Hetty Green is known as "America's Greatest Miser". She died in 1916 and left an estate worth over $100 million. She ate her oatmeal cold, because it cost to heat it. Her son's leg was amputated because she took so long searching for a free clinic.
It’s crazy for someone who had so much to think the benefit is to keep it well.
It is our mission to inspire and empower people to become OUTRAGEOUSLY LOVING people who PASSIONATELY PURSUE the Lord with IRRATIONALLY GIVING lifestyles as we CONSISTENTLY SUBMIT to God’s desires and EFFECTIVELY DISCIPLE others to do the same.
Proverbs clearly teaches us that spiritual health is of greater value than material wealth.
Proverbs 3:1-10 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. ESV
The purpose of money is to expand God’s Kingdom in the earth, and this happens from within. God desires to do a deep work within us awakening what it means live in light of eternity.
Leonard Ravenhill said, “Five minutes inside eternity and we will wish that we had sacrificed more, wept more, grieved more, loved and prayed more, and given more.”
The way we handle our money is probably the truest indicator of the spiritual condition of the heart.
The Bible contains more than 500 references to prayer and almost 500 references to faith, but there are more than 2,000 references to money and possessions. It is important that we understand God's purposes for money and His wisdom behind those purposes.
As we’ve been reading through the Book of Proverbs there have been various verses about personal finance. These are seven ways people view the purpose of money:
The Hoarder – money gives me security so the more I have the safer I feel.
The Spender – money gives me rewards to splurge on myself because I deserve it.
The Avoider – money and bills stress me out so I try and ignore financial matters
The Misinterpreter – money is evil and dangerous and therefore should be given away and not kept
The Manipulator – money buys me influence/control over other people so that I can get them to benefit me in some way.
The Bragger – money gives me status through possessions that I can flaunt to other people so that they are impressed by me
The Giver – An upside-down world loves money and uses people. A right-side up Kingdom loves God and loves people and then uses money to express that love.
Deuteronomy 14:23 “The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.” (TLB)
Our culture aggressively trains us to be selfish. Our culture hails the pursuit of happiness but neglects the pursuit of blessedness. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
The pursuit of happiness is about me. The pursuit of blessedness is about me blessing others. The pursuit of blessing others achieves for me what the pursuit of happiness for myself never could.
This week in your reading in Proverbs:
Proverbs 11:24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger but the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. MSG
When we discover our God-given assignment the world becomes a better place – why? Because we’re the seed of Abraham = the expression of God’s blessing in the earth.
According to God’s Word, that the primary purpose of money is to advance the Kingdom of God, and if we, as Christians, take the Scriptures seriously and live
obediently, we can begin to change the world.
Spiritual health is of greater value than material wealth
Everywhere we go....
We Bring GP2RL: Discuss the purpose of money with your family this week and talk about how to honor God with your finances. Read Proverbs 4-11 noting principles of personal finance.