.

4. Don't be deceived - invest money in eternity where it can not waste.

33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

exp. If you don't have a disposable income to give to God's work - Jesus said - sell something so that you can give.

 ill. Pastor in Florida - voice cracking with emotion as he said he was going to sell his Harley (they would take holidays on their motor bikes) for the church building program.

app. What have you invested of your earthly treasure in eternity? ETERNITY IS THE ONLY SECURE INVESTMENT OF EARTHLY MONEY. Your deceived if you think this isn't true!

5. Don't be deceived - your treasure reflects your heart.

34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

question: Have you ever tried petting a cat backwards? 

exp. Does talking about giving - rub you the wrong way. Does it make your fur stick up?

app. Your heart isn't going to be into giving to God's work IF YOUR TREASURE IS ON EARTH. Your deceived if you think God is ok with not using the money He gave you in His work!

 

Conclusion:

Money is a really big deal in our world.

 

Jesus has a lot to say about the dangers of money!

 

1.) The danger of discontent. 

- believers and unbelievers wanting the money and things which other's have.

 

2.) The danger of damnation - unbelievers who trust money instead of God.

 

3.) The danger of doubt. - believers who worry and trust money instead of God.

 

4.) The danger of deception. - believers who don't invest money in eternity.

 

Are you in danger this morning?