TOP FIVE

“Putting God First in My Resources and Career”
Pastor Ben Johnson – May 28, 2023

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. — Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

What we do FIRST MATTERS but Jesus FIRST matters MOST.

What do we want? MORE.

I have all the time, power and resources, to do all God wants me to do, and to enjoy all he has for me.

_____________ (Where we live)

_____________ (Who we are)

_____________ (How we live)

Why do so many of us choose to live in chaos? We want to be ACCEPTED and LOVED.

Declaring War on Chaos

We must…

1. Say “yes” to modeling God’s WAY.
   
   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. — Colossians 3:23-25 (NIV)
   

2. Say “yes” to a complete LIFE.
   
   Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 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. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. — 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)
   

3. Say “yes” to receiving God’s BEST.
   
   The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. — Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
   
   I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. — Philippians 4:17 (NLT)

A Jesus FIRST life moves us from being OWNERS to STEWARDS.

One Last Thought

To live this way is to be radical, to be radical is to be countercultural, to be countercultural is to be like Jesus, to be like Jesus is to experience TRUE LIFE.