Monday May 16, 2011
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Monopoly
Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Because of Jesus - Fee, Run - Hillsong, For Who You Are - Hillsong, Forever Reign - Hillsong
Read: Philippians 4:4-20
Think: Pastor Ben’s message this week was one that can make the best of us squirm! There’s just something about anyone talking about our money that makes us a little uncomfortable. But that’s where we get it wrong… because none of it is our money. We just get to be the managers of GOD’S money. When we start with that perspective it changes everything.
With that mindset we can hear the amazing promise in Philippians 4:19 regarding His provision, which says: “…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Check out the first two words: “God will . . .” Now notice it doesn’t say, He might meet your needs, it says, He will meet your needs. It’s written as a fact!
Let’s read further… Then the Bible says, “God will meet all . . . .” It doesn’t say some of your needs, it says “all.” ALL! Isn’t that awesome?!? Take note however, that it does not say, “I’ll meet all your wants.” There’s a big difference between needs and wants. As a parent, would you give your kids everything they want? I hope not. You don’t do that because you love them. And our heavenly Father loves us. He’s not going to give us everything we want because if he did, we would be spoiled brats!
For some you might be thinking this sounds great in theory but you still have financial needs… Did God fail? Or lie? Did he exaggerate?
No! With every promise God makes, there are terms and conditions. When God makes a promise, he basically says, “I’ll do my part and you do your part.” God’s financial wisdom is clearly laid out for us in his Word... In fact money is one of the most often visited topics throughout the Bible. It covers many aspects of financial health—like saving, spending, giving, investing, and stewardship—a lot of which we talked about at church.
Here’s what it comes down to though. First, we have to ask for the Lord’s help. Jesus says, “Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy” (John 16:24 NLT). Here’s a good rule to live by: Before you pay for it, pray for it. Give God a chance to weigh in on your need and your wants. Watch and see how He might even provide before you go out and charge it. Depend on Jesus, not MasterCard and Visa…
“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 MSG).
Do: Pray before you spend this week – no matter what the want or need is… Ask God’s wisdom in every transaction before you make it. Obey as He leads you in your spending.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.