Breaking Point: The Economy

Text: Daniel 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Summary: In Daniel 3, we see a society that is controlled by money, and worships it.  In 1 Timothy 6, we see a biblical outline of how to properly respond to the economy (world, national, and personal) and avoid a financial breaking point in your life.


1.  In Daniel 3, the king makes sure that the financial symbol is visible for everyone to see.  He rallies the politicians and the leaders to convey the same message.  He puts pressure on people to have the same mindset and beliefs about finances as he does.  So what about the world today?  What is the message that culture is telling us about money?  What pressures do we often fall into when it comes to money?


2.  There are many sayings about how money proves things about us.  "Put your money where your mouth is."  "If you want to know what matters most to someone, then look at a person's checkbook."  So let's look at our spiritual lives.  Are you putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to God?  Do you believe that you can follow Jesus and be surrendered to him without giving generously to him?

Take a look at your checkbook and calendar.  The places you spend the most amount of money and time are the things that matter the most to you.  So what are the top 3 things?  Where on the list does God appear?


3.  There were 4 things that Paul tells Timothy in order to find true peace, happiness, and contentment when it comes to finances.

a.  Life is short.  If you were told you were going to die tomorrow, what would your regrets be?  It probably won't be "I wish I would have worked more" or "I wish I would have made more money" or "I wish I would have grown my business more."  Scripture says that we aren't promised tomorrow, so how can you live your life NOW and enjoy and value the things that God has already given you?

b.  God takes care of His people.  When we fret over money and the economy, we are really showing what we place our trust and faith in.  When we worry over money, what does that communicate to God?  (You can't handle it, you're not good enough, you can't provide for me, you need some help, I don't trust you).

c.  Remember where your hope is.  Why do people want money so much?  Why do we always want more?  Why is it so important to us?  (because it gives us security and it gives us hope in the future).  As Christians, our hope and security is found in Jesus.  A dangerous result of being rich is that we begin to lose our trust and hope and reliance on God and trust/hope/rely on ourselves and our money.  No wonder God warned rich people so often in the Bible!

d.  Remember the purpose of your economy.  Why do you think money exists?  Why does God provide it?  Do you believe that God provides it for you?  Which makes more sense: that God would give you something like money to distract you from Him, to cause your faith and trust to dwindle as a result of His gift of money to you?  OR, do you think God gives us money in order to use as a TOOL to accomplish His mission here on earth?


REMINDER:  There IS a great reason for you to constantly worry about finances.  That reason is if you aren't being faithful with what God has given you.  God won't continue to give you money and bless your life if you are just going to throw it away on selfish, useless things.  If you're doing that, then you should be VERY afraid about your financial stability and future.

If you're being faithful, obedient, and generous with your finances, and treating them as a tool to use to get other people to Jesus, then Scripture is very clear that God will give you everything you need AND MORE to accomplish what He's called you to do, and promises to take care of you!