#2 - Money Ain’t Your Daddy (click on title to play)
John Thomas. A Disciple’s Attitude toward Giving series, no. 2. Sermon preached at Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta, Ga., September 15, 2002.
In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus tells us not to worry about acquiring the basic necessities of life because “your Father knows that you need them.” Thomas’ sermon contends that when we worry about such material things or money, we try to make money into our father. We find ourselves anxious about money and the things of this world because we have replaced our true Father—God—with our concern for ourselves, which is symbolized by money. Christ calls us to recognize God’s fatherly love for us and to stop selfishly finding our security and worth in money. When we understand God as our Father, then we stop worrying about money and start giving it.

 

#3 - Financial Decisions with Eternal Consequences (click on title to play)
Francis Chan. Sermon preached at Cornerstone Community Church, Simi Valley, Calif., April 4, 2004.
In this sermon on Luke 16:1-15 (the parable of the shrewd manager), Francis Chan addresses the relation between present financial decisions and eternal consequences. Many pastors, he admits, avoid this passage because of its interpretive difficulties. But Chan insists that its message is imperative for Christians who would use their money wisely.

 

#4 - Stop Stressing About Money, Part 1 (click on title to play)
Francis Chan. Sermon preached at Cornerstone Community Church, Simi Valley, Calif., September 9, 2003.
In this sermon on Luke 12:13-21, Francis Chan confronts the “respectable sin” of greed, arguing from the parable of the rich fool that we must take drastic measures against this sin, just as we would against other, less socially acceptable sins. Contentment, Chan says, is the Christian answer to the insatiable desire for wealth. Life, after all, is about knowing God, not about amassing stuff.

#5 - Making the Most of Your ATM: Part 3
Michael J. Easley. Sermon preached at Immanuel Bible Church, Springfield, Va., September 21, 2003.
Pastor Easley says, “How we use our money is the most tangible extension of who we are.” Many of us are jittery when the topic of money comes up, because our finances utterly expose us and how we live. We would feel naked if our checkbooks were revealed before a group because what we buy and possess reflects the core of our being. Easley gives seven cautions from the gospels and Pauline epistles about our use of money. He then lays out six guidelines about giving. His message is that contentment and peace of mind are “far greater than wealth.” He urges us to put our love for God into action by giving first, regularly, systematically, proportionately and cheerfully. Generous giving will never be wasted, and God will not fail to honor those who deferred earthly gratification. This sermon is available in manuscript.
 

#6 - Generosity
Daryl Heald. Interview on Money Matters daily radio broadcast, December 9, 2002.
The ultimate purpose of Christian stewardship is not budgeting checkbooks or getting of out of debt. Rather, it is to free God’s people from financial bondage and to free the funds necessary to fulfill the Great Commission. Citing biblical examples of giving and statistics of worldwide Church growth, Heald encourages pastors to share Christ’s message of generosity with their congregations—not only during annual stewardship campaigns but also throughout the year. Americans have been given record wealth, yet we rarely ask, “Why has God given us more than we need?”

 

#7 - The Ministry of Giving
George O. Wood. Sermon preached at Newport-Mesa Christian Center, Costa Mesa, CA. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, the Apostle Paul describes to the church of Corinth how they should give. George O. Wood, general secretary of the Assemblies of God, looks at this passage to describe the ministry of giving. According to this sermon, (1) our true motive for giving should always be the grace of God; (2) the example of others is a legitimate inspiration for our giving; (3) our concern for excellence should include our giving; (4) giving is patterned after the example of Christ, who gave out of love; (5) we should give what we can even if it is not all we desire to give; (6) there should be equal sacrifice throughout the body of Christ; (7) we need assurance that the offerings we give will be properly accounted for and administered; (8) our enthusiasm in giving is catching; (9) those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully; and (10) our giving should result in praise being given to God.


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