Till Debt Do Us Part 2

Reason for us. Jesus phone number too many Christians dependence on God's more dependence on guard waggle without when it's so easy to charge.

Why bring about the need when you can just go by what you want today saying goodbye to the scourge of debt from the Moody Church in Chicago. This is when roots are clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line after Luther you among us know the freedom that comes when there is no debt.

I hope you'll help point the way out this black hole for us day and you're absolutely right. It is a black hole and I'm not sure it was a scientific survey but I read somewhere that couples argue more about money than almost anything else, and I trust that this message will point the way to financial responsibility and help couples as they begin to manage what God has given to them because money actually is a spiritual issue want to thank the many of you who continue to support the ministry of running to win, and these messages can be yours, either as CDs or DVDs, and with them comes a study guide for more information go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Now let's open our Bibles and find out what the Bible has to say about the vital topic of money.

There was a time when families looked at situations very differently and you see what we've done is we've undercut God. Let me explain. There was a time when families would say you know we need a new car, the old one is just absolutely broken down.

It's not running anymore, and that we need a better vehicle for family so we don't have any money for very little money can't go out and buy one. So let's pray together and ask God to do a miracle and to give us a better car and they would cry up to the Lord they would pray to God and say, God, you know, our need and somebody in church would see them and say you know I have a car that I think you folks could use.

I'd like to give it to you.

The whole family would rejoice in the fact that God answered prayer.

We don't have that today you walk in you can for 0% interest and probably make the first payment within six months or year I don't know exactly how all that works, but you don't need to pray to God because whatever you want, you can buy on credit. Now there was a time when God led his people, the way in which God leads us is through is through poverty and through money or lack of it.

For example in Deuteronomy chapter 8 God said to the Israelites something very interesting. He said that you know I led you in that wilderness and there was no food bye-bye provided man and I provided clothing so that you might trust me. You see, we don't need that trust today for the credit card. Some of you quite frankly should do some plastic surgery at this point I can lend you some scissors. Those of you who are young people, you know, high school students going into college college debt. I read that about 10 I think of third of college students wish that they hadn't gone to college, because all that they graduated with was a lot of death and oftentimes very poor jobs you know that there are alternatives out there. I talked to Pastor Bob about that and he sent me some very good alternatives to counsel young people, but you see that dad is absolutely overwhelming. I'd like to leave a challenge with you at don't accumulate new debt. Don't accumulate new debt that might not always be possible.

But if that would be up bottom line that from today on. We trust God, wherein a whole were in a pit may be of our own making. But we trust God and see as you cry up to him whether not he shows up and helps you so that you are not overwhelmed by continual debt that is incredibly important.

Number six contentment now are looking at this passage of Scripture and this is what it says now is a verse six now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world, but if we have food and clothing with these we will be content course. Paul doesn't mean only food and clothing. If you live in the state of Illinois, for example, our any other northern states, you're going to need a house you're going to need some heating oil lubricant and need someplace to stay but what Paul is saying is that the basics if we have the basics we should be content.

Our problem is we aren't content we aren't content. As I mentioned earlier, it's okay to better your position and so forth. But at the end of the day we look at ourselves and we think that we have to be like our parents or grandparents or the neighbors or whatever. I was in a home one time where the people were poor. I'm talking about dirt poor. No rugs on the floor just the basics of life and you know there was so much joy in that family. There was so much happiness because they understood having food and raiment therein shall be content. I hope I'm wrong but I believe that the day is going to come to the United States of America when God is going to humble us and bring us down to the level of people in other countries. I'd been in countries of the world were little children come begging, pulling on your pant leg for a handout. Children that are hungry children who probably have nowhere to lay their head at night.

What a heartbreaking circumstance we think to ourselves. Some of us at least that we are owed this and that and the other thing, and without it we cannot be content. Some people think that the apostle Paul. Most assuredly, never lived in the state of Illinois and the reason is because remember the book of Philippians. He says I have learned in whatever state I am therein to be content the other day I just typed into Google Illinois debt and I wanted to see how many billions we are in debt and I discovered that maybe there is no agreement. I won't even give you a number but it is the bond belief get our legislatures totally paralyzed, unable to act, unable to do anything about it as we keep going this direction and someday someday. The experts say the house of cards is going to come down but I've learned in whatever state I am therein to be contents of the apostle Paul. He said I know how to be a humble old. I know how to be amazed. He said I know what it is to suffer want and need. I also know what it is like to be blessed by a good income, at least sometimes. He did during his tent making experience have you and I prayed that God would make us content so that we would live within our income rather than beyond it. Number seven generosity generosity should people give even out of poverty.

I want to put too fine a point on it, but in a sense, it depends on how much you really do love God. The Bible says in second Corinthians. Regarding the Macedonians. It says they gave out of their extreme poverty while no wonder they received a special blessing know the Bible says he who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, the person who sows generously will reap generously.

Now you know that we are opposed to what is known as the name that claimant money, wealth, theology. But the Bible does in second Corinthians connected very clearly. Generosity with God's blessing.

For example, it says that if you are generous, you will reap a harvest of righteousness. That's why think proportionate giving is important even in the midst of poverty to give something to God to remind us that all of it is his and we are giving him the opportunity to test him and to indeed receive a blessing. It's not dollar for dollar is not I get God $10 no give me 100 back no God is generous and blesses those who are generous with that which means most to us means a great deal to us mainly the whole issue of money and so I invite you to be generous.

Don't say to yourself what you were gonna pay all of these bills and then if we happen to have something left over. Know give something to God first and then as he prospers you do is our experience has been in our home where we increase the amount of percentage over and over again as we experience God's blessing. Let us be generous people and you know there are those in our congregation who are struggling today. They don't have a job they can't pay their bills. We do all that we possibly can to help them through the Fellowship fund, but there are also those needs that we hear about that we can contribute to, and do so with a sense of release and joy.

Where does all of this lead us. I'd like to give you some suggestions going forward.

First of all let money unite your family and not divided. Let money unite your family and not divided. That is so very, very critical because you see what happens during the time of financial need, you discover that people begin to use it as a point of attack between the wife and the husband. It's one of those hot button issues. One of the things that you have to do is to talk and if you made a mistake and made a foolish investment is no use trying to put the best face on and say what you know I meant well yeah will mean well you have to do is humble yourself and admit to it and be reconciled at that point and be dead honest in terms of your relationship how critical that is honesty and don't get into bed and assume the fetal position and put the blanket over your head. This is an opportunity today we have opportunities we never had before.

When Rebecca and I were first married, there were in all of these organizations and websites that help people who were in a natural need and who gave them instruction as to what are the plans to get out of debt. 10. How can you restructure and how can you save money.

The websites are filled in the books are filled now with good advice and you can go to financial advisors who are going to help you, but I plead with you, don't get divorced over the money issue come to agreement come to an understanding lay all the cards on the table and seek reconciliation. The other thing that is very important is the commitment of all that you have to God. Now, when I began this message in point number one. It all begins to God. Probably use it to yourself. Yeah, yeah, we've heard all that before but have you ever transferred what you own to God. I was reading a book this week on money. A Christian book in which it had a quick claim page in which you signed off on all that you won't you put that in there all my investments all my property. All this all this. What ever I have my car I sign it to God do that because you see, even in the midst of your need in the midst of mistakes.

God is there to help us. He doesn't abandon us simply because we say what you know you're the one that got into doubt. And so you know you can figure this out on your own. God is available to those who give themselves to him blindly remember the fact that we should be generous because God has been generous.

Let me ask you a question how much you owe God. The truth is we all owe God. Obedience to the 10 Commandments. For example, thou shall not covet.

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife, thou shalt not covet his possessions.

You and I are guilty of coveting that is sin and we owed God righteousness on that part says thou shall not bear false witness, and we can go through all of the 10 Commandments thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, we owe that old to God. We are indebted to him hugely.

But you know what we have to do is to rejoice that Jesus paid our debt is not good news. Harry Ironside was the pastor here for many years.

Back in the 40s tells a story that I showed retail during the days of Nicholas the first, there was a soldier who was promoted because he was the son of Nicholas is friend and this young soldier had the responsibility of divvying up the money divvying up the the money for the soldiers those days you didn't have it on the Internet you couldn't use that electronic banking soul. The soldiers had to be given money, but the young man fell into the sin of gambling and gambled away the money that belong to the soldier and according to the story. He totaled it all up, saw what the total was decided that at midnight he'd commit suicide because he knew he was going to be outed and embarrassed and he totaled it up and wrote under the total. A great dad who can pay well. As the story goes, he fell asleep and Nicholas himself came by the barracks at night recognize the young man is the son of one of his favorite friends and was going to have them arrested. But notice that there was the ledger and Nicholas saw that the young man was sleeping and took out his pen and wrote one word under the caption great dad who can pay and then he turned away and left young man woke up, he saw the ledger and there under those words was one word Nicholas. He checked to see if this was an authentic signature by going to the safe, to see if it matched any recognized it was in the very next day someone came from the palace to bring the money that this young man had squandered great dad who can pay Jesus came to pay you and I can't and when he said to tell a sty paid in full. He met our dad.

He paid for us that we can be redeemed and even as we take the cup and we say this cup is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. This bread represents my body. That was the payment that was made because of our sin. How can we help but being generous people. And if you've never received Christ as Savior and received that gift of payment acknowledge your indebtedness and believe on him right now and will you join as we pray our father, we want to thank you today for your grace that is been given to us in Jesus our Lord. Thank you, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor.

We through his poverty might be made rich. Help us oh Lord God. We pray may we be in a position of great joy and help all father who are struggling with issues of debt to honestly face it and that know that you are there to help them see the way out. In Jesus name, my friend. Isn't it wonderful that God is given us an example in Christ that all debts need to be paid. We can't get to heaven without the payment of Jesus Christ wheel got a debt. Thankfully, he paid it for us. But as I emphasized in this message. There are other debts financial debts and I hope that you've been encouraged. If you been listening carefully, because God wants us to be able to have financial responsibility in a world that is become very materialistic.

Let me ask you something if you been blessed as a result of these messages. Perhaps you want to listen to them again and again share them with your friends and by the way, they also come with a study guide for a gift of any amount you can go to RTW offer.com and request the series fighting for your family. They come either as a DVD set, or as CD set or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 ask for this series of messages fighting for your family in a world in which everything that is been nailed down is being torn apart the midst of families that are in disarray. What we need is the guidance of Scripture and even more than just the guidance of Scripture. The power that God promises to those who seek him. RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 thanks in advance for your generosity because you are holding our hands together we are making a difference.

Time now for another chance for you to ask pastor links her question about the Bible or the Christian life.

Today's question comes to us from a listener named Alex.

He writes I'd like to know how to confess sin biblically and completely, beginning at first John 18 through 10.

There is a command for confessing sin. The Bible seems to give multiple methods of confession such as pray once and leave it there from second Samuel 24 one.

Pray multiple days and go without food from Nehemiah 14 and six, and finally to confess in agreement with the spiritual leader or pastor who prays for forgiveness.

That's in Numbers 21 seven. So which method is correct or are all methods correct is a change in the context of habitual sin and how much detail do I need to go into when talking to God, ministry leaders, and others. Alex, thanks so much for your question and I think that you have maybe needed a little bit more complicated than it is when we confess our sins, you're right, it means that we agree completely with God.

And when you asked the question how much detail should I go in with God. The answer is whatever the Holy Spirit shows us, you know that's been my experience is that sometimes I may confess the sin and discover that it's much deeper than I think it is because the spirit points out something that I need to confess and agree with God about that when you talk about praying once and leaving it there or fasting that all is a consequence of the Christian life. I believe that we should fasting during that period of time.

I'm sure that God shows us other sins that need to be confessed, but there is a difference between the confession of sin and prayer, and the giving of ourselves to the Lord our committal to the Lord all of that is part of the package, but the actual confession is us coming before God admitting our sin agreeing that we have sinned and agreeing that he has a right to take it from us because we are in total agreement with God.

That's the bottom line. Now there may be times when you need to confess the sin with others, and so forth. Depending on the relationship. Depending on the situation. But confession itself, though painful hard for us to admit that we've sent, though painful, is that quite simple. It's simply agreeing with God about our sin. Thank you Alex for your question. Thank you Dr. Luther for your counsel if you'd like to hear your question answered. You can just go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask pastor Luther or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us run into when 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago 60614 marriage channels are natural desires to produce children in the Bible says children are a heritage of the Lord and the Fruit of the Loom overlord. Next time I'm running to win the most important thing Christian parents can do for their precious kid, don't miss children.

God's special gift. This is Dave Minogue, Mr. running to win is sponsored by the Moody Church