Paper Roses

Monday, he called up to remind me that he is in the country.  Damn, how can I forget that he informed me about it 2 months ago.  So I hurriedly went to the meeting area to see him and our batchmates from elementary years.  Oh man, his eyes were the same.  Looking at it brought me back to our 4^th grade when I gave him a short love note with letters only I could understood.  But I never told him it came from me.  I told him it was from a friend.  2011, after 16 years since highschool, this is the first time we saw each other again.  The intensity of being-ok-though-it-felt-awkward was high. In short, I did not know how to act.  But I did.  We had dinner and toured around the city, had laughs and short talks.  But yeah, the feeling was a little awkward.  Yet I hope it will happen again when we see each other again in November.  My crush.  He still is.

What does the Bible say about money?

Warm up question:  If you will be blessed with wealth (money), how much would you would want it to be and why?  Please be a little specific with the figure.

Why do we need to talk about money?  Money is a personal possession and is a sensitive topic.  We talk about money only with people we are very confident with, close friends, financial advisers, or family members.  Why?  Nowadays, money has become our identity statement.  It is featured through the way we dress, the brand and model of our hand phones, bags, shoes, and the way of living.  There can be many things that will benchmark our financial value.  As Christians, we view this state as being blessed.

In the Bible, there are 800 scriptures referring to money.  There are stories about money, love of money, tribute of money, and warnings.

1)    Where do material blessings come from?

·         Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Example: CREATION.

·         Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.”

·         Riche men in the Bible:

1)    Abraham – Animals, maidservants, son.  Abrahamic covenant.

2)    Isaac – Land, animals, crops – Blessed through Abraham.

3)    Jacob- Blessed through Isaac.  Blessing rivalry with Brother Esau.

4)    David- I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread [Psalms 37:25].

5)    Solomon – son of David.  The wisest and richest king.

6)    Joseph the disciple. - Built the first Christian church.

·         Your money is not your own.  It all belongs to God. 

2)    Why is not everyone wealthy?  God has always wanted us blessed even from the beginning.  God wants us prosperous.  But because of greed and love of money, it has led us to destruction. 

Ø  1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

*Contentment, discipline, investment, tithing, seek His kingdom first, know your priorities (family/future), every blessing has a purpose, know your goal.

Ø  Matt 6: 24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  KJV

Mammon is a term, derived from the Bible, used to describe material wealth or greed, most often personified as a deity, and sometimes included in the seven princes of Hell. (Personification) Mamon -Dinero in Spanish.  He is one of the 7 prince of hell.  Prince of Greed.

This craving for fortune is nothing new. Two thousand years ago Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25 NIV)

Why is that? Jesus, who knew the human heart better than anyone ever has or ever will, understood that it's a matter of priorities. Too often, rich people make wealth their number one priority instead of God. They spend most of their time making wealth, spending it, and increasing it. In a very real sense, money becomes their idol.

God won’t stand for that. He told us so in his First Commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3 NIV).

Why is there suffering/ lack of money?

a)    Sin – Esau and Jacob

b)    Discipline – warning, prevention to further evil

c)    To seek Him – Jehovah Jireh

d)    To bless us again

3)    Wealth cannot buy happiness

Despite all their money, many rich people feel empty and without meaning.

-       Some surround themselves with a dozen hangers-on.

-       Confusing opportunists with friends. Loyal during the times of troubles and happiness?

-       No time for most important people of their lives, most important things to do.

-       Others get pulled in by New Age beliefs and religious cults

-       Searching in vain for something that will help them make sense of their lives – surgeries.

4)    Seeing Ourselves as we Really Are

Because of the world's false values, we seldom see ourselves as we really are. The truth is that in the eyes of God, every believer is rich and famous. We possess the richness of a salvation that can never be taken from us. This is the treasure that’s immune from moths and rust. We take it with us when we die, unlike money or fancy possessions. We are famous and precious to our Savior, so much that he sacrificed himself so we can spend eternity with him. His love surpasses any earthly fame because it will never end.

It’s time to stop comparing houses, cars, clothes, and bank accounts. It’s time to stop feeling inadequate because we don’t own the outward symbols of success. Instead, it’s time to turn our eyes to our intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s where we’ll experience our greatest fulfillment. That’s where we’ll finally find all the riches we’ve ever wanted.