Excerpt: God’s Word talks a lot about money and possessions.  We find true freedom in our finances when we do it God’s way.  

When it comes to money and finances, everyone has an opinion.  Who do you listen to?  Does culture direct our decisions? Do we follow the advice of influencers like Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman, or Dave Ramsay?  We’re trusting God and his Word for our eternity, so we ought to be able to trust him with our money.  

Getting our minds right about stewardship vs. ownership is critical in experiencing freedom and peace with our money. 

• Psalm 50:10-12 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
• Everything belongs to God.  He is the creator and sustainer of all things.  The very breath in my lungs is given to me by him. When I recognize that it’s not “my” money or “my” resources, but instead God’s resources, it gives me a totally different perspective.  It also takes away anxiety because God has unlimited resources.  He has asked me to be faithful in managing a little.  He may ask me to manage more as I show myself faithful - parables of the talents.  We want to be clear that we’re not talking about a prosperity gospel here.  
• James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
• God is so generous.  Every good and perfect gift is from him.  He isn’t stingy.  
• You might want to push back and say, “My hard work created this wealth.” Who gave you the abilities and talents you used in that work? Who gave you the physical and mental health to be able to be productive?  

Chasing after the world’s treasures fills us with anxiety and always leaves us wanting. 

• Summarize Luke 12:13-34
• Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
• 22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
• 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
• There’s no display of gratitude in the rich farmer. He clearly has the mindset of an owner instead of a steward.  There’s no thought to asking how he can use this abundance to glorify God or bless others.  It’s all selfish.  The scary thing is it sounds like the American dream doesn’t it?  Make all you can and then kick back in retirement and make it all about you? 
• Jesus tells us not to worry about basic needs: food, clothing, shelter.  Imagine what he would say to us.  How many of us have worried about food this week?  And trying to pick between Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse doesn’t count.  
• These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers.  If we were to take an honest assessment, what dominates our thoughts?  The things of God - expanding his kingdom, worshiping him, hearing from him - or the things of the world?  How can we check that? How many times have you looked at your 401K balance this week or month?  How many times have you caught yourself thinking, “If I only had this much more money”?  

Discipline and generosity are a powerful combination that brings victory in our finances. 

• Proverbs 22:7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
• Avoid debt
• Delayed gratification  
• Save, Share, Spend 
• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;    wealth from hard work grows over time.
• Personal story of high risk investments in my early 20s 
• Luke 12:33 .33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need.
• Practical giving advice for young men

God isn’t anti-wealth, but he wants you to have wealth that isn’t temporary. 

• Luke 12:34 This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
• God knows that where our treasure is, that’s where our heart will be.  When he is our treasure, he’ll have our heart.  God wants us to enjoy riches that will last forever, not ones that waste away or get destroyed. 
• Being able to transition into full-time ministry because we weren’t in debt, didn’t have a lavish lifestyle
• Live simply so that others may simply live