The following blog post contains notes and application questions from our June 17, 2018 message, How to be Rich: So Rich You Can Add to the Wealth of Your King. This message is part of our "How to be Rich" series. See other messages in this series.

Summary

As we continue our series, “How to Be Rich,” Todd teaches us that the reason the Bible talks so much about money is because it can grab our hearts unlike few things can. God’s Word doesn’t tell us how to get rich but how to be rich. The more we know God, the more we will take joy in being a generous steward on His behalf.

Key Takeaways

• We are stewards.
• Giving (and being generous in general) is grace’s gift that makes you rich.
• God doesn’t want anything from you; He wants something for you.
• God’s Word doesn’t tell you how to get rich but how to be rich.
• If you make more than $25,000 a year you are in the top 2% of the world’s wealth. (www.globalrichlist.com)
• If you know Jesus you are rich beyond anything in this world.
• The reason the Bible talks so much about money is because it can grab our hearts unlike few things can.
• The greater an object’s mass, the more it draws other objects to itself. This is why you must be careful with money. The more you have, the more you will be tempted to seek more of it.
• If you want to know God, read your bible more; if you want a better marriage-pray with your wife; if you want to lead better-serve more; if you want to be rich…give your life–and all that you are stewarded–away.
• A person’s happiness and ability to be generous are in direct correlation to whether they see themselves as an owner or as a steward.
• People who love themselves try to justify their lack of love by asking, “who is my neighbor”. People who love God ask, “Where is a someone I can be a neighbor too”.
• If you give yourself to God and you are not giving yourself to others, then you are deluded about the fact that you have given yourself to God.
• The more you become like God the more joy you will have in giving away everything you can.
• Giving is not an elective. It’s part of the core curriculum of being a believer. If you aren’t giving generously, you are not rich in your relationship with God.
• Giving is a grace that is driven by love, not a “got to” driven by law.
• The way you know you are rich in grace is to be rich in giving.
• God unequally distributes gifts so He can be glorified…not so we can be communists.
• Don’t be the person that almost gives
• When we “sow bountifully” we “reap bountifully” (2 Cor 9:6) more grace so we will have all sufficiency in everything and abundance for every good deed (2 Cor 9:8), enriched in everything for all liberality which produces more thanksgiving and glory ascribed to God (2 Cor 9:11-13).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

• What’s one way you can grow in your understanding and practice of being a steward of what God has entrusted you with, rather than thinking and acting like you are an owner of it?
• Are you an over-resourced community group or an under-resourced community group? Email your Community Coach or Director (or community@watermark.org if you don’t know who to email) and let us know if you need help or if you are able to be a help to those that need it.
• Four prayers of application:
  1. Father, has the degree of my giving suggested that I have recognized and embraced the full extent of Your grace in my life? Or does it suggest I need to recognize and respond to Your grace in deeper and more heartfelt ways?
  2. Father, could it be that You have raised me up—with the financial assets You’ve entrusted to me—for just such a time as this?
  3. Is my life revolving around You, Father? Open my eyes, Father. What am I holding onto that’s robbing me of present joy and future reward? Since money and things have mass, and mass exerts gravity, and gravity holds us in orbit, which of “my” assets can I give to Your Kingdom and others, so that You will be my center of gravity?
  4. Lord, have I been acting as if I own what you have stewarded to me? Deliver me from the lie that says I am the owner and you should be grateful if I give away percentages to you and your Kingdom, as if you work for me as opposed to me being a privileged steward of your treasure.

Mentioned or Recommended Resources

• Suggested Scripture Study: Matthew 5:16; Proverbs 3:13-18; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Luke 10:25-29; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Matthew 6:1-5;
• Resource: Meeting Financial Needs In and Through the Church
• Real Truth Real Quick: What is a Widow "Indeed?"
• Real Truth Real Quick: Should I Give Money To The Man On The Corner?
• Real Truth Real Quick: Should a Christian Tithe?
• Resource: The Man With the Golden Arm