Paul's Prayer of Thanks for God's Work in Them

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 1:1-8

Paul opens Philippians with prayers of thanksgiving for their faithful financial support of Paul's personal ministry. He calls them full ministry partners, even though they were unable to do anything other than give their money for the work Paul was doing over five hundred miles away. We, too, can be full partners in ministry even if physically we are no longer able to "do the work" of ministry by faithfully giving our money to the cause.

Teaching Our Kids to Be Givers Not Takers

Gloria McCallum

Acts 20:35

Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As parents, we don't have to teach our kids to be selfish or entitled. They are born knowing how to be self-centered. We are bombarded by the culture with messages of being a good parent means being child-centered. But research confirms what Jesus told us. We really are happier when we give sacrificially to others.

The Hidden Cost of Materialism

James Rochford

1 Timothy 6:3-19

Materialism is deceiving because it promises happiness but delivers depression. It promises fulfillment but leaves you feeling empty. Studies show again and again that attaining the one's highest material goals never satisfies. The Bible has a solution. God instructs those who want to be rich to invest in eternal things. Develop critical thinking skills to combat the lies of this world, practice gratitude for what you do have, think about your end of life and what you want to leave behind, and become a generous giver.

Avoiding Avarice

Chris Hearty

1 Timothy 6:6-19

In this world, we are flooded with the message that material things will bring happiness. The Bible strongly refutes this belief. True happiness is found in pursuing an eternal value system. Without God's perspective on material things, we cannot fully enjoy the things we do obtain. One of the best ways to avoid the trap of materialism is to be a generous giver.

Preparing for Christ's Return

Ryan Lowery

Matthew 25:14-40

God has blessed all of us with various "riches"--talents, money, time, and other resources. God has given us the role of steward--asking us to wisely use these gifts for His purposes, instead of just using them for our own purposes. In order to be wise stewards, we have to see God as a good and worthy lord of our life, who will recognize our sacrifices as we seek to be good stewards.

Escaping Avarice

Dennis McCallum

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Paul warns Timothy of the danger of material avarice, which is the extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Instead, Paul encourages the positive values of simple living and the compassionate us of wealth. Paul is not condemning being wealthy, but putting your faith in your wealth instead of God. The problem is not money but the love of money which can lead to conceit and fixing your hope in the uncertainty of riches. There are great riches to be found in contentment and appreciation.

How to Effectively Fight Poverty

James Rochford

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Paul gives Timothy principles for giving financial aid to those in need in the church and outside the church. Poverty is very complicated, but God is liberating people across the globe from physical, medical, educational, and spiritual poverty. As God liberates believers, He calls us to let Him lead us in liberating our finances for Him to bless others around the world.

Assessing Good Spiritual Leadership

Ryan Lowery

Matthew 23:1-25

In the final week of Jesus' life, we see him rebuke religious leaders of the day through his actions and his teachings. In this passage Jesus teaches that good leaders teach the Bible, live what they teach, live modestly, and give God the glory. Instead of pointing people toward trying to keep a set of rules, good leaders help people depend on God to change from the inside out.

Is Pleasure Meaningless without God?

James Rochford

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

There was no pleasure that King Solomon denied himself. He indulged himself in alcohol, entertainment, women, anything money could buy. Not that any of those things are wrong in themselves, but pursuing them for happiness or meaning is fruitless. He found all those things were meaningless. He discovered he could not enjoy the gifts apart from the Giver of the gifts, God.