Money Talks: Nuts and Bolts
Preached on 1.25.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes
A simple description of a sound Kingdom financial plan: GIVE. SAVE. LIVE ON THE REST.
Giving:
- Rightly orients our priorities
- Reveals our hearts
- Grows our faith
- Grows us in discipline
- Gifts that are motivated by the Gospel (grace), from your heart, in proportion with your income, regular/systematic, cheerful, and generous, and in faith. The tithe (10%) is a great place to start. Do it first, from your gross.
- You can’t outgive God. (Lk. 6:38, Mal. 3:10)
Action Steps:
- Start giving as much as you can immediately—even if you are in debt. (Rare exceptions should not be made into rules.)
- Start with the tithe. Trust God. Seriously.
- Share your desire in Community Group. Get accountability.
- Be willing to make whatever changes are necessary to make this happen.
Questions for Reflection:
Am I giving in accordance with the Scriptures?
If not, how can I take the next step in that direction?
If so, how can you work your finances so you can give even more?
Saving:
Prov. 6:6-8, Prov. 30:8-9, 13:11, Ecc. 11:1-2
Why?
To make sure you have enough for when you need it. (Prov. 30:8-9)
When?
- For Now (Emergencies): $1000 “Oh No!” Emergency Fund, then 3-6 Months expenses for significant difficulties. Payroll deductions. Matching.
- For Now (Larger purchases, repairs, buy things with cash)
- For Later. (College, Later in life, ‘Retirement’) Prov. 13:11
- Think Marathon, not Sprint. Money + Time + Consistency = Wealth
- Diversified, Growth-Oriented Mutual Funds. – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Ecc. 11:1-2
How?
- Start saving what you can immediately—even if you are in debt.
- Start with a simple percentage (10-10-80 is a helpful place to begin).
- Share your goals with your Community Group. Get accountability.
- Make sure you have enough insurance, etc.
- Life Insurance (must if you have children!) 10x income. 20 yr. term.
- Disability Insurance
Questions for Reflection:
Am I saving in accordance with the Scriptures?
If not, how can I take the next step in that direction?
If so, how can you work your finances so you can save even more or invest it more wisely?
Do I have enough insurance?
Living on the Rest:
Lk. 16, Matt. 6, Many Proverbs
Why?
Because God owns it all and we are simply His stewards/managers. God calls us to be good stewards. It radically increases the quality of your life.
How?
- Find out where you are financially. – Start keeping receipts, watch your bills, pay stubs etc.
- Develop a picture of where God wants you to be financially. – Reverse Engineering: Give. Save. Live on the Rest! Now get specific.
- Commit to live on less than you make.
- Pray through, make, stick to a budget—“set of pre-made decisions” and “a map” – Quicken, Money, M-velopes. Vblogs Financial counselors are ready.
- Begin by cutting expenses (There is almost always something else to cut.)
- Pay down/eliminate your debt—especially ‘consumer debt.’
- Hang out with the right people. (Prov. 13:20)
- Put together a ‘bucket folder’
Questions for Reflection:
Am I living financially in accordance with the Scriptures (see above)?
If not, how can I take the next step in that direction?
If so, how can we improve and/or share our knowledge with others?
Applying the Gospel to Overcome Our Obstacles:
- Move past the ‘victim mentality.’ – At some point, you must take responsibility for your situation.
- Confess your sinful pattern that got you in your mess. Recognize that there is hope because of the finished work of Jesus Christ!
- The Gospel allows us to deal with the heart issues of Discontentment. Greed, Pride, Loving the World etc.
- Jesus is both our example and our means to follow His example.
- It all begins with coming to Christ. And coming to Christ daily.
We’d love to help! Email us at info[at]crossinglouisville[dot]com or call the office at 339.0281.
Works Consulted : Act Your Wage, Minding the Business, The Buck Starts Here + Supplemental Materials for all by Craig Groschel, Various Articles from Dave Ramsey, Friday Feedback with Chip Ingraham, L$st Series by Andy Stanley, Saving and Investing by Mark Driscoll, Dollar Sense by Rick McGinnis, Various Resources from Tim Keller, God and Your Stuff by Wesley K. Willmer, Jamie Munson, Article by Marc Gram