Series: The Price is Right Week 3 (If I Had A Million Dollars) 11.20.05

We are in the last week of our series The Price is Right where we have been discussing money and possessions. Two weeks ago I asked you all to look at the stuff you own and last week Chris asked you all to reflect on the things we invest in with our money. This week I ask you, “What would you all do with a million dollars?” Think about it, would you buy video games, would you buy CDs, would you buy your own house? What would you do with all that money? Can anyone guess what it says in the bible?

Share your Wealth, Share your Gifts
-Luke 3:11 – “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food must do likewise.”

-John the Baptist is telling us that we need to share with those that don’t have. Think about a time where a friend or family member shared something with you. You probably felt special because someone showed you an act of love. Think about a time when you shared something of yours with a friend, family member or even a stranger. At first you probably felt anxious but then after seeing how the person was grateful for your gift you probably felt as if you received something in return. St. Francis Assisi said, “For it is in giving that we receive.”, because when we give or share we in return feel God’s love for doing his work.

Faith without Works Is Dead
-James 2:14-17 – “If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

– We go to church, religious education and even bible study. We may read about our faith and study scripture from time to time. But all of what we learn is useless if we do not put it into action. If you study a language from elementary school all the way through college and you never use it, then you have just wasted what some consider a gift. Faith should be viewed in the same way. Money has no value if it just sits there and that’s why God asks us to put it to use, but it is important to put it to use it to fulfill God’s will.

Give Your Whole Self to God
– Mark 12:43-44 – “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”

– It is important to give as much of yourself to God as possible. And that includes giving back his money. As made in the first point when you share and give you also receive. When we tithe we are not giving money so that the pastor and his staff have higher salaries, we are doing it to support the faith. We give money to the church so that many people may receive from your gifts. When we give to God we receive love and support. When we let go of the things we own and give them to God, we will truly be blessed.