CONFLICT | GOD & MONEY

MATTHEW 5:9 BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD

KEY SCRIPTURES

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Luke 12:13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

KEY POINTS

• A believer’s life is full of conflict as we carry out God’s purpose in this world. Jesus said the gate is narrow and the way which leads to life is hard.
• Whether money is lacking or abundant in the believer’s life, the first conflict with money is in the heart.
• Godliness with contentment is great gain. The opposite is a heart that covets. True heart contentment only comes with Godliness and it is this Godliness that overcomes a craving for material wealth and produces great spiritual wealth.
• The second conflict for believers is the conflict with the world’s voice. The world’s voice magnifies the fallen hearts tendency and continually inundates us with a message that we should never be content.
• Three reasons we should not pursue material riches. A) We cannot take it with us. B) Be content with simplicity. C) It could end in our destruction and a falling away from our first love.
• Jesus must become our greatest treasure above all else. This breaks our hearts free from the love of money and material possessions.
• The Kingdom of Heaven is the only thing Jesus taught on more than money in the gospels.
• The Kingdom of Heaven, salvation and righteousness are eternal; money and possessions in this life are temporary and a part of a system that will pass away (no need for money in heaven).
• Money and the Kingdom of Heaven are in direct conflict, opposition or competition with one another. Our hearts are brought into this battle for dominion. Jesus said we can love one or the other, be devoted to one or the other.
• God is calling us to live on the brink of eternity. A kingdom perspective. We have an opportunity to transfer “unrighteous wealth” to the Kingdom of Heaven and store up treasures in our eternal home.
• Be rich toward God. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called. Don’t set your hope on the uncertainty of riches but on God. Do good, be rich in good works, be generous, ready to share, thus storing up treasure for ourselves as a good foundation for the future, so that we may take hold of that which is truly life.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you experienced conflict with money? As it relates to money, is your heart content?
2. Where have you learned what you believe about money? Have you bought into what the world tells you about money?
3. If you are honest, what has been the greatest treasure of your heart in your life?
4. Have you been able to say at any point in your life that Jesus Christ is your greatest treasure?
5. Do you consider your money to be 100% for the Masters use for the Kingdom of Heaven if called for that?
6. Do you struggle to live with an eternal perspective as it relates to money?