Money, Money, Money

What distracts and trips us up?

• Does money distract from our faith and adventure with God?
• 1 Timothy 6 v 3-10
• The problem in Ephesus with money is linked to the Nicolations and their teachings for doing the teaching and church leading purely for financial gain.
• What teaches on what is unhealthy in our lives and the principle that he applies to money here is applicable to anything that distracts us from God. Some things we are distracted by are just sins but others can be good but can also cause us to sin.
• Hebrews 13 v 5 - "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”"
• God wants us to live in freedom and not get distracted by things and then they be become a cage around us and stop us being free. God wants us to live free full lives for Him.
• We need to be content with God has given us, in our gifting’s, material possessions, family and so on.
• God has provided all these great things. But we get distracted by tarted up things.
• Ryanair are cheap flights and you don't expect much - not much room, no food, and no film. The service is good and you can be content with the service because you know what you are getting. But when you look at a Lamborghini it is all flash on the outside and looks cool, costs a lot but on the inside it may have a good engine but nothing works (heaters, radio...) and the car is plastic on the inside, with hard seats. But it has cost a lot.
• This is like God you know what God has given you. But sin distracts us like the Lamborghini but when we get in the sin it is horrible and worthless but it has cost us greatly.
• Philippians 4 v 11 - "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
• Sometimes the circumstances we are in aren't great, but God still provides for us and cares for us. Sometimes people turn to other things when times get hard.
• What distracts you? What can you do with the help of God to stay focused?
• Job 1 v 21 - “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
• Job realised that all he had on earth was just material and couldn't take it with him when he dies.
• Job had everything and then he had one thing - God.
• Our God is the only steadfast permanent thing in our lives and the world.
• What are you storing up on earth?
• Mark 10 v 17-22 - “17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  ¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your father and mother.’” ²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” ²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."
• Do we cling to our stuff in this world? Do we let what we have hold us back because of fear of losing it all?
• We can get stuck in the cage because the distractions stop us from living free full lives.
• Are you like the rich young man and recognise who God is but not obey Him?
• Focus on God and ignore the distractions because they may look nice but what’s inside is not.
• How much does money matter to you?
• Let’s run the race and only stop for a drink at stops where God provides a drink.