Wesley’s Sermon: “The Use of Money”

Summary: Wesley uses this sermon to outline the proper use of earning, possessions and wealth with a very articulate statement: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” He uses this as an opportunity to insist that we are not owners of our assets, but stewards.

Introduction:

1. There will be an accounting of our management of resources.
   
   
   
2. Money can be bad, but it can also be good. It can become the eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
   
   
   
3. It is one of our highest concerns to know how to use this valuable gift.

GAIN ALL YOU CAN

1. Without paying more than its worth; or at the expense of life or health
   
   
   
2. Without harming our minds
   
   
   
   
   1. Lying, cheating, practices that are not in good consciences.
   
   
   
   
3. We must never harm others.
   
   
   
4. Not gain more by harming our neighbor’s bodies.
   
   
   
5. There are unscrupulous medicine “professionals” and it is clear that they are doing to others what they do not want done in return.
   
   
   
6. These ways of gaining money comes at a high price.
   
   
   
7. Cautions and restrictions
   
   
   
   
   1. Gain all you can by honest industry and diligence
   
   
   
   
   2. Make the most of your time
   
   
   
   
   3. Work with all your might.
   
   
   
   
   4. Do your work as well as possible and in a timely manner.
   
   
   
   
8. Use common sense.

SAVE ALL YOU CAN

1. Don’t throw your precious gains into the sea
   
   
   
2. Don’t waste it on desires of the flesh.
   
   
   
3. Don’t waste on desires of the eye such as fine clothing, houses, paintings, decorations gardens.
   
   
   
4. Don’t spend to gain the admiration or praise of others.
   
   
   
5. When we cater to these desires, they only increase.
   
   
   
6. Don’t buy your kids everything and the best of everything.
   
   
   
7. Don’t leave the kids money to squander. Don’t set traps.
   
   
   
8. Leave your money to the child that knows the value of money.

GIVE ALL YOU CAN

1. Don’t stop with gaining and saving all you can. You must give all you can.
   
   
2. The sole ownership of everything rest with God.
   
   
   
3. Provide for your basic needs; provide for your family; give the rest to the needy.
   
   
   
4. How should you spend upon yourself?
   
   
   
   
   1. Am I acting according to my character?
   
   
   
   
   2. Am I giving this money in obedience to God’s word?
   
   
   
   
   3. Can I offer up this action as a sacrifice to God?
   
   
   
   
   4. Do I believe that I will receive a reward for this work at the resurrection?
   
   
   
   
5. If your conscience says that this pleases God then you have no doubt that it is right and good.
   
   
   
6. In your living and dying, waste nothing on sin or foolishness for yourself or your children.
   
   
   
7. We cannot be wise or faithful stewards without managing the Lord’s goods in this way.Lead a life worthy of the dignity of your calling.
   

Lead a life worthy of the dignity of your calling.

by revjohnhill

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Content Producer
UMCGiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org