September 11 2016 Prospering With Integrity

Prospering With Integrity

Memory Verse: Exodus 20: 15 "You shall not steal."

I. HOW DO WE STEAL?

1 By deceiving customers

Amos 6:5 (GN) "(They) overcharge, use false measures, and fix the scales to cheat the customers."

2. By defrauding employers

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."

3. By delaying payments

Leviticus 19:13 (GN) "Don't take advantage of anyone... Don't hold back the wages of someone you've hired, not even for one night."

4. By defrauding on loans

Psalm 37:21 (GN) "The wicked man borrows and never pays back..."

5. By deceiving the government

Romans 13:6-7 (GN) "...the authorities are working for God ... Pay what you owe them; pay your personal and property taxes..."

6. By defrauding the Lord

Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! but you ask, `How do we rob You, God? By withholding tithes and offerings!"

II. WHY BE HONEST?

1. I am being watched by God

Job 34:21-22 (LB) "God careful watches the goings on of all mankind; he sees them all. No darkness is thick enough to hide evil men from his eyes."

Proverbs 20:7 (LB) "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."

2. I will reap whatever I sow

Galatians 6:7 (LB) "Don't be misled, remember a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!"

Proverbs 15:27 (GN) "Try to make a profit dishonestly and you'll get your family in trouble."

Proverbs 21:6 (LB) "Dishonest gain will never last, so why take the risk?"

3. Dishonesty damages my character

Proverbs 10:2 (GN) "Wealth you get by dishonesty will do you no good, but honesty can save your life."

Proverbs 19:1 (GN) "It is better to be poor but honest, than to be a lying fool!"

4. God will reward my honesty.

Proverbs 28:20 (GN) "Honest people will lead a full, happy life but if you are in a hurry to get rich you are going to be punished."

Matthew 25:21 (JN) "Well done...you've shown you can be faithful in small things. I will trust you with greater ones; come and join in your Master's happiness!"

III. FIRST STEPS TO INTEGRITY

1. Make restitution when possible.

Luke 19:8 (GN) (Zacchaeus) "If I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much."

2. Give God my full tithe

Malachi 3:8,9-10 "Is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not...Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple ... and I will pour out on you in abundance..."

3. Make a living honestly

Ephesians 4:28 (Ph) "The man who used to be a thief must give up stealing, and do an honest day's work with his own hands..."

February 17 2013 Keeping Your Peace Of Mind While Getting Ahead

KEEPING YOUR PEACE OF MIND WHILE GETTING AHEAD
Exodus 20:15 - You shall not steal.
Proverbs. 10:2 - Ill gotten gain brings no lasting happiness, but right living does.

I. Wrong ways to get ahead:

1. Dishonesty.
Proverbs 16:11 - The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
Proverbs 20:14 - It’s no good: It’s no good, says the buyer, then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

2. Defrauding people.
Leviticus 19:13 - Don’t hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
Colossians 3:22 - Obey your human masters, not only when they are watching you because you want their favor, but do it with a sincere heart in reverence for the Lord.

3. Getting ahead by default.
Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding.
Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrow and do not repay.

4. Depending on luck.
Proverbs 28:20 & 22 - The man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail. Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 - He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will end in poverty.

5. Dishonoring others.
Proverbs 10:18 - Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

II. The right way to get ahead:

1. Hard work.
Proverbs 14:23 - Hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

2. Saving and investing.
Proverbs 21:5 - The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends all he can get.
Proverbs 13:11 - Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers little by little makes it grow.

3. Praying.
Matthew 7:11 - If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him.

4. Giving.
Proverbs 11:24-25 - Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others and you will be helped.

III. Peace of mind while getting ahead:

• Be honest with people.
Proverbs 15:27 & 19:1

• Be honest with the government.
Romans 13:7, Matthew 22:21

• Be honest with God.
MalachI 3:8-10

Septermber 9 2012 How To Be Wise With Your Wealth

HOW TO BE WISE WITH YOUR WEALTH
James 5:1-6

God is not opposed to wealth. Many of the greatest believers in the Bible were wealthy. But God is opposed to the misuse and abuse of wealth. James deals with “The Four Key Aspects of Wealth.”

I. The wrong uses of wealth -- avoid these!!!!

Issue # 1: The Accumulation of Wealth

Don’t hoard it.

Vs. 3 - You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Results: (Vss 2-3)

Your wealth has rotted.

Moths have eaten your clothes.

Your gold and silver are corroded.

Whatever I accumulate will deteriorate.

Issue #2: The Appropriation of Wealth

Don’t steal it.

Vs. 4 - The wages you have failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you.


Issue #3: The Allocation of Wealth
Don’t waste your money.

Vs. 5 - You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.

Issue #4: The Application of Wealth.

Don’t abuse it.

Vs. 6 - You have condemned and ruined innocent men, and they are powerless to stop you.

II. The Right Uses of Wealth

1. Right Accumulation: Save money faithfully.

Proverbs 21-20 - The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.

Keys to Saving:

• Learn to live on a margin.

• Learn contentment.

Valid reasons for saving:

1. Prevent impulse buying.

2. Allows us to help others.

3. It gets your money working for you.

2. Right Appropriation: Make money honestly.

Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth from gambling quickly disappears, wealth from hard work grows.

Proverbs 14-23 - Hard work brings a profit, mere talk leads to poverty.

How much money can I make? No set limit.

Qualification: As long as it doesn’t hurt:

Your health, My family, Other people, My spiritual life

3. Right Allocation: Spend money wisely.

Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

The Key: A budget of planned spending.

4. Right Application: Give money generously.

Proverbs 11:24-25 - It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the generous man shall be rich. By watering others, he waters himself.

Matthew 6:20 - Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

1 Corinthians 16:2 - On every Sunday, put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for the offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you to earn.