That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:8–11 NLT
People try to find joy by:
•
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT
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Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4–5 NLT
What does the Bible say about money?
1) Money is
Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. Luke 12:15 NLT
I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on. Mark 12:43–44 NLT
As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Matthew 27:57–58 NLT
2) Money can be a
Money poses as the universal key that unlocks all the
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9 NLT
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT
3) Money is a
No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24 NLT
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 NLT
How should I handle money God’s way?
1) Recognize everything I have (belongs to God)
For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10 NLT
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. James 1:17 GW
2) Be
And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NLT
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT
3) Be
Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 1 Timothy 6:18 NLT
The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Psalm 37:21 NLT
4) Support my
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Acts 2:44–45 NLT
5) Cultivate
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT
The life of the godly is full of light and joy. Proverbs 13:9 NLT
Memory Verse
Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. Luke 12:15 NLT
Next Steps
I will invest and invite others to join me for a Christmas Eve service.
I will serve as needed for one Christmas Eve service.