Kingdom Study Session #3

Kingdom of God #3: Kingdom and Finances Reward Principle #1 Giving brings greater blessing than receiving.2 Corinthians 9:7 Three-fold impact: giver, receiver, God is pleased Reward Principle #2 When we invest money now in God’s Kingdom, we will receive great rewards later in heaven. Matthew 13:44 – Kingdom of heaven Whatever good thing you do for Him, if done according to the Word, is laid up for your as treasure in chests and coffers, to be brought out to be reward both men and angels, to your eternal comfort. ~John Bunyan Philippians 4:17 Read Matthew 6:19-24 ~two treasures ~two perspectives ~two masters What are your Treasures? ~What do you value most? ~What would you most hate to lose? ~What do your thoughts turn to most frequently when you are free to think of what you will? ~What affords you the greatest pleasure? Amassing money in itself is not wrong, it is just not a wise decision and a poor investment. Since God, His Word, and people are eternal, what will last is what is used wisely for God, His Word, and His people. How is your heavenly deposit doing? Reward Principle #3 God offers us rewards that are eternal, imperishable, and inexhaustible. Luke 12:33 – will not wear out nor be exhausted Keep only enough Confederate currency to meet your short-term needs. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliott Card game where the point of the game is to finish with no cards. American dream is backwards. Reward Principle #4 When we see our lives through the lens of eternity, our attitude toward everything will change drastically. Death is coming – Iraq servant – Baghdad – Samaria 2 Cor. 4:16-18 – how not to lose heart: 1. Personal transformation 2. Promised reward 3. Proper perspective Reward Principle #5 Obeying God is not only right, it’s smart. It will always pay off in the end. Good deeds will follow: Revelation 14:13 We must make ourselves ready: Revelation 19:7-8 He will reward: Psalm 6:11-12 Rewards are conditional: 2 Peter 1:10-11 How dare we say that being in heaven is all that matters to us, when so much else matters to God? When I go to the grave I can say, as others have said, “My day’s work is done.” But I cannot say, “My life is done.” My work will recommence the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes upon the twilight but opens upon the dawn. ~Victor Hugo