How can prioritizing God over money impact our spiritual growth and decisions? The Foundational Truth of Matthew 6:24 • “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money” • Jesus frames the issue as a loyalty conflict, not a budgeting suggestion • When God is first, everything else finds proper order; when money is first, everything unravels What Happens Inside Us When God Comes First • Single-minded devotion replaces double-minded anxiety • The heart grows tender toward eternal values rather than temporary gains (1 John 2:17) • Love for God crowds out covetousness, aligning motives with His purposes Freedom from Anxiety • Matthew 6:25-34 roots contentment in God’s care; verse 33 urges, “Seek first the kingdom of God…all these things will be added” • Trusting the Father loosens money’s grip and calms fears about tomorrow • A God-first budget sees giving and saving as worship, not survival tactics Clear Moral Direction • 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…” • Prioritizing God exposes hidden compromises before they germinate into sin • Hebrews 13:5 adds, “Keep your lives free from the love of money…I will never leave you” Generous Living • Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth…your barns will be filled” • Luke 16:11 links faithfulness with worldly wealth to receiving “true riches” • Giving becomes a joyful partnership in God’s work, enlarging faith and impact Decision-Making with Eternal Focus When God is foremost: – Career moves consider kingdom influence, not only salary – Spending choices weigh eternal fruit over instant pleasure – Investments align with biblical ethics and stewardship principles Assurance of Provision • 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound to you…abound in every good work” • The Father funds what He favors; obedience unlocks resources timed to genuine need Practical Steps to Keep God Above Money • Begin each paycheck with intentional giving as firstfruits • Track spending prayerfully to reveal hidden loyalties • Memorize key verses; rehearse them when tempted by greed • Celebrate testimonies of God’s faithful provision to reinforce trust Fruit of a God-First Life • Deeper intimacy with the Lord, uncluttered by competing idols • Wise, peace-filled choices that honor Christ • A lasting legacy that outlives earthly accounts and points others to Him |
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