Watch Church Online
“Work and Wealth”
November 17, 2024
Cityline Church
Jack Anthony Sheets
Lead Pastor
Work – Whatever you do to partner with God to produce good in the world.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11
Sluggard= Someone who is habitually lazy, irresponsible, and unwilling to put in the work in developing his/her skills.
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. 15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. Proverbs 26:14-15
WISDOM WITH WORK
- Choose diligence in a culture of carelessness.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4
- Choose honesty in a culture of dishonesty.
2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 10:2
17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. Proverbs 20:17
- Choose to see our work as our contribution to the work of redemption.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
WISDOM WITH WEALTH
- Recognize God is the source and provider of everything we have.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
- Wealth and money are a good thing but not an ultimate thing.
25 The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Proverbs 28:25
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16
- Money and wealth are not only a powerful resource, but they can also be a dangerous distraction.
7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Mammon). Matthew 6:24
“Today we might legitimately translate Mammon as things, money, gain, or success. The god Mammon is left with its pagan name in the Greek text and in most translations in order to remind readers that Mammon is a spiritual force who works with tremendous attracting power to draw us into its orbit and out from under the service of Christ.” – Dale Bruner
WISDOM IN PRACTICE
- Confession.
- Contentment.
- Generosity.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Live in the Kingdom of God in such a way that it provokes questions for which the gospel is the answer.” – Leslie Newbigin