Responsible Spending | Francois van Niekerk | 1 June 2014
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A practical sermon on being responsible in our spending so that it will bring true wealth to us and honour to God.
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Responsible Spending | Francois van Niekerk | 1 June 2014
- 3. Whom you believe in lays the foundation for What you believe which shapes How you behave or act
- 4. Truth
- 5. Truth
- 6. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
- 10. Honesty in earning or work Responsibility in spending Wisdom in borrowing Self-control in saving Generosity in giving
- 13. Identity in Christ Contentment with God Budget Accountable in spending Resist materialism Long-term view on things
- 14. Lord, I choose to put my budget under Your control. Please help me to change wrong spending patterns that have developed in my life. Guide me to spend in ways that will bring true wealth and honour You. Amen.
Editor's Notes
- Theme: God and gold Date: 1 June 2014 – morning service Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- Sermon: Responsible spending Text: James 4:3 (NIV) ‘When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.’ (Emphasis added) Material by Heartlines (the multi-media NGO behind the movie Nothing for Mahala) is used in this sermon with permission. Introduction The ability to create wealth that God promises us (Deuteronomy 8:18) functions by a process and follows a divine order:
- Whom we believe in lays the foundation for what we believe (values), which shape how we behave or act. If we want to change our behaviour, we have to start with who we believe in and what we believe.
- I will address these three areas under the headings Kingdom truth, values and behaviour. If you desire to see God’s plan and provision for finance become a reality in your life then you need to embrace and live by this process. The media and society encourage and entice us to spend money now, without planning for tomorrow. Almost half of South Africans with access to credit now have bad records. Materialism is growing, with more and more people buying things they can’t afford. Let’s consider what it means to be responsible in our spending and what the impact might be when we are not.
- Main points Kingdom truth: motive
- Being a responsible spender means that you first have to look at your motives for doing things. If your motives are all about you (I want, I need) it shows that you are in need of discovering what life is truly about! If everything is about you, it will reflect in your spending. You will be driven to get and never learn to live to give. Basically you will be a consumer and not a producer. If this is your life, you need to know that you are not a nice person to live with! True Christian believers do not live for themselves firstly. It is a selfish lifestyle that will damage you and those around you in the long run. We should live for Christ and make a positive impact on others for Him. ‘For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.’ Philippians 1:21 (NIV) ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) This is real purpose and true satisfaction! What or who motivates you? Who are you living for, yourself or Jesus Christ?
- 2. The value of responsibility
- There are five values concerning wealth creation that I believe we should allow God to speak into. They are: honesty responsibility wisdom self-control, and generosity. Fully embracing these basic values as God speaks about them will impact and change your behaviour and result in wealth creation and the release of God’s provision in a sustainable and supernatural way. Being responsible means to act in a sensible way that shows you can be trusted. Being a responsible spender means that you allow God to direct your spending in a way that fulfils His purpose. We all need things such as clothes, food, transport and places to live, but these things should not be what we live for or give us our identity. Irresponsible and uncontrolled spending can have serious effects on your life and liberty. Plan your spending!
- 3. Behaviour The five values mentioned above are related to the following five patterns of behaviour:
- Honesty in earning or work. Responsibility in spending. Wisdom in borrowing. Self-control in saving. Generosity in giving. When it comes to spending, it is a matter of taking control or being controlled. We need to look at the motive behind our spending. If your spending is motivated by any of the following, you need to make some adjustments: Pleasing others or buying favour (spending money you don’t have to impress people you don’t know). Wanting instant gratification. Having a don’t care-attitude about the future (no vision, hope or plan). Not doing research on cost options.
- Are you an irresponsible spender? Spending more than you earn? Living above your means? Irresponsible spending could lead to being enslaved by debt. What does responsibility in spending mean to you? The way you spend is often a reflection of what is going on in your heart. Spending in an irresponsible way could have roots in emotional or spiritual needs. Some people shop for any reason, whether they are sad, upset or glad. For them retail therapy always seems to be the answer! Many find their identity in the car they drive, where they live or the clothes they wear. Some people crave acceptance and therefore fall into the trap of keeping up with the Jones’. Spending to look good can also be an issue of pride. Choosing to be responsible in your spending is not a popular option – it is hard but has great rewards in positioning you for true wealth. Model your spending in such a way that it does not make you a slave to materialism and greed, but gives you the opportunity to store up riches in heaven. ‘“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”’ Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) To take control of your spending and bring change to your spending patterns, taking God with you when you shop will help. It will definitely affect how you spend your money.
- The following are keys for responsible spending: Find your identity in Christ – He is more than enough (Hebrews 13:5). Find contentment with the Lord (Philippians 4:12-13). Budget (list income and expense). Be accountable in your spending (family, spouse, business partner, etc.) Learn to resist the pressure of materialism. Take the long-term view on things – not what will bring immediate or short-term gratification. Spending responsibly under God’s guidance will bring hope for a financially secure future. Application Are you a responsible or irresponsible spender? Do you live within your means? Is your spending causing debt and stress to yourself or your family? Are you enslaved to debt? Decide today to change your spending and bring it under God’s control. It’s your first step to a meaningful life of freedom.
- Prayer ‘Lord, I choose to put my budget and spending under Your control. Please help me to change any wrong spending patterns I have developed in my life. Guide my spending that it will bring true wealth and honour You! Amen.