This Tuesday at LivingRoom we had our big gathering where a sermon on money and generosity was preached by Darren Rowse. The following is a summary of the sharing:
- There are 2350 verses on money in the Bible. In fact, the topic of money and possessions appears more than almost any other topic (it's second only to 'the Kingdom of God'). So we can see that money is something on God's mind quite a bit.
- Some words / ideas of what the group thought of when they thought of money include consumerism, security, power, happiness, status, evil, sign of achievement or success,"If you have it, spend it!", "if you don't have it, there is something wrong!", money is a private thing.
- Messages that the church tells us about money include: money is a sign of blessing, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: (1 Timothy 6:10), it's hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God, prosperity doctrine, poverty theology, tithing etc.
Darren talked about 7 themes of money and giving:
- Everything is God's, including money of course (Psalms 24:1, Haggai 2:8)
- Motivation is more important than the act (2 Cor 9)
- Giving is in the same context as needs (Acts 2 and 4)
- Secrecy and humility (Matthew 6)
- There is an impulse towards simplicity
- Reward and blessing (Matthew 6)
- Sacrifice (Luke 21)
So what are your ideas about money, and how do you feel about money personally?
11 comments:
What does the Bible say about Starbucks? I do not think it is a sin to spend money at Starbucks. Here is why..."Star" is in the Bible at least 2 or 3 times. In fact it was a star that announced the birth of our Lord. Now let's take a look at the word, "bucks". With all repect to the KJV, in some more modern translation is highly likely that the word, "denari" can be translated into its more modern form, "bucks".
As a response to the above post, I feel it necessary to point out that first, it's re S pect, not repect. Like Aretha Franklin sang, "R E S P E C T, find out what it means to me".
Also, I'm not a huge fan of Starbucks, even though it's named after my favorite character on "BattleSTAR (AGAIN WITH THE STAR!!!) Galactica". To me it seems that, as one cannot serve both God and mammon, one cannot serve God with a serving of overpriced hot coffee in your hand. Not being a good steward, or a good witness!!! Take that, you Cylons!!!
However, as Simon Peter had the vision that ALL animals were OK to eat, including, 4 out of 5 Bible scholars agree, deer or "bucks", we can also infer from this that it is OK to DRINK these things too.
So you see, the combination of "Star" and "Bucks" can be a good thing. It all depends on your individual walk with God, and how you treat Money in that relationship.
Plus, weren't the Israelites wandering around in the desert, looking for that perfect Caffe Latte to wash down their Manna?
Java Joe
I do think there is alot of emphasis on money being a sign of blessing, but for me personally, I know we are just stewards of whatever God gives us. We brought nothing into the world and we will take nothing out of it. So it makes sense to me that we are only passing through which makes us all the more respnnsible for the things He entrusts us with.
When I think of the money I have as not being mine, I am much more careful how I spend it.
I used to want to make alot of money and become a millionaire, but I realize now that riches aren't always about money, it's about many things, so I am very rich, even though I don't have a million dollars.
An important message, Kitty.
With regard to Starbucks, that place does have a Babylonian goddess on its logo. Not a good sign.
God Bless
Matthew
Living Room sounds like a kewl tewl for topical study. To answer your Q. I think I value it the same as other material blessings. You've got me thinking...;-)
Money is nice to have but I think it totally depends on how and what you use it for. If you have much, give much, if you have little, give what you can. You can't take it with you anyway:-)
The reason why it's mentioned so often in the Bible, according to me, is because God knows men's greed. And let's face it, doesn't today's society place more value on and honor the rich?
I rather be rich in God's blessings, knowing He will give me what I need, then rich with money and only have what I want:-)
Love you, dear sis. Have a great weekend.
God's Grace.
The topic of money is huge! For me, I want to trust in it rather than God, and He makes this clear by circumstances He places me into.
Hmm, an interesting topic. I think it is summed up in the verse that says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." I believe God wants to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. Another verse says, "The generous soul will be made rich." Another verse says, "He who is faithful in the small things will be entrusted with the greater things." Bottom line, if we tithe consistently and give offerings to support ministries as well as sow into people's lives just to bless them, God will see to it that we are blessed.
As for the Starbucks thing, I think people are more apt to remember more about whether we walked in love toward them than what kind of coffee we were drinking. I think too much emphasis is placed on what someone has and not on how they act toward others. If I have $6 for lunch and I decide to go with a $2 lunch from Taco Bell and a $4 cup of coffee, that's my perogative. Just because someone else would spend $5 on the lunch and $1 on the coffee doesn't mean either way is right or wrong. Maybe I am biased because I like their coffee so much...so much that I end up at Taco Bell more than I should.
I love to give and believe that as I continue to give over and above the tithe that God requires, He will see to it that my needs are met.
mONEy... is my one..haha.
Use money and love people.. amen?
Amen! I like that cybeRanger.
To answer the questions about money and Starbucks - well I don't have a problem with having / using both, as long as it's used in the right context.
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