Harvest is about TREASURES

Text:      Luke 19:1-16

Thesis:   Jesus addresses the money issue.

.....................................................................................................

I.  Money is an issue of the mind. 

“Be transformed by the renewing of the mind.”  Romans 12:2 

“Come now, let us reason together,” Isaiah 1:18

A.     Jesus commands the disciples not to “take a purse” (vs. 4) and declares “the worker deserves his wage” (vs.7)

1.       Jesus spoke about money more than he spoke about prayer.

“Truly money is one of the most powerful, yet dangerous forces in all the world.  Perhaps this is why Jesus had more to say about possessions than any other single subject.  Someone figured that there are 1,565 references to giving in the Bible, while only 523 references to praying.  At least 20 out of the 30 major parables of Jesus relate to a man’s attitude toward property.  It has been estimated that 1 verse out of every 7 in the four Gospels deal with money and things money can buy.”  J.O. Arkinson

2.       God through His Word seeks to educate His disciples on His method of funding His ministries.

Principles to Financial Freedom

• God owns all things ~ see Psalms 95:2-5; 50:10-11and Haggai 2:8

• God commands us to tithe ~ see Malachi 3:6

II.  Money is an issue of the heart.

A.     there are times when our frustration in giving to the Lord is not due to the lack of Biblical knowledge but an attitude of the heart.

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19

III.  Money is a ministry issue.

A. Jesus knew the disciples needed money.

B. God is a wise businessman.