“Embracing Change To Experience Life!”

“Embracing Change To Experience Life!”

James 5:1-6 James 5:1-6

Many people

wrongly believethat the Bible teaches

that it’s wrong

to be WEALTHY!

“For the love of money isa root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered

from the faith and pierced themselves with many

griefs.” (NIV)

“For the love of money isa root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered

from the faith and pierced themselves with many

griefs.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:10…. 1 Timothy 6:10….

• “The love of money”• The misuse of money

• “The love of money”• The misuse of money“The love of money”

causes all kinds of problems.

“The love of money”causes all kinds of

problems.

Let’s look at how God wants us to handle our

in 3 areas.

The way we

GET our money is as important as the money

we RECEIVE.

James 5:4…. James 5:4….

“You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their

complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty [Sabboath].”

(GN)

“You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their

complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty [Sabboath].”

(GN)

This is a serious issue!

This is a serious issue!

God tells all employers to treat their employees with

fairness and justice.

God tells all employers to treat their employees with

fairness and justice.

“Doom to him who builds palaces but bullies people,

who makes a fine house but destroys lives, who cheats his workers and

won’t pay them for their work.” (Message)

“Doom to him who builds palaces but bullies people,

who makes a fine house but destroys lives, who cheats his workers and

won’t pay them for their work.” (Message)

Jeremiah 22:13…. Jeremiah 22:13….

Don’t fill your pocketsby cheating

people out

of what you

owe them.

When you get a billin the mail – pay it.

When you owe someone something – pay what is due.

Don’t be dishonestwith people.

Employees to treat their employers fairly ….

Employees to treat their employers fairly ….

Give an honest day’s workfor an honest day’s pay.

If you sell used cars –do it with honesty.

If you get paid bythe hour –

don’t sit around wasting time.

Employees ….Employees ….

Proverbs 14:23…. Proverbs 14:23….

“In hard work there is always something

gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.” (GW)

“In hard work there is always something

gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.” (GW)

James next shows us that there is a wrong reason

to save up money.

James 5:3b…. James 5:3b….

“You have hoarded [heaped up] wealth [treasure] in the last

days.” (NIV)

“You have hoarded [heaped up] wealth [treasure] in the last

days.” (NIV)

DON’T STOCKPILE YOUR MONEY!

DON’T STOCKPILE YOUR MONEY!

God wants His money to circulate.

God wants His money to circulate.

Save your moneyso that it can be used

for God’s Kingdomand it’s extension.

Save your moneyso that it can be used

for God’s Kingdomand it’s extension.

God does NOT opposeus to save money. God does NOT opposeus to save money.

Luke 14:28…. Luke 14:28….

“Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit

down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to

finish it.”(GW)

“Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit

down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to

finish it.”(GW)

Jesus was talking about HAVING ENOUGH

RESOURCES in hand – to finish

the project that you started.

Jesus was talking about HAVING ENOUGH

RESOURCES in hand – to finish

the project that you started.

God encourages SAVING

– there IS a legitimateplace for saving.

James 5:2,3…. James 5:2,3….

“Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are

moth-eaten. Your gold and silver

are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness

against you and will eatyour flesh like fire.” (NKJV)

“Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are

moth-eaten. Your gold and silver

are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness

against you and will eatyour flesh like fire.” (NKJV)

James is telling them –

God does not want us

to get wealth – just for the sake

of getting wealth.

He wants us to

put our wealth into

circulation – for His

kingdom.

Tithes & Offering

James 5:5….

“You have lived on the earth

in luxury and self-

indulgence. You have

fattened yourselves [hearts]

in a day of slaughter.” (NIV)

“You have lived on the earth

in luxury and self-

indulgence. You have

fattened yourselves [hearts]

in a day of slaughter.” (NIV)

We are NOT TO WASTEour wealth.

We are NOT TO WASTEour wealth.

We are not to be OVERLY

self-indulgent. Sometimes,

the more money we make

the EASIER it is to waste it.

Just because you can afford something – does not mean you should buy it.

Just because you can afford something – does not mean you should buy it.

The Bible tells us TO….SPEND our money

WISELY!

Proverbs 21:5….

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

(NIV)

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

(NIV)

How do you spell

“PLAN”?

Have a budget?

What is a budget?

Have a budget?

What is a budget?

… is planned spending.

… is telling your money where to go and when.

Proverbs 23:4,5.…Proverbs 23:4,5.…

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! Riches disappear

in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue

yonder.” (Message)

Read again Luke 14:28…. Read again Luke 14:28….

“Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit

down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to

finish it.”(GW)

“Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit

down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to

finish it.”(GW)

The Bible clearly teaches that God is concerned with...  

1. How we GET our money?

2. How we SAVE our money?

3. How we SPEND our money?

God is concernedwith every aspect

of our life –and that includes

our “FINANCES.”

God is concernedwith every aspect

of our life –and that includes

our “FINANCES.”

Are you using themin a way that is

pleasing to God?

Are you using themin a way that is

pleasing to God?

Are you including God inyour financial planning?

Are you including God inyour financial planning?