The Heart of the Matter

Being Rich

The Heart of the Matter

Matthew 6:21

This video was shown as part of the sermon.

Objective:  Learn how to be Good at being rich.

Review:

• God has blessed me with more than I need, I am rich!

• There are some unique spiritual challenges that go with being rich – Money does things to people

• Key Question: How are my finances shaping my heart?

• Key Thought: I will not trust in riches, but in him who richly provides!

• I can keep my heart and hope from drifting by doing good, being rich in good works and being generous and ready to share

• It is not primarily about what I have. It is what I do with what I have that will count either for me or against me in the kingdom of heaven.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

How We Handle Our Money:

• Reveals our heart

• Reorients our heart

Questions:

• How are my finances shaping my heart?
• What is deeply within my heart, underneath my financial behaviors?

Being good at being rich is a matter of the Heart before it is a matter of Specific Behaviors

4 Joy-Filled Heart Transformations

That God’s Grace Wants To Produce In Us

1. From Pride To Gratitude

“Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.” (1 Chronicles 29:10–16)

Every blessing that we don’t turn into Praise has the potential to turn back into Pride

Behavior: We give thanks to God because we understand that God is the Owner and we see everything as a Gift from his gracious hand

2. From Coveting To Contentment

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13)

Two Keys To Contentment:

• Margin

• Enough

Behavior: We Spend Modestly

3. From Anxiety To Trust

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31–33)

Two Questions Anxiety Dwells On:

• What if I don’t have enough for Right Now?

• What if I don’t have enough for The Future?

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

I will not trust in riches, but in him who richly provides!

Behavior: We Save Modestly

4. From Indifference To Love

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18–19)

Three Priorities:

• Save the lost (Evangelism)

• Strengthen believers (Discipleship)

• Serve the poor (Mercy and Justice)

Behavior: We Give Extravagantly

Questions:

• How are my finances shaping my heart?
• What is deeply within my heart, underneath my financial behaviors?

Being good at being rich is a matter of the Heart before it is a matter of Specific Behaviors

Making It Personal:

• God’s richest provision for us is eternal life found only in Jesus Christ. The beginning point for being rich in things that really matter is being in a right relationship with God by responding to his grace through repentance and faith.  Is this foundational relationship a reality in your life?

• Spend time for the rest of this month reviewing and reflecting on the major points of this teaching. What will it look like to grow in these 4 heart transformations?

• What can you learn from the couple’s story that was shared? How can you apply these insights in your own life? 

• How will you grow in being good at being rich?

• Who can you share these truths with?