James Series:
Building a Personal Faith that Works
“How to How to Be Wise with Your Wealth, Part 1”
Pastor Rob Carlson
January 19-20, 2002
Characteristics of Spiritual Maturity:
The wrong uses of wealth (avoid these):
ISSUE #1:
The Accumulation of wealth: Don’t hoard it.
James 5:3c--You have hoarded wealth in the last day.
In the New Testament times, you could hoard wealth in three ways:
•Stockpile food
•Collect clothes
•Gather precious metals & jewelry
James 5:2-3a--Your wealth has rotted...moths have eaten your clothes...Your gold and silver are corroded.
Whatever you Accumulate, Deteriorates!
ISSUE #2:
The Appropriation of wealth: Don’t steal it.
James 5:4b--The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you.
Dishonest means to make money:
•Not paying debts
•Cheating on taxes
•Charging too much
•Wasting time on the clock
•Selling a car without telling about major repairs
ISSUE #3:
The Allocation of wealth: Don’t waste it.
James 5:5a--You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.
ISSUE #4:
The Application of wealth: Don’t abuse it.
James 5:6 [Phillips]--You have condemned and ruined innocent men, and they are powerless to stop you.
The RIGHT uses of wealth (Practice these):
1. Right Accumulation: Save Money Faithfully.
Proverbs 21:20 [LB]--The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.
We ought to use our Affluence for good Influence!
Learn to live on a margin.
Learn contentment.
What is the Purpose of Saving?
•It prevents us from impulse buying. Proverbs 21:20 [LB]
•It allows us to help other people when they have a need.
•It gets your money working for you, instead of you working for your money.
[Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.]