The Curse and Blessing of Wealth

Harris Creek

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The Curse and Blessing of Wealth

Ecclesiastes

October 24, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Ecclesiastes 5, 1 Timothy 6:9–10, Philippians 4:11–13, Matthew 6:19–21

Have you ever wanted to buy something that you didn’t have enough money for? Or, have you ever been able to buy something that you really wanted? What did you feel like in both of those situations? As we continue our series studying the book of Ecclesiastes, JP teaches through chapter 5, showing us a biblical perspective on wealth and what it can do to us.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

-Jesus had more to say about money than any other topic other than the kingdom of God.

-Why is it that it’s easier to give away $1 when you have $10 than $1,000,000 when you have $10,000,000?

-How much money is enough for you? What number do you need to make each year?

-Wealth can be a curse.

-Simply put, wealth can complicate your life.

-Wealth can be a curse to your satisfaction. When you feed greed, it grows.

-If you are a Christian, being rich only comes with a high amount of responsibility.

-Wealth can curse your relationships. Are people your friend because of your money?

-Wealth can curse your sleep. You can have all the money in the world and not be able to turn off your mind and sleep.

-Wealth can be a curse to death. Many families have been torn apart because of wealth inherited after a death.

-Wealth can be a curse to your sanity. You can have a lot of money and lose your mind or your memory.

-Desiring to be wealthy and thinking it will make us better and happier is a lesson that most all of us can’t seem to learn.

-Wealth in an of itself is not bad. Every good and perfect gift is from God above.

-While Scripture doesn’t teach that poverty equates with godliness, most of us blow past the warning signs it teaches about wealth and prosperity.

-God can make wealth a blessing.

-Is Jesus enough for you? When you are hurt, hungry, alone, persecuted, or poor, is Jesus enough?

-The rich are better than the poor because while the poor think money will make them happier the rich know better. Those who are content are infinitely better than both.

-There are four categories of wealth in the Scripture: rich, poor, righteous rich, & righteous poor. Which are you?

-God has solicited and trusted you to play the role of His financial advisor. How are you doing at stewarding what He has given you?

-When deciding how to steward money, pray and consult your life group. If those feel like constraints and you are a Christian, they are the path to freedom. Constraints equal freedom for Christians.

-Don’t waste your wealth under the sun.

-You can’t take your money with you, but you can send it ahead and have it to your credit when you get there.

-Invest your wealth beyond the sun.

-The essence of having something in storage means you don’t need it.

-Read Matthew 6:19-21 in the next week and pray about what it looks like for you to obediently apply it in your life.

-Where do you need to change your perspective on wealth to align it with God’s perspective?

-Christians—based on God’s love and generosity—should be the most generous people on the planet.

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

-Suggested Scripture Study: Ecclesiastes 5; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Philippians 4:11-13; Matthew 6:19-21

-Sermon: Better Together and Awful Alone.

The End of the Search

November 28, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Ecclesiastes 12, Matthew 10:26–31, 1 Kings 11:1–6

What does it mean to fear God? Christians are commanded to do so all throughout the Scriptures. As we finish our series studying the book of Ecclesiastes, JP teaches us what it means to fear God. KEY TAKEAWAYS -We are all moving toward death. You are older now than when you read the sentence before this. -Fear and follow God before your body fails. -You can and should take care of your body, but you are going to die. -Form your theology before your decline. -Don’t buy into a false theology that God is not loving and kind because we are commanded to fear Him. -Read other books, but only in addition to the Bible, not as a supplement to the Bible. -Fear and follow God by holding firmly to His Word. -There are so many distractions in this world that the enemy uses to pull you off track. -Your quiet time is not a means to please God. It’s a method of survival to fight against an enemy that is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you. -If you are not regularly reading the Bible you are backsliding. -Why would God make known to us His mysterious will when we are clearly disobeying and overlooking His revealed will? -Fearing God and following Him means living by faith. -Is your life marked by acts of faith? Things you did that if God didn’t show up you’d be considered foolish and a failure? -Every sin you’ve ever committed is against God. -If someone can come back from the dead after being tortured and crucified, you should fear them. If they were tortured and killed and came back from the dead for you, you should follow them. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: Ecclesiastes 12; Matthew 10:26-31; 1 Kings 11:1-6 -Sermon: Wisdom in Words, Work, and Worship -Resource: http://www.biblereadingplan.org

Wisdom in Words, Work, and Worship

November 21, 2021 • Nate Hilgenkamp • Ecclesiastes 10, Ecclesiastes 11, James 1:19, Colossians 3:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:6–8

While toddlers can be really funny with their actions and words, there is a big difference when adults do and say similar things. As we continue studying the book of Ecclesiastes, Nate Hilgenkamp teaches us what Scripture has to say about our words, work, and worship. KEY TAKEAWAYS -Here are some descriptions of the tongue in Scripture: snake, fire, sword, world of evil, and full of deadly poison. -Are you thoughtful with your words? -The wise are slow with their words. -Your tongue can eat you alive if you aren’t careful and thoughtful with your words. -Your words always matter, and they matter even more when it comes to your family. -You are never “safe” when it comes to speaking words that aren’t wise or gracious. -The wise work hard no matter what while the foolish work based on how they feel. -The wise are steadfast in their work. -Many of our problems with work are because we let our feelings guide our work. -Your laziness steals from yourself, and at times, it might even be stealing from your company. -Don’t work so hard to provide for your family at the expense of your family. -The world is not out of control, but it is out of your control. God is fully in control. -The more you try to control the more you will worry and fear. -The wise are surrendered in worship. -When you have a right view of God you can worship instead of worry. -It will not go well with you when your life is centered around yourself. -Do your words, work, and worship look like that of an adult or a child? -While children are often foolish, they have the one thing necessary to come to Jesus: need. -Don’t try to clean up your mess before you come to God. Come to Him as you are and let Him clean you up. -The only people who get into the Kingdom of God are the ones that know they shouldn’t. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: Ecclesiastes 10:11-14; James 1:19; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Colossians 3:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8; Ecclesiastes 10:15; Ecclesiastes 11:5, 3:11, 8:7, 8:17, 9:12, 10:14; Matthew 19:13-14 -Sermon: Live Like You’re Dying

Live Like You're Dying

November 14, 2021 • Jonathan Pokluda • Ecclesiastes 9, Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:19, Psalm 111:10, Ephesians 2:10

Do you have a bucket list? What do you want to do before you die? It could be anything at all. As we continue studying the book of Ecclesiastes, JP shows us that God has a bucket list prepared for each of us and that we should live like we're dying (and will live forever). KEY TAKEAWAYS -We do not know what tomorrow will bring. -Mortality causes us to be reflective. -Weddings are fun and celebratory, but everyone is distracted. At a funeral, the focus is crystal clear and you have everyone’s attention. -Remember death awaits us all. -In America in 2021, we are bad at death. We’ve outsourced it in a way that is completely foreign to other cultures and all of history. -You do not know how much time you have left. -It is really hard and sad when death strikes. We mourn because we were made to live forever. Death was not present in Eden before the Fall and it’s not in heaven either. -Find joy in living. -God does not want to rip you off. He is a good God, and He loves giving good things. -What do you enjoy doing? Can you do it to the glory of God? (doing something in faith and without sin). Go do more of those things! -Learn to enjoy serving others. -Do you use your words flippantly or thoughtfully? -You can be wise and live prudently, but even then, you don’t know what life has in store. Before Jesus returns, pain and death will come to the wisest people at times. -Live with wisdom. -Live a life not for God’s approval but from God’s approval. -We don’t have to experience all this earth has to offer before we die because we will have forever and ever and ever to experience this earth in its glorified form. -Don’t wait to live like you are dying. Surround yourself with Scripture, share the gospel with every person you meet, and give as generously as you can. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: Ecclesiastes 9; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 3:19; Psalm 111:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19 -Sermon: Submitting to Authority