007.1 Attitude and Lifestyle, pt. 1

It’s all about how you live! We discuss our core value of having a sacrificial attitude toward money and living a moderate lifestyle.

What do you devote to money? What does the Bible instruct concerning money?

Stewards – of God’s mysteries (1 corinthians 4:1) and Grace (Ephesians 3:2; 1 Peter 4:10)

We are not instructed, in scripture, to be stewards of money.

Sacrificial attitude towards money AND living a moderate lifestyle. You need to have both.

• Moderate lifestyle is easier to sustain; not self-serving; not controlled by fads; and focuses on contentment, which brings great riches
• Sacrifical attitude towards money is necessary to not be controlled by it, and also to avoid focusing on what you’re doing without and waiting for it to be returned to you. Focuses the use of your resources on the Kingdom.
• The Good Samaritan wasn’t concerned with his stuff, he was concerned with the hurting person.

Isaiah 58 – Lifestyle of Fasting

Want vs Need

• Matthew 6 – God supplies needs. Your stuff will get stolen.
• Luke 12:13-21 Storing up even more stuff for your self. Is this verse the epitome of the American dream?

Luke 17:5-10 requirements for servants

Is living a meager lifestyle even biblical, considering the wealthy and powerful people in Scripture?

• Joseph was a true steward – none of it was his stuff; he served his master well; never sought vengeance
• Abraham – Started by leaving everything and walking by faith; all he had was setting the stage for the patriarchs; he was not greedy.
• David – David’s attitude was: it’s God’s throne, He can put whoever He wants on it. David’s wealth was laying foundation for Israel as a nation and for building the temple.
• All three were in tune with what God was doing at that time.
• Jesus instructs His disciples to give up riches. “Riches” refers to wealth in the Old Testament but riches of Christ in the New Testament, except for 4 verses which warn against wealth.

The live broadcast of this episode included the songs:

“All Creatures” by Josh Garrels https://joshgarrels.bandcamp.com/track/all-creatures

“Wishing Well” by The Oh Hellos http://music.theohhellos.com/track/wishing-well

This episode originally broadcast live on May 15, 2015 on KXEN 1010AM in St. Louis, MO

For more info:

www.discipledrivenchurch.org

www.discipledrivenchurch.blogspot.com

www.sunministries.org

www.sunministries.blogspot.com

Theme music: “The Resistance” by Josh Garrels (www.joshgarrels.com) licensed by Marmoset Music (www.marmosetmusic.com)

006.3 Money, pt.3: The Tithe

To understand the tithe, let’s look at offerings

• First offering was Cain and Abel’s. Cain’s was rejected, because it came from the cursed ground.
• Offer what God commands.
• Tithe was first demonstrated by Abraham, prior to the law. Does this mean we need to circumcise and make animal sacrifices?
• The tithe became a part of the law much later
• It was in place, in part, to sustain the temple system and the priests
• The Levites had no inheritance
• Malachi 3 – God rebukes people for refusing the tithe

Back to the Tithe, examined in light of the New Testament

• Give, and it will be given to you.
• Jesus is not a socialist, nor a capitalist

2 arguments to justify the tithe

• Abraham Argument
  • Abraham tithed before the Law.
  • Pressure to tithe puts us under the Law
  • What about the year of Jubilee? Do we need to tithe AND forgive debts? What about charging interest?
• Jesus affirms the tithe (Luke 11:42, Matthew 23:23)
  • What Jesus is actually talking about is righteousness and not being a hypocrite
  • Don’t disregard justice, have the love of God.
• • This is before the fulfillment of the Law, and directed to professionals in the Law

In the New Testament, there is no command to tithe. Instead there is giving up all things and sharing your life with others.
If the tithe was for the priests, and we are all priests, who do you tithe to?
What is the cost of being Jesus’ disciple? Not 10% of your belongings.
Under grace, the Law is actually amplified, because it’s about the Spirit, your heart, your desires, not your ability to follow rules.

God wants YOU. Your friends and family would not be satisfied with 10% of your paycheck. They want you.

Songs:
The live broadcast included the song “To Obey is Better than Sacrifice” by Keith Green https://youtu.be/TzWyZxlwGKI

“Enough” by Shaun Groves from his album “Third World Symphony”.  Used by permission of Shaun Groves. http://www.shaungroves.com

This episode was originally broadcast live on May 8, 2015 on KXEN 1010AM in St. Louis, MO

For more info:
www.discipledrivenchurch.org
www.discipledrivenchurch.blogspot.com
www.sunministries.org
www.sunministries.blogspot.com

Theme music: “The Resistance” by Josh Garrels (www.joshgarrels.com) licensed by Marmoset Music (www.marmosetmusic.com)

 

006.2 Money, pt.2: MAMMON

Why is the church so concerned with money, and what is mammon? Is it money, an idol, a false god, something else?
If money has so many negative effects, why is the church so obsessed with it?

When Jesus talked about money, He usually wasn’t talking about money.

You can only serve 1 master. The number of masters available to choose from is still up for discussion.
Luke 16:9-13 The mammon of unrighteousness
Mammon is mentioned only 4 times in scripture, and 3 times in this passage.
What is the definition of mammon?

• If only “money opposed to God”, how can we be faithful with it?
• If mammon is “treasure or wealth”, what does that mean for you and your loyalties?

Your lordship establishes your stewardship – If you serve the wrong god, you will never receive the TRUE things that are actually yours.

Wealth disparity – is it too big? Is it just? Is it okay and good?
The problem with tax exemption.

Matthew 6:24 – the other mammon mention
“For this reason” – because you will hate one master and serve the other, do not worry about needs, but seek first the Kingdom.

Terry Rants
Does God want us rich or does God want us content?
Things are valued differently in the Kingdom.
Misuse of wealth and oppression causes pain, and the oppressed eventually speak out.
You do not require a middle man to utilize your wealth to care for the poor
Don’t donate garbage
What was the sin of Sodom?

Encourage people with passion and big hearts, before they get sucked into bureaucracy

Music
“Rich Young Ruler” by Derek Webb http://derekwebb.com/track/932321/rich-young-ruler?feature_id=236920

“Enough” by Shaun Groves. http://shaungroves.com/

This episode was originally broadcast live on May 8, 2015 on KXEN 1010AM in St. Louis, MO

For more info:
www.discipledrivenchurch.org
www.discipledrivenchurch.blogspot.com
www.sunministries.org
www.sunministries.blogspot.com

Theme music: “The Resistance” by Josh Garrels (www.joshgarrels.com) licensed by Marmoset Music (www.marmosetmusic.com)