Sustainable, Simple, Sane-part three
Extra Money
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
1. TAKE UNCOMMON CARE TO AVOID COMMON MISTAKES
The “More, More, More” Mistake-
The issue in the Bible isn’t the amount we have, but the attitude we have about money.
It’s not so much WHAT we have, but HOW we use what we have and WHY we want what we have.
The “Too Much Debt” Mistake-
“Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11 NLT
The “Spend Based on the Unknown Future” Mistake
“Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like a morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:13, 14 NLT
2. I MUST MAKE UNCOMMON DECISIONS, IF I WANT TO LIVE AN UNCOMMON LIFE
If I say, “God is first in my life,” then I need to pay Him first!
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and the best part of everything…” Proverbs 3:9 NLT
“You must set aside a tithe…one tenth…bring this tithe to the place the Lord your God choose for His name to be honored…the purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear (respect) the Lord your God. “ Deuteronomy 14:22, 23 NLT
“’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in. Try it! Let me prove it to you!’” Malachi 3:10 NLT
Pay Myself Second-
“A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 NLT
Pay Everybody and Everything Wisely
“Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.” Luke 12:15 NLT