Treasure Principle PT1

Starting today and for the next two weeks, Wednesday's Word is moving to Thursday! We want to bring you this special series right away straight from the sanctuary of Princeton Pike Church! Regular Wednesday podcasts will resume March 26.

TREASURE PRINCIPLE

It’s Just Stuff 

Week 1

TREASURE PRINCIPLE #1: God owns everything. I’m just His money manager.

MATERIALISM: 10 FATAL DANGERS

1.     MATERIALISM HINDERS OR DESTROYS OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES

Jesus rebukes the Laodicean Christians. (Revelation 3:17)

2.     MATERIALISM IS A BROKEN CISTERN THAT CAN’T HOLD WATER

Materialism’s detrimental effect on a nation. (Jeremiah 2:11-13)

3.     MATERIALISM BLINDS US TO THE CURSES OF WEALTH

Israelites during the Exodus. (Numbers 11:18-20)

4.     MATERIALISM BRINGS US UNHAPPINESS AND ANXIETY

5.     MATERIALISM ENDS IN FUTILITY

Solomon and his wealth. (Ecclesiastes 2:1, 8, 10-11)

6.     MATERIALISM OBSCURES MANY OF LIFE’S BLESSINGS

Riches take away our focus. (Matthew 19:23-24, Proverbs 11:4)

7.     MATERIALISM SPAWNS INDEPENDENCE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY

Israelites turn from God. (Deuteronomy 31:20)

8.     MATERIALISM LEADS TO PRIDE AND ELITISM

We mistakenly believe that we deserve credit for our prosperity. When, in

actuality, it is God who has given us our intellect (Daniel 2:21), our abilities

(Romans 12:6), and our capacity to earn money (Deuteronomy 8:18).

9.     MATERIALISM PROMOTES INJUSTICE AND EXPLOITATION

10.  MATERIALISM FOSTERS IMMORALITY AND THE DETERIORATION OF THE FAMILY

King David, spoiled by getting everything he wanted, did not deny himself one

more possession-another man’s wife. (2 Samuel 11:2-4)

Questions to ponder between now and next week.

1.     Father, what am I guarding and keeping for myself that’s preventing me from

depending wholeheartedly on You?

2.     If I were to make a list of all the assets You’ve entrusted to me, Lord, is there

anything that I’m treating as untouchable?

       3.  Father, are material assets competing with you for lordship over my life?

       4.   What specifically am I hanging onto that you want me to give away? What

happiness awaits me by letting go and becoming more of a giver?

TREASURE PRINCIPLE #5: Giving is the only antidote to materialism.