Sermons About Possessed
Gift
God doesn't need our money. In the area of contributing, He is more concerned about our hearts than the dollar amount. II Corinthians 9:5-7 teaches the principle of planned giving. We are to plan our giving (need for budget) in order that our gifts can be cheerfully offered. However, planning can never exclude our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver and despises a begrudged heart. All our gifts (worship, prayer, time in serving, and money) are to be offered in cheerfulness.
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Cow
God revealed Himself to his people as a God whose beginning is not known. So at Mt. Sinai, the people of God exchanged this God they could not control for an idol with more mangeable qualities. Today, we worship money which promises to give us power over our lives, rather than risk it with a God who is beyond our control. When Jesus called a rich dude to give it all up, He really called him to give up where he had security and instead place his trust in Jesus. Are we choosing the safety of the known (what is our golden/sacred cow?), rather than following Jesus?
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Seed
Imagine an ancient farmer scattering seed on the ground. What are sowing lessons that we need to learn when it comes to giving? First, there is a mystery of reproduction. No one can truly explain why a tiny seed grows into a massive tree. Second, farmers use their brain. Freestyle farming leads to poverty. Instead, the wise farmer uses the practices that maximize the harvest. Third, farmers are looking for the biggest harvest possible. In that interest, they set aside the minimum amount needed to feed their family and plants the rest. This is opposite to our culture's approach to building wealth. Based on Proverbs, if we have nothing it may come from a lack of generosity. Worry will cause us to hoard, but Jesus calls us to not worry. God will not abandon us but provide for His kids. Our priority is to seek Him first.
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Box
Remember the thrill of winning at checkers or Parcheesi? You become the Master of the Board—the victor over everyone else. But what happens after that? It all goes back into the box. Being Master of the Board is not the point; being rich toward God is. Winning the game of life on Earth is a temporary victory; loving God and other people with all our hearts is a win that lasts forever.
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