WHEN MONEY SEEMS SCARCE

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MARK 12:40 - 44

[JULY 29, 2018]

Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

Lesson Taken from: Cortni Marrazzo, crosswalk.com contributor

Scheduled Teacher: Preacher Ronald Picar

MEMORY VERSE:

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 

(2 CORINTHIANS 4:18)

INTRODUCTION:

We live in a third world country which means our country is not rich and productive. Money seems to be a common topic in many conversations in the news and business today.  Our economy is hurting and therefore many people are financially hurting as well.

As Christians, we know that God is our source of security, not the economy. Nevertheless, many Christians have found that their finances have also been adversely affected as a byproduct of the negative economy. So how do we trust God in the middle of pay cuts, layoffs, rising bills, and declining home values in our own lives?  How do we keep our faith strong in times of financial trouble? 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)          WATCH YOUR FOCUS (2 CORINTHIANS 4:17-18)

Based from the testimony of one of the contributors of crosswalk.com, she says

“The biggest thing that has helped me in recent times of financial trouble is focusing on the right thing, which is not the circumstances, but rather God and what He’s doing in me.  2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 

I’ve come to realize that our circumstances are temporary, but our faith and trust in God is eternal. I’ve seen income both grow and shrink in my family over the past few years, and I’ve come to realize that I can’t bank on that income -- God is the only thing that really stays constant. 

I’ve also realized that I haven’t really let my faith grow during previous times of financial trouble, as evidenced by the fact that I worry every time the income goes down again. This time, I’ve decided to focus on how our current situation can help me grow closer to God because that is all that really matters.  After all, God knew this would happen and He knows when it will be over.  And even though I don’t know when it will be over, whenever that is, I want to be stronger in faith and closer to God as a result of the situation.”

-      In verse 17 is a good reminder for all Christians that our afflictions won’t stay long. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” Therefore we need to watch our focus; we might focus on our circumstances rather than the ONE who holds our circumstances.

-      (insert your or someone’s testimony if possible)

2)          HAVE A JOYFUL ATTITUDE (PHILIPPIANS 4:4)

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

-      If you are in a difficult situation wherein your family is in a financial crisis, it’s hard for you to be happy still. When you’re in the midst of great financial problem it’s normal to be sad and think for a moment or you pause for silence. But if we let our circumstances put us in a rotten mood, we are no fun to be around. Philippians 4:4 reminds us to be joyful. It doesn’t say when we are in prosper rejoice. It mentioned, “always. It means whatever circumstances we have still be glad in the Lord.

-      In our lesson for today, we have seen that Jesus saw how people cast their money in the treasury (verse 41), He sat against the treasury. When Jesus called his disciples to see what the widow did, it means Jesus knows not just the amount the widow gave but also the heart of the widow in giving. We can say that Jesus watches what we give and how we give in our offerings. He sees our hearts in giving. He sees everything.

(insert your testimony if possible)

3)          BE THANKFUL (PHILIPPIANS 4:6)

-      No matter what we have, it’s so easy to complain about what we don’t have. If we would just stop focusing so much on what we don’t have, we can see the blessings of all that we do have, like family, friends, church, and even the physical things that God has previously blessed us with. Paul reminds us in Philippians that prayer with Thanksgiving is the key to eliminating our worry and anxiety. “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.  And God’s peace which transcends all understanding shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

4)          DON’T STOP GIVING (MARK 12:42, 44;

2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-3)

-      When we aren’t thankful for what we have, oftentimes we’ll stop giving to our church especially when money is tight. In reality, generosity is what opens up our lives for God’s blessings.  A pastor once said that if God can get money through you, he’ll get it to you. As Christians, we are blessed to be a blessing, but if we hoard (nagtatago) all the money we have because we’re afraid that we don’t have enough, then we aren’t a blessing.  

-      Christians think that if they're on a poverty level, we are not required to give for the needs of the church either the people around us don’t expect us to give. Giving is the matter of the heart.  We see in the lesson that the widow gave in spite of her bad circumstances (not rich). And in 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 mentioned that though they were in a great trial of affliction, they are still willing to give.

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

Despite their deep poverty, they had the willingness to give. They didn’t make excuses for their present situation. Therefore we see in this lesson that poverty would not hinder us to give or be a giver.

CONCLUSION:

Having faith that God will supply our needs is extremely important, but God never promised to supply our wants exactly when we want them.  Just because God will provide during a time when money is scarce (salat), doesn’t mean we should spend money the same way we did when money was plentiful. 

Beyond believing for increase, there are practical things we can do as well.  When money is tight in our family, we cut back on eating out and buying extra clothes and electronics that we don’t need.  We get creative and find more inexpensive ways to have fun and enjoy life.  If things get really tight you can cancel cable or other monthly costs that aren’t necessary.  These cutbacks will help the money you do have go further and maybe even give you more quality time to spend with your family. 

God is full of wisdom and He wants to give that wisdom to us (James 1:5), but we need to be sure to listen to God’s wisdom and heed what He says to improve our financial situation. God may provide a new job for you, but most likely He won’t drop it in your lap while you’re watching TV. We need to do the work of looking for jobs, sending out resumes, putting forth effort and on God’s end, He’ll give us favor, but we have to make the first step.