Week 4 – Trail Head 8 – Rationing 101

Trail Head 8 - Rationing 101. Ever wondered why Jesus talks so much about money?  Did you even know He did? Join me in finding out as we explore the question, should knowing God affect our finances? Tune in, let's dive deep. ?️ #Trailhead #Stewardship101  IT'S EASY TO GIVE at Harmony, text any amount to (859) 459-0316  to get started (or give online @ my.harmonychurch.cc/give ). ------------------ Trail Head 8 - Rationing 101 Learning Godly Stewardship b Trail 14: Should knowing God affect my finances? OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever been betrayed, I mean, seriously betrayed?  Years ago, I had a close friend that I invited into a leadership position.  I had shared with him some insecurities I had around my leadership being young and inexperienced.  I’ll never forget the board meeting I was in when this guy I thought was my friend started sharing the personal things I had told him one on one with everyone else and using it as a reason I maybe shouldn’t be the leader.  I remember leaving that night with my heart in my stomach, I called Jenni and told her what had happened and that I felt like I’d been betrayed.   The world of betrayers has some famous ones, doesn’t it?  Benedict Arnold, betrayed America during the revolution Or Judas, the most famous of all betrayers - betrayed Jesus to His death. What if I told you there is a betrayer in our midst, would that surprise you? Don’t turn to your spouse and say, “I knew it!” Lol! That’s not what I’m talking about. Actually, the betrayer is closer than a spouse, closer than a mother, closer than a brother. b Jesus said this betrayer will show exactly who and what your allegiance is to… Listen to who or what Jesus says this betrayer is: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Actually, what he fully says is this: Matthew 6:19-21 & 24 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus is saying, your treasure (money) will betray what your heart is most focused on. It is betraying you… As a matter of fact, how you handled your possessions was one of the primary topics Jesus taught on.   b It's estimated that around 15-25% of Jesus' recorded words in the Gospels are focused on the topic of possessions and our posture towards them. b so, let me ask you this question.  Why in the world does Jesus make such a big deal about money if what He cares about is your spiritual life? Seriously, I want you to think about that question for a moment.  I want to take you into a couple of events from the life of Jesus that I think will help us understand all of this… Mark 10:17-27 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Or what about this… Luke 9:57-62 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Hold on to your hats, because I’m about to lay some deep truth on you… Remember, we said money betrays us? b What does it betray?  It betrays where our allegiance is and where we think we find the good life. b If you believe Jesus is where the good life is found, you will be willing to sacrifice anything to be with Him. b If you don’t, and I mean really down deep, believe that Jesus is where the good life is found, you will hold onto the thing that you believe will give you the good life. b How you handle your worldly wealth and where you invest it will speak volumes more about your faith in Jesus, more than any words you ever say. Notice, I didn’t say giving all your money to the church.  If you read this week's Trail Guide, then you know, I believe we should give 10% to the church to start with, but 100% of my money is Jesus’.   If you don’t believe me, ask my wife if I actually live this out…   See, we called this trailhead  Trail Head 8 - Rationing 101 Learning Godly Stewardship Because there is one simple trick to train your brain to believe God is where the good life comes from.  If you will do this one thing.  Change the way you think of yourself and the money and possessions you have.  If you begin to see them as God’s money and possessions and yourself as His steward, it will change everything about how you operate in this world. If Jesus asked for me to give away all the money he gave me, why wouldn’t I?  He can give me more. If Jesus asked me to use my wealth to build pay for kids to go on a youth retreat, why wouldn’t I, that’s an investment in His Kingdom If Jesus called me to give my paycheck, why wouldn’t I, He’s where the good life is found… The steward realizes the resource he or she has is not their own resource, but that of the master.   --------------