Handling Wealth Wisely | James Pt 11 | Mike Prah Sermon

Follow Along with the Message

HOW TO HANDLE MONEY WISELY
JAMES: PRACTICAL GRACE-FILLED LIVING Series- Pt 11 of 15
James 4:17-5:8 | Mike Prah | August 14, 2022

“If anyone, then, knows the GOOD THEY OUGHT TO DO and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. 3 Now listen, you rich people … You have hoarded wealth in these last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers … are crying out against you. The cries … have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves …  6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you … [Remember] the Lord’s coming is near.” James 4:17-5:8 (NIV)

 HOW TO MAKE, SAVE & USE WEALTH WISELY 

1. IN ACCUMULATING WEALTH, DON’T HOARD IT FOOLISHLY

 “You’ve hoarded wealth in these last days.”  James 5:3b (NIV) 

• MONEY IS A TOOL TO BE USED, NOT A THING TO BE HOARDED

 “Jesus said, “Be careful to guard yourself from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.” Then he used this illustration. He said, “A rich man had land that produced good crops. He thought, ‘What should I do? I don’t have enough room to store MY crops … I’ll tear down MY barns and build bigger ones so that I can store all MY grain and goods in them. Then I’ll say to MYSELF, “You’ve stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” But God said to him, “You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you’ve accumulated for YOURSELF? That’s how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God.” Luke 12:15-21 (GW)

   “‘I’ll just build bigger ones so that I can store all MY goods for myself!’ ...God said, ‘You fool!’” Luke 12:18,20 

INSTEAD OF HARDING MONEY FOOLISHLY, SAVE IT WISELY

 “The wise person saves for the future, but the foolish person spends whatever they get.”  Proverbs 21:20 (LB)

 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAVING AND HOARDING YOUR POSSESSIONS IS IN YOUR PURPOSE AND MOTIVATION

Why Do People Keep Hoarding More Wealth? 

• PEOPLE HOARD OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR SECURITY (Scarcity Mentality)

 “God has said, “I will never leave you. And I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5b (NIV)

 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with whatever you have, because God has said, ‘I will NEVER leave you and I will NEVER abandon you!’” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

•  PEOPLE HOARD OUT OF PRIDE FOR THEIR STATUS

 “… if your riches increase, don’t be PROUD.” Proverbs 62:10b (LB)

 2.  IN ACQUIRING WEALTH, DON’T MAKE IT DISHONESTLY

 The wages you failed to pay the workers … are crying out against you. Their cries … have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty” James 5:4 (NIV)

 “Wealth you get by dishonesty will do you no good, but honesty will save your life.”  Proverbs 10:2 (GN)

 INSTEAD OF ACQUIRING WEALTH DISHONESTLY, TREAT OTHERS FAIRLY

 “The Lord watches to see if we are fair or if we cheat others.” Proverbs 16:11 (CEV)

 “The Lord demands fairness in every business deal. HE ESTABLISHED THIS PRINCIPLE. It is a HORRIBLE THING for a king to do evil. His right to rule depends upon his fairness.” Proverbs 16:11-12 (LB)

 “The wealth you get from crime robs you of your life.”  Proverbs 1:19 (CEV)

 “If anyone, then, knows the GOOD THEY OUGHT TO DO and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 (NLT)

 “Tell people to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they are storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (LB)

 TO BE CONTINUED …

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