“Write This Down…” provides a restatement of selected points or observations from various teaching venues at which Pastor Matthew speaks. The following material is from Pastor Matthew’s sermon entitled, “A New Kind of Normal,” the weekend of September 12, 2010 at Bethel Church:
Reality #1: Money invites all manner of perceptions and expectations.
- False Impression #1: The Prosperity Gospel: If you are faithful God will make you rich and happy. However, Jesus declares in Matthew 19:23-24 that it is difficult for the rich person to get to Heaven.
- False Impression #2: The Poverty Gospel: If you live like a pauper you are clearly more holy than others. However, James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above.
- False Impression #3: Money is the End All of Everything. And yet, as the Westminster Confession states, the “chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
- False Impression #4: Money is Evil. And yet, 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us that it is the “love of money” that is the root of all kinds of evil.
Reality #2: Money influences our life choices.
Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Debt creates a Master-Slave relationship, and when we’re the slave we have no real freedom. This is why these things are spiritual in nature. When we are slaves we are limited regarding how we may joyfully and ably serve God.
Reality# 3: Money demands respect; insists on good stewardship.
- God requires us to manage well what we have. (Proverbs 27:23)
- Good stewardship requires a good plan. (Luke 14:28-30)
- Wise people save money. (Proverbs 21:20)
- Building wealth takes time and money–and is okay. (Proverbs 28:20)