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NEEDED: MORE BATTLES WON
(7)
Materialism
(2)
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Last week we introduced you
to the battlefront of materialism.
1.
Materialism involves our
attitude toward material wealth.
2.
Materialism can manifest
itself in many ways. We discussed
eight of these ways last week.
3.
Jesus taught that our
relationship to wealth is a heart issue (Matt. 6:19-21).
Lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves break through and steal:
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will
you heart be also.
B.
Recognizing the sin of
materialism is important. Then, we
need to develop strategies that will help us to overcome it. This is the purpose of this lesson this
morning.
I.
EMBRACE THE FACT THAT GOD OWNS EVERYTHING
A.
Two passages of
Scripture.
1.
Psalm
24:1
The earth is the
Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell
therein.
2.
Psalm
50:10-12
For every beast
of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the
mountains: and the wild beasts of
the field are mine. If I were
hungry, I would not tell thee: for
the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.
B.
Acknowledging this might be easy because the Bible says it is so. Understanding the fact that God owns all
and really embracing it is difficult because wealth and material goods seem to
be ours.
1.
We “earn” them.
2.
We presently possess them.
3.
We have control of how they are used.
II. FAITHFULLY
DISCHARGE YOUR STEWARDSHIP
A.
We do have many things in
our possession. We are also in
complete charge of them for a period of time.
1.
They are not ours,
however. We do not own them. God does.
2.
He expects us to use them
wisely and profitably for His best interests.
B.
I
Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1.
In the context, Paul refers
to himself as a steward of the mysteries of God.
a.
He had been entrusted with God’s message.
b.
What he did with that message was very important.
2.
In like manner, we have been entrusted with God’s possessions. What we do with them is very
important.
C.
These two ideas, God’s
ownership and my stewardship, help us to make responsible decisions about our
wealth.
1.
Should I make this
purchase?
2.
Would God approve of this
use of His funds?
3.
Should I be hording these
funds?
4.
Should I give to this
particular cause?
5.
Can I get a better grasp of
my finances so they can be better used for God’s service?
D.
We must get serious about
our stewardship. We are presently
stewards in the house of God. One
day, He will return, and we will give an account of our stewardship (Matt.
25:14-15, 19).
For the kingdom
of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants,
and delivered unto them his goods.
And unto the one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another
one: to every man according to his
several ability; and straight-way took his journey…After a long time the lord of
those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
1.
At His coming, He will
reward faithfulness.
2.
He will condemn the lazy,
indolent, indifferent, and wasteful.
III. DEVELOP THE PRACTICE OF
GRATITUDE
A.
We have a storehouse of
wealth and goods at our disposal.
These things bring us comfort and joy. They came from the God of heaven (I Tim.
6:17).
…who giveth us
richly all things to enjoy.
B.
We need to bow our heads in
prayer and lift up our hearts in praise and give thanks regularly for the gifts
God has given us.
1.
Psalm
100:4
Enter into his
gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his
name.
2.
I
Thessalonians 5:18
In everything
give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
IV. LEARN TO BE
CONTENT
A.
Contentment is commanded in
the Bible (I Tim. 6:6-8).
But godliness
with contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.
1.
Food and raiment are the
essentials for life.
a.
Food sustains life.
b.
Raiment protects us from the elements.
2.
Having these is enough.
Having these is sufficient.
3.
Having these, we should be able to say: “I don’t need
anything.”
B.
This disposition must be
learned (Phil. 4:11).
Not that I speak
in respect of want: for I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.
1.
We need to lessen our want
and desire for things and stuff.
…we must, in doing, deny our
carnal sense, we must settle our wild fancy and suppress fond conceits; we must
bend stiff and stubborn inclinations; we must repress and restrain wanton
desires, we must allay and still tumultuous passions; we must cross our humor
and curb our temper… (Barrow).
2.
We should do without for
self so that others can have.
3.
Experience the hardships and
sufferings of others (i.e., reading stories, going into the mission
field).
V. WE MUST
GROW SPIRITUALLY, ESPECIALLY IN GIVING
A. One
of the best ways to defeat materialism is by becoming a generous
giver.
1.
The rich man was told to go and sell all that he had and distribute to
the poor (Matt. 19:21).
2.
Zacchaeus determined to give half of his goods to the poor when he was
converted (Luke 19:8).
B.
Giving, however, is a growth area.
1.
Individuals must be taught.
As they absorb and apply the teaching, they mature in their
giving.
2.
Teachings about giving are found in many places in the
Bible.
a.
We know that God is a giver (John 3:16).
b.
Jesus was also a giver. He
gave Himself for our sins (Gal. 1:4).
c.
We are commanded to give (II Cor. 9:7).
d.
We are told that there are more blessings associated with giving than
with receiving (Acts 20:35).
e.
Many examples of generous givers are provided within God’s
Word.
1)
The poor widow (Mark 12:41-44).
2) The
early church (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35).
3)
The Macedonians (II Cor. 8:1-6).
C.
When we become mature givers
several things happen.
1.
We release our riches
instead of hording them.
2.
We greatly extend the Lord’s
work.
3.
We do not place the
temptation of materialism before our family that comes after
us.
CONCLUSION
A.
Oftentimes we are under the
assumption that more wealth will alleviate our problems.
B.
The fact of the matter is
that just the opposite can be true.
More wealth can create bigger problems. Many of them are spiritual in
nature.
C.
The word of the wise Agur
found in Proverbs 30:7-9 are good counsel for all.
Two things have I required of thee; deny them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
