For the Love of Money...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Led by Eric Gintert

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10

• 1 Timothy 6:1-21  -  We are commanded to be content with food and raiment... These are our only requirements for life, everything else is extra. The rich have much temptation and snares because of there riches. It is important to note the the scripture states that the love of money is the root of all evil. Money in it's self is not evil. It's the love of money that is evil. Money is also the root of all evil. Much evil starts from an issue of money. We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind but we cannot do this is our first love is money.
• See Matthew 19:23-26, Matthew 6:24, and Matthew 22:37
• Exodus 20:3-17  -  We can look at just the ten commandments, God's Law, and see where money is oftentimes at the root of evil.
• "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Money is a god to many people. They will do anything and everything to get more money... their whole life revoles around money.
• "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..." By putting the phrase "In God We Trust" on our currency we are creating for ourselves a graven where we lift up our dollar bill and praise how much we have. It is like the golden calf of Moses' day when the people, instead of praising God for delivering them, praised the golden calf saying it was their deliverer. Now we praise our money because it gives us what we want and delivers us from our troubles. We are not truly trusting in God, but our graven image that we have created.
• "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain..." We also take God's name in vain when we proclaim "In God We Trust" on our money but we are really cursing His name when we didn't have enough money to care for our needs and wants. We truly are not trusting in God.
• "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." For the love of money many businesses choose to be open on Sunday's so that they can bring in more money. Even Christian stores open on Sunday's!
• "Honour thy father and thy mother..." How many times has a spoiled child dishonored their parents because they would not give them money? Read Luke 15:11-32 about a son who dishonored his father for money and ended up in much trouble.
• "Thou shalt not kill." We have seen many news stories about people who have murdered because of money. Scripture also says that to hate some one is murder (1 John 3:15). How many people hate Bernie Madoff?
• "Thou shalt not commit adultery." An entire industry makes it's money from adulterous acts. Prostitution and "gentleman's clubs" are adulterous money making businesses.
• "Thou shalt not steal." Bank robberies, children stealing money from parents, etc.
• "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." How many people have lied in an interview in hopes of getting a high paying job? How many husbands/wives lie to their spouse about the money they are spending on gambling?
• "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." "Keeping up with the Jones'".
• Revelation 13:11-17  -  When the Anti-Christ is come, he will want to give his mark to everyone. Without this mark we will not be able to buy or sell (the root of all evil). The true Christians who will refuse this mark will be unable to purchase anything and will possibly be killed for their faith in God.
• Proverbs 11:28  -  "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." There is no doubt about it, if your trust is in your money you will fall. But God is our strong tower and if we put our trust in Him, He will sustain us.

Click Here to read a free preview of a book about George Mueller. A man who trusted fully in God and relied on His hand through prayer to provide the money they needed in order to follow God's will for his life.

Children's Lesson: "The Tomb in the Garden"

Read Matthew 27:59-60

Questions to Answer:

1.   What was the name of the hill where Jesus was crucified?

2.   Who asked Pilate for permission to bury the body of Jesus?

3.   How did Joseph and Nicodemus prepare Jesus' body to be buried?

4.   Where did Joseph and Nicodemus bury Jesus?

5.   Who was watching as Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus' body?

Bible Verse:

"The third day he shall rise again/" Luke 18:33

Prayer Requests:

The Duggar Family  -  miscarriage last week

Pray that Christians hearts would not be hardened against the Duggars for having so many children... they are living their lives as the Word of God has shown and much of the criticism comes from fellow professing Christians.

Ed G  -  salvation

Larry S.  -  salvation

Ray W.  -  back pain; salvation

Ron J.  -  salvation