Hazardous To Your Wealth: Myths About Money
James Merritt
Malachi 3:7-12
Introduction
1. Americans are used to warnings. You can hardly turn anywhere that you don't read a warning label on something. There are warning labels that will alert you to inhaling fumes at the gas station, opening hot radiators, drinking diet soft drinks, smoking cigarettes, wearing seatbelts, and even letting small children play with plastic bags that over the clothes from the dry cleaners. These warnings are all designed to make us aware of potential dangers that could bring us great harm.
2. But when is the last time you saw a warning label on a dollar bill, or a stock certificate, or a bank deposit slip, or on a credit card? You won't find these warnings posted in Fortune magazine.
3. But the Bible carries a great deal of warnings about money.
''Do not overwork to be rich.'' (Prov. 23:4)
''He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase.'' (Eccl. 5:10)
''But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.'' (1 Tim. 6:9)
''Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?''' (Heb. 13:5-6)
4. Now I know that most people in America are not listening to these warnings for the following reasons:
91% of Americans make more money than ever before.
66% of Americans are more worried about their finances than ever before.
There has been a 27 year decline in the percentage of income that Christians give to charity.
1.5 - 3.5% is the percentage of income that Christians give to church and religious causes.
17% of Christians say they ''tithe'' (give 10% or more).
3% of Christians actually tithe (give 10% or more).
30 - 50% of acti ...
James Merritt
Malachi 3:7-12
Introduction
1. Americans are used to warnings. You can hardly turn anywhere that you don't read a warning label on something. There are warning labels that will alert you to inhaling fumes at the gas station, opening hot radiators, drinking diet soft drinks, smoking cigarettes, wearing seatbelts, and even letting small children play with plastic bags that over the clothes from the dry cleaners. These warnings are all designed to make us aware of potential dangers that could bring us great harm.
2. But when is the last time you saw a warning label on a dollar bill, or a stock certificate, or a bank deposit slip, or on a credit card? You won't find these warnings posted in Fortune magazine.
3. But the Bible carries a great deal of warnings about money.
''Do not overwork to be rich.'' (Prov. 23:4)
''He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase.'' (Eccl. 5:10)
''But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.'' (1 Tim. 6:9)
''Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?''' (Heb. 13:5-6)
4. Now I know that most people in America are not listening to these warnings for the following reasons:
91% of Americans make more money than ever before.
66% of Americans are more worried about their finances than ever before.
There has been a 27 year decline in the percentage of income that Christians give to charity.
1.5 - 3.5% is the percentage of income that Christians give to church and religious causes.
17% of Christians say they ''tithe'' (give 10% or more).
3% of Christians actually tithe (give 10% or more).
30 - 50% of acti ...
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