Money and possessions come from God and are necessary part of our lives. The way we use them is directly related to the depth of our relationship with God and therefore have eternal consequences.

1. Money, Possessions
and Eternity
Part One:
Why are money and
possessions important to
God?
Bible Readings:
1 Timothy 6:3-19 (Page 841)
Luke 19:1-10 (Page 743)
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

2. How do we know money and
possessions are important to God?
God has a lot to say about money and
possessions in the Bible.
There are more than 2,300 Bible verses
about money.
There are more verses about money
and possessions than there are verses
about faith and prayer.
In the Gospels Jesus has more to say
about money and possessions and their
use than He does about heaven and
hell.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

3. Why does God give us so much
teaching on money and possessions?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

4. Why does God give us so much
teaching on money and possessions?
15% of Jesus’ recorded
words were on the subject of
money and possessions.
What did Jesus know about
money and possessions that
we don't?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

5. The Testimony of Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus was wealthy.
He was the chief tax collector
for the Jericho region.
Tax Collection under Rome was
a highly competitive business.
Tax farming.
Tax regions were auctioned to
the highest bidder.
The tax collector was able to
keep what he collected over and
above what he contracted to the
government.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

6. The Testimony of Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus invites Himself to
Zacchaeus’ house for dinner.
At the meal Zacchaeus stood up
and in front of Jesus and all the
guests and he said, “Here and
now I give half of my possessions
to the poor and if I had cheated
anyone I will pay them back four
times the amount!”
Jesus declared, “Salvation has
come to this house!”
Why did Zacchaeus do this?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

7. The Testimony of Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus did not tell Zacchaeus give
over half of his wealth away . . . .
So why did he do it?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

8. The Testimony of Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus did not tell Zacchaeus give
over half of his wealth away . . . .
So why did he do it?
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In the presence of Jesus,
Zacchaeus caught a glimpse of
eternity.
He saw his life and his wealth in a
completely different light.
Tuesday, 3 February 2015

9. The Testimony of Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus judged the reality of
Zacchaeus' salvation by his
willingness to part with his
possessions and money.
In God's eyes there is a
relationship between our
spiritual condition and our
attitude and actions concerning
money and possessions.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

10. The Testimony of the rich young man
Matthew 19:16-22
“Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed
must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask Me about what is good?” Jesus
replied. “There is only One Who is good. But to answer your question—if
you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
The man asked, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not
murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not
testify falsely. Honour your father and mother. Love your neighbour as
yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man
replied. “What else must I do?”
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your
possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this,
he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”
(Matthew 19:16–22, NLT)
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

11. The Testimony of the rich young man
Matthew 19:16-22
What Jesus demanded of the
rich young man is outrageous,
and unfair.
He didn't demand Zacchaeus
do this to be saved and
Zacchaeus was probably far
wealthier. Zacchaeus kept half
of his fortune.
Isn't salvation to eternal life a
matter of belief?
If Jesus challenged you to do
it, could you?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

12. The Testimony of the rich young man
Matthew 19:16-22
The first and most important
commandment: “You shall have no
other gods before Me.”
Jesus knew that possessions were the
young man's god.
The rich young man had to take an
action to destroy this other god in his
life.
He could not because he was in
bondage to his wealth.
If Jesus is not Lord over our money and
possessions, He is not our Lord.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

13. The relationship between our spiritual
health and Attitude to possessions
Jesus judged Zacchaeus' true
spiritual condition by his willingness
to part with over half of his money.
Jesus judged the rich young man's
true spiritual condition by his
unwillingness to part with his
money.
Jesus will call us to take any action
needed to break our bondage to
money and possessions and so free
us to live completely under His
Lordship.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

14. The relationship between our spiritual
health and attitude to possessions
“When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of
snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the
way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to
God. . . .” (Luke 3:7–8, NLT)
The crowds asked, “What should we do?” John replied, “If you have
two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those
who are hungry.” Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptised and
asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more
taxes than the government requires.” Some soldiers asked, “What
should we do?” John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false
accusations. And be content with your pay.”” (Luke 3:10–14, NLT)
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

15. The relationship between our spiritual
health and attitude to possessions
No one asked John about money and
possessions.
The crowd wanted to know what
they had to do to show the reality of
their change of heart.
John's answers all revolved around
their thinking about money and
possessions.
John could not talk about spirituality
without talking in terms of how we
handle our money and possessions.
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

16. The relationship between our spiritual
health and attitude to possessions
In the Bible there is a strong relationship
between our spiritual well being and our
attitude and actions with money and
possessions.
The testimonies of Zacchaeus and the
rich young man teach us that the way we
handle money and possessions is the real
test of our true character.
It is like a thermometer not just of our
spiritual health but our whole lives.
How many health and family problems
have their origin in our attitude and
handling of money and possessions?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

17. Why Money and possessions are
important to God.
Money and possessions come from God
and are necessary parts of our lives.
The way we use them is directly related
to the depth of our relationship with God
and therefore have eternal
consequences.
In the Bible God has given us many clear
instructions on how we should use them.
How many times have we ignored His
instructions ? How often have we
insisted that about money and
possessions we know better than God?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015

18. Why Money and possessions are
important to God.
When was the last time you
looked to the Bible for
financial advice?
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015