We are holding onto life-views that holding us back
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (Philips) Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
The world silently and subtly presses us into its mold
If we see as God sees, we will be more likely to do as God does
Nowhere else in our lives is our belief so stretched than in the area of generosity!
Luke 16:1-2 “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
Manager, Give an account, Short window on time, One opportunity, People welcoming
Luke 16:8- “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Manager (of God’s resources), Give an account (on judgment day), Short window on time (life is short), One opportunity (one life), People welcoming (in heaven)
Money can be used here to get people there
Money is a tool, for eternity
Not what will I have to show for it
Who will I have to show for it, in heaven
Money is a tool, for eternity
Luke 16:10-12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion
Money is a test
Luke 16:13 “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.”
Manager (of God’s resources), Give an account (on judgment day), Short window on time (life is short), One opportunity (one life), People welcoming (in heaven)
Money is a tool. Money is a test.