This document discusses the dangers of putting one's trust in money rather than God. It argues that money can provide a false sense of security and control over one's life. While money may promise freedom, it can also lead to bondage. The document cautions against the pursuit of wealth and advises storing up treasures in heaven instead of things on earth that can be destroyed or stolen. It suggests that true riches consist of being rich toward God rather than accumulating possessions.

5. RICK DUNHAM
“(Our) real struggle is (our)
misplaced trust
in money to bring me true peace and
security…
God alone is the only truly secure
thing
in (our lives) and money can never
offer
that kind of security.”

6. RICK DUNHAM
“Money is an amazingly powerful force
in our lives…It wields its power and
control
over the poor who struggle just to
put food
on the table. It provides a false
hope to those
reaching for the golden ring of
prosperity.

7. RICK DUNHAM
“Money is the one thing that can
give us freedom and put us in bondage
all at the same time…”

9. CENTER on
PHILANTHROPYIn 2008, only 64.4% of registered
Baptists
gave ANYTHING during that year.
And of those who gave, the average
amount
of “religious giving” was only 2%
of their income.
This trend is true across ALL

10. MATTHEW 6:20-21
But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven,
where moths and vermin
do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.

11. LUKE 12:15-21
“Watch out! Be on your guard
against all kinds of greed;
life does not consist in an
abundance of possessions.”
And he told them this parable:
“The ground of a certain rich man
yielded an abundant harvest.
He thought to himself,
‘What shall I do? I have no place
to store my crops.’”

12. LUKE 12:15-21
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do.
I will tear down my barns and
build bigger ones, and there I will
store my surplus grain.
And I’ll say to myself,
“You have plenty of grain laid up
for many years. Take life easy;
eat, drink and be merry.”

13. LUKE 12:15-21
“But God said to him, ‘You fool!
This very night your life will be
demanded from you. Then who
will get what you have prepared
for yourself?’ “This is how it will
be with whoever stores up things
for themselves but is not
rich toward God.”

14. 1 TIMOTHY 6:17
…Command those who are
rich in this present world to
not be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so
uncertain, but to put their hope
in God, who richly provides us
with everything for
our enjoyment.

15. - APPROVAL/SUCCESS
(UP: jump off Temple)
- APPETITE/SATISFACTION
(IN: stones into bread)
- AMBITION/STRENGTH
(OUT: power over world)
SATAN TEMPTS
JESUS (Matt 4)

16. OUR PRIMARY
TEMPTATIONS
- MONEY
(UP: approval, success)
- SEX
(IN: appetite; satisfaction)
- POWER
(OUT: ambition; strength)

17. RICH STEARNS (World
Vision)“I can just imagine the echo of
Satan’s laughter
across the spiritual realm as he
successfully
seduces Christian after Christian
into believing the lie of money’s
promise
of security, freedom and happiness,
moving

18. 53

20. SOUL TRAINING
Pray, pray and pray
some more for:
- For grace to trust God
as your true Source
- For wisdom about what
generosity looks like for
you/your family right now
- For the “God Number” He’s
leading you to for TNP