MP3

The MP3 recording of the meeting can be downloaded HERE

The Rich List

Sunday Times Rich List 2007

MP3 Sermon - Treasure-vs-Money

Warning - this is challenging stuff - typical Tim Keller at his New York Presbyterian finest!

Stewardship Research into Christian Giving

Average UK Citizen gives 1.4% of household income to charity, the average 'evangelical' Christian gives 12% - NINE times more!

‘Money is the root of all evil’ – discuss

Key verse – ‘the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil’ 1 Timothy, 6:7-10 NIV

Keith gave scriptural example of the evils associated with greed, e.g:

• Achan’s sin (Joshua 7)
• Ananais and Sapphira (Acts 5)
• Rich fool (Bigger barns) (Luke 12 v13-21)

Further open discussion of open questions:

• How much is enough?
• How much should I give away?
• How do I choose where to give my money?

Keith inserted further scriptural teaching into the discussion at various points, including

• Lay up your treasure in heaven (Matt 6 v 19-24)
• The parable of the dishonest steward (Luke 16 v 1-12)
• Tithing (Malachi 3 v 10)
• Of thine own do we give thee (liturgy)
• Principle that we are stewards only

Other themes:

Level of living / lifestyle

Prosperity gospel

Building Project

Wealth is a positive barrier to faith – money is not Amoral it is Immoral.

Tithing – how much is enough?

Responsibility to church family vs human family.

Proverbs

• Honour the Lord with your wealth - then your barns will overflow. 3:9
• The wages of the righteous bring life - the income of the wicked brings punishment. 10:16
• A generous man will prosper 11:25
• Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. 11:28
• Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
• Better a meal of vegetables with love than the fatted calf with hatred. 15: 16-17
• Honest scales and balances are of the Lord. 16:11
• "It's no good " says the buyer. Then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. 20:14
• The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 21:5
• He who oppresses the poor to increase wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty.22:16