150405 eng wealth in the bible by steve miller

Introduction
• Who is Steve Miller?
– Born and raised in the “OC” (California)
– Parents Divorced when I was 6
– Grilled Cheese and Canned Soup…”we was po”
– Both parents were not good stewards with money

Malaysian Work Experience
– Set the context for the discussion today

– Head of Business Banking

• Focus on Chinese SME’s

• Relationship based businesses

• Malaysian Chinese Businessmen think from a “Win-
Win” perspective

• Malaysian Chinese Businessmen think from a “Win-
Win” perspective
• In the West the Banker has to “buy” but not here

– What Have I learned about Chinese Wealth vs.
other cultures

other cultures
• Long-term thinking

other cultures
• Diligent Savers

other cultures
• Diligent Savers
• Quite conservative

other cultures
• Diligent Savers
• Quite conservative
• Normal weaknesses…..Money related

Wealth in the Bible
• Topics to Discuss:
– Hope in God not Wealth

Wealth in the Bible
– God is not against wealth

Wealth in the Bible
– Wisdom + Wealth

Wealth in the Bible
– Wisdom + Wealth
– God looks at our heart …always!

Wealth in the Bible
– Wisdom + Wealth
– God looks at our heart …always!
– Tithes and Offerings

What does the Bible say about Wealth?
–The Bible is filled with stories on:
• Sex

• Sex
• Murder

• Sex
• Murder
• Infidelity

• Sex
• Murder
• Infidelity
• And …..MONEY

– All of these impact MEN in the bible

– Today we will focus on Money
• …”the root of all evil”

– Paul: Place our Hope in God Not wealth
• 1 Timothy 6:6-20

– Paul: Place our Hope in God Not wealth
• 1 Timothy 6:6-20
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food
and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich
fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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.

Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life
to which you were called when you made your good confession
in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who
gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying
before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about
in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of
kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives
in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To
him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to
be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the
life that is truly life.
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn
away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is
falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in
so doing have departed from the faith.

Wealth in the Bible
– So is God against Wealth?
• Parable of the talents- Matthew 25:14-30

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants
and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to
another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his
ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five
bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags
more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But
the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground
and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled
accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold
brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags
of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you
entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he
said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown
and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and
went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I
harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers,
so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten
bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken
from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Wealth in the Bible
–So is God against Wealth?
• God is a socialist and a capitalist….he wants people
to work hard in all things

Wealth in the Bible
• Hand up not a “hand out” (he would not like
BRIM)

Wealth in the Bible
BRIM)
• God cares the most about what we do with our
talents….to help advance his kingdom

Wealth in the Bible
BRIM)
• God cares the most about what we do with our
talents….to help advance his kingdom
• To he who much is given, much is required

Wealth in the Bible
– But wealth alone with no Godly Wisdom can be evil

Wealth in the Bible
1. Do not be tight fisted
Deut 15:- If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in
any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving
you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.

Wealth in the Bible
1. Do not be tight fisted
Deut 15:- If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in
any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving
you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.
(Penangites)

Wealth in the Bible
2. Wretched Rich
Rev 3:17- You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and
do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are
wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked

Wealth in the Bible
3. Listen Rich people
James 5:1-6- Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail
because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has
rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and
silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and
eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed
your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on
earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened
yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned
and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Wealth in the Bible
–Wealth + Wisdom is Good

Wealth in the Bible
• Different faces of Wealth

Wealth in the Bible
– Eccl 5:10- Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their
income.This too is meaningless.

Wealth in the Bible
– I Samuel 2:7- The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he
humbles and he exalts.

Wealth in the Bible
– I Samuel 2:7- The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he
humbles and he exalts.
– Eccl 7:12- Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom
preserves those who have it.

Wealth in the Bible
• Solomon’s request to God….would you ask for
this?
– 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Wealth in the Bible
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask
for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness
to David my father and have made me king in his place.
9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be
confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who
are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me
wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for
who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Wealth in the Bible
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire
and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor,
nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not
asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to
govern my people over whom I have made you king,
12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And
I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as
no king who was before you ever had and none after you
will have.”

Wealth in the Bible
– So how can we be “biblically wealthy?”

Wealth in the Bible
• What is your heart’s treasure?
Matthew 6:21- For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also.

Wealth in the Bible
will be also.
• Be content
–Hebrews 13:5- Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have, because God has said,
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Wealth in the Bible
will be also.
• Be content
–Hebrews 13:5- Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have, because God has said,
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
• All needs met
–Philippians 4:19- And my God will meet all your needs
according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Wealth in the Bible
• Cannot serve 2 masters
– Matt 6:24
– Luke 16:13-15- “No one can serve two masters. Either
you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and money.”14 The Pharisees, who loved
money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He
said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in
the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What
people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Wealth in the Bible
• Give it all up and follow me
– Matt 19:21- 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be
perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me.”

Wealth in the Bible
• Biblical thoughts on Debt-

Wealth in the Bible
• Plan ahead
– Asians….especially Chinese are better than most at this
– Luke 14:28- Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.
Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if
you have enough money to complete it?

Wealth in the Bible
• Plan ahead
– Asians….especially Chinese are better than most at this
– Luke 14:28- Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.
Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if
you have enough money to complete it?
• Lender to many…borrower to none
– Deut 28:12- The Lord will open the heavens, the
storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in
season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will
lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

Wealth in the Bible
• Tithes and Offerings

Wealth in the Bible
• Why should we Tithe?

Wealth in the Bible
– Biblical command- Give 1/10th

Wealth in the Bible
– Gen 28:22- and this stone that I have set up as a pillar
will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will
give you a tenth.”

Wealth in the Bible
– Gen 28:22- and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will
be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a
tenth.”
– Lev 27:30-32- “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether
grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the
Lord; it is holy to the Lord. …32 Every tithe of the herd and
flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s
rod—will be holy to the Lord.

Wealth in the Bible
– Proverbs 3:9-10- Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first
fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to
overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.11 My son,
do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his
rebuke,12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father
the son he delights in.[a]

Wealth in the Bible
– Proverbs 3:9-10- Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first
fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to
overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.11 My son,
do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his
rebuke,12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father
the son he delights in.[a]
– Numbers 18:21-32- The Lord said to Moses, 26 “Speak to the Levites
and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I
give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe
as the Lord’s offering.

Wealth in the Bible
– Do not Rob God, But instead “test him”
– Malachi 3:9-12-You are under a curse—your whole nation—
because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in
this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open
the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that
there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent
pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields
will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord
Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for
yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Wealth in the Bible
• Tithes- Honor God but do not boast about tithes
– Matt 6:1-4- “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in
front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no
reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the
needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by
others….4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your
Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Wealth in the Bible
• Tithes- Honor God but do not boast about tithes
– Matt 6:1-4- “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in
front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no
reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the
needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by
others….4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your
Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
– Luke 11:42- “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a
tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but
you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have
practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

Wealth in the Bible
What is the difference between a tithe and an
offering/gift?

Wealth in the Bible
offering/gift?
• Gift/Offering is above and beyond the normal tithe

Wealth in the Bible
offering/gift?
• Church Building fund

Wealth in the Bible
offering/gift?
• Church Building fund
• If it doesn’t “hurt” then it really isn’t much of a sacrifice

Wealth in the Bible
Promised blessings for the giver
• Cheerful Giver
– 2 Corinthians 9:6-14- Remember this: Whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you
should give what you have decided in your heart to
give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you
abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all
that you need, you will abound in every good work

Wealth in the Bible
Promised blessings for the giver
• Parable of the widow
– Luke 21:1-4, Mark 12:41-44- Truly I tell you,” he said,
“this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth;
but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Wealth in the Bible
Blessings for the giver
• Better to give then receive
– Acts 20:35- In everything I did, I showed you that by
this kind of hard work we must help the weak,
remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It
is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Wealth in the Bible
Blessings for the giver
• Better to give then receive
– Acts 20:35- In everything I did, I showed you that by
this kind of hard work we must help the weak,
remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It
is more blessed to give than to receive.’
• Press down and flowing over
– Luke 6:38- Give, and it will be given to you. A good
measure, pressed down, shaken together and running
over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Wealth in the Bible
The Ultimate Offering
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– Our hope should be in God not Wealth

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– God is not against people being wealthy

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– But Wisdom must come first

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– God looks at your heart (cannot serve 2 masters)

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– Commandment to Tithe

Wealth in the Bible
In Summary:
– Commandment to Tithe
– God loves a cheerful giver

What are we doing (giving) to help
expand HIS church?

150405 eng wealth in the bible by steve miller

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