Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Appetites; Contentment; Foolishness; Greed; Lifestyle; Luxury; Materialism; Money; Possessions; Prosperity; Riches; Satisfaction; Stewardship; Stinginess References: Exodus 16:11–31; Amos 6:1–7; Matthew 6:19–21, 24; 25:14–30; Luke 12:15–21; 1 Timothy 6:10; James 5:1–6; 1 John 3:17 People in the United States possess about 1.9 billion square feet of personal storage space outside of the home. This self-storage … Continue reading “MORE
SPACE FOR STUFF”

Topics: Ambition; Judgment; Loss; Luxury; Money; Mortality; Possessions; Prosperity; Riches; Stewardship; Value; Vulnerability; Worth References: Psalm 39:6; 144:4; Proverbs 21:6; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 6:19–21; 16:26; Luke 12:13–21; James 5:1–6 The man who would have sold his Picasso painting for $139 million put an elbow through it minutes before completing the sale. Throughout his life, … Continue reading “COSTLY
MOVE”

Topics: Appetites; Belonging; Choices; Culture; Entertainment; Idolatry; Lifestyle; Possessions; Satisfaction; Self-centeredness; Self-worth References: Psalm 86:11; 115:4–8; Proverbs 8:10–11 When you buy something, you can join any number of tribes on any number of days and feel part of something bigger than yourself. You can belong to the Callaway tribe when you play golf, the VW … Continue reading “HOW
BRANDS BUY US”

Topics: Community; Finances; Godliness; Growth; Holiness; Materialism; Renewal; Responsibility; Sacrifice; Sanctification; Self-control; Thankfulness References: Proverbs 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 6:19–21, 24; 16:26; 19:23; Mark 4:19; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 What would it be like to go through an entire year without purchasing anything new? That’s the question a small West Coast group … Continue reading “SHOPPING
SABBATICAL”

Topics: Finances; Frugality; Habits; Lifestyle; Money; Possessions; Prosperity; Riches; Self-control; Spending; Stewardship; Women References: Proverbs 21:20; 31:10–31; Matthew 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 What spending habits are the most difficult to break? A Harris Interactive poll of 1,202 women discovered these habits are toughest to control: •     eating out or getting takeout: 49 percent •     shopping … Continue reading “MONEY
DRAIN”

Topics: Advice; Choices; Consequences; Finances; Foolishness; Guidance; Investments; Money; Stewardship References: Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 19:11–27; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Timothy 6:10 It was our first financial mistake, and it was a big one. After my wife and I said “I do” in June of 2003, we found ourselves with a sizable chunk of money (sizable … Continue reading “WHEN
A DIAMOND ISN’T FOREVER”

Topics: Character; Money References: Proverbs 22:1; Matthew 19:23–24 If you were a jerk before, you’ll be a bigger jerk with a billion dollars. —Warren Buffet, billionaire businessman

Topics: Gratitude; Integrity; Poverty; Rewards; Riches; Self-centeredness; Stinginess References: Proverbs 10:9; Matthew 6:19–21; 7:12; 16:26; 19:23; Luke 6:31; 12:15–34; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5; James 2:8 In 2006, Charles Moore lost his job as a roofer in Toledo, Ohio, and decided to return to his hometown of Detroit to look for work. He couldn’t find … Continue reading “HOMELESS
MAN FINDS TREASURE”

Topics: Desires; Hunger; Prayer; Seeking God; Spiritual Disciplines References: Psalm 42:1; Jeremiah 29:13; John 6:26–27 One night as his family was finishing dinner, Mike Benson noticed six green beans left on his daughter’s plate. Ordinarily this wouldn’t bother Mike, but this night he was irked and said to his eight-year-old, “Eat your green beans.” “I’m … Continue reading “SEGMENTED
STOMACH”

Topics: Anger; Bitterness; Conflict; Forgiveness; Relationships References: Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14 Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. —Ron McManus, Springfield, Missouri