Snapshot Series: "Money"

Snapshot35 Mark 12:13-17 & 41-44

Money is something we all realize is necessary for survival but can also be a huge issue for many of us.  because it takes a place of great importance. We work for money, we spend money, we feel that money helps our problems, we get upset when we don;t have the money, when we have the money we want more money.

Jesus talks about money actually more then he talks about heaven not because it is more important but it is because we have tendencies at act like it is more important.

Today we are going to look at Three issues in dealing with money from Mark 12:13-17 & 41-44

Vrs 13-15

Trying to corner Jesus

“Taxes” was a Latin loanword meaning “census.” It referred to the annual poll tax (head tax) demanded by the Roman emperor from all Jews since A.D. 6, when Judea became a Roman province.  The money went directly into the emperor’s treasury. This tax was unpopular because it typified the Jews’ subjugation to Rome (cf. Acts 5:37). BKC

They were concerned about the political implications of their question. Obviously the question was designed to place Jesus in a religious and political dilemma. A yes answer would antagonize the people and discredit Him as God’s Spokesman. No messianic claimant could sanction willing submission to pagan rulers. A no answer would invite retaliation from Rome.  BKC

A good Jewish person would not participate in pagan Rome but by carrying the coin, Jesus’ opponents show that they already participate in the Roman social order. ESV Study Notes

Vrs 16-17a

Jesus knew they were trying to trap him so He pulled a Jesus on them and did the unexpected.  Said because the coin had Caesar and his inscription on it...give it to him.

Issue 1 Integrity

Integrity issue, the quality of being honest

The were testing Jesus and Jesus has integrity, Jesus wants us to have integrity especially when it comes to money.

Integrity test:

1.  Are you honest with your money? Tax time, with your employer or employees, in business?

2.  Do you pray about what you spend money on? God I really care about what you want for my life and finances

3   Are you practicing good stewardship?  That means you are responsible with what you have, make good decisions, try not to waste, talk to others that have more experience then you when making financial decisions. Faithful with little. 

4.  Do you have a healthy view of the importance of money?  It is important but it is not the ultimate

Some people act as though money will end their problems but they don't realize they are actually the problem.  A few months ago when the mega-millions was at some crazy high a women said "if I won the jackpot my daughter would take a limo to daycare" does anyway else find a problem with that statement??? 

The next thing we see Jesus bring up is who owns the money?

There is some truth in was the auditor for the IRS said..

“The trick is to stop thinking of it as ‘your’ money.”

Vrs 17b Give to God what is God's which brings us to issue 2

Issue 2 Theology-the study of the nature of God.  

So what actually is God's

Theology test:

1.  Who made you?

2.  Who keeps you alive?

3.  Who gave you everything you have?

4.  Who can take everything away?

5.  Who do we owe everything to?

6.  Who owns everything?

Now that you have good theology Orthodoxy (right belief) we have to have orthopraxy (right practice)

Issue 3 Generosity

Vrs 41-44

Proportionally she had given the most—all she had to live on. In giving to God sacrificially she completely entrusted herself to Him to provide her needs.

Jesus used her example to teach His disciples the value God places on wholehearted commitment. Their own commitment to Jesus would soon be severely tested (cf. 14:27-31). This incident also illustrates Jesus’ total self-giving in death.  GOSPEL

Generosity test:

1.  Do you give to the Lord's work?

2   Do you understand NT giving?

The NT does not mandate a specific percentage, some suggest it is 10 percent because tithe means 10th but the NT the OT tithe is actually teaches the tithe was 23 & 1/3 percent.  In Malachi 3 it directs the people to bring their tithe to the storehouse because then they distributed t the widow and the orphan and took care of the needs of the people.

The NT teaches giving by grace, that means the more God gives you the more you give.  That may mean for some of you giving 10% is not tough at all and you need to consider more and for others 10% is an enormous sacrifice which leads to the next question. 

3.  Do you feel like it is a true sacrifice? (we could use this money for something else)  The Lord sacrificed for us, we should sacrifice for Him. 

2 Cor 9:7 give us our next two questions  

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

4.  Is your giving planned?  out of the first fruits, Pro 3:9-10 you plan giving first. Husband and wife should be praying about this  

5.  Are you a cheerful giver? I hope this message inspires a cheerful heart to give to the amazing things that Lord is doing. 

When we use our money with integrity, realize it is from the Lord and are generous with it He is pleased.