Making Change, Part 4—Tomorrow Matters, by Justin Renton
May 17, 2022
Sermon summary:
Justin Renton — Tomorrow Matters
Proverbs 6:6–8 God calls us to learn from the ant. The ant knows tomorrow matters.
Proverbs 21:20 The wise store up, the fools gulp theirs down.
The parable of the talents/money. Matthew 25: 19–21
When God gives you resources he expects you to use it wisely.
- Don't invest in things you don't understand. Proverbs 24:3–4 Wisdom, knowledge and understanding is important in investments. Do research, ask questions.
- Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Ecclesiastes 11:2 Diversify your investments. There's no one good thing.
- Don't try get rich quick. 1 Timothy 6:9 When greed enters your life it can destroy your soul. Consider using the 10:10:80 principle—Give to God, Save, and Live on the rest. Don't live beyond your means.
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich schemes disappear quickly. Wealth from hard work grows over time.
Watch the service in full (the sermon starts at 41 mins) here.
The Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction in our missionary work. Are we doing the work the Spirit has set aside for each one of us to do? He knows the time, place and person to reach out to. Are we listening and obeying when he nudges us? The Holy Spirit forms Christ in all of us and it's a lifetime journey. Seek to be filled. Listen to his voice. Step out boldly.
Giving is an act of trust. It is also not an obligation but an act of worship. Give from the heart, not as a duty, but as a way to express gratitude. Giving is about unity in the church, it is motivated by grace, not guilt, and a spiritual act of joyful worship. Jesus demonstrated sacrificial giving through his actions, leaving us an example to follow.
To embrace Jesus's mission, I must first clothe myself with Jesus and have his character formed in me. He must become greater, I must become less. Then I"ll be able to do as Jesus did.
God's grace is with me. We need each other. Grace is a gift.