One day, your money could run out.
Groceries are burdensome, paying rent is a monthly game, vacation seems like an impossible dream, and just the idea of a major medical expense is enough to keep you up at night.
Do you see how quickly fear sets in when it comes to money? It doesn’t even matter how much you have, because it’s not about the money. It’s about the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).
We fear losing what we love most. If you desire to acquire much and keep a lot, you’ve lost your heart to the captivating allure of money (Matthew 6:21). The enemy wants your heart, and he uses money to steal it.
You may even give regularly to others or to a good cause. But are you doing it carefully, with caution, always keeping enough for yourself to hoard for another day?
We must empty our storehouse. Not because all Christians should be generous, but because we take seriously the conquering nature of money. It’s a throne that cannot reign long if you proclaim Christ (Matthew 6:24).
So, how do we dethrone money from our hearts? How do we give like the Philippians gave to Paul (Philippians 4:14–20)?
How tightly do you hold your possessions? Do you see money as treasures you’ve earned to keep or as gifts you’re given to steward and share?
The enemy wants you to believe there’s always something better you can spend your money on, usually centered around yourself and what you think you deserve. But the truth of the gospel is that God spent everything on us to give us salvation in Jesus (Romans 8:32).
Spend your money on things for the glory of God—there’s nothing better to spend it on. Money, and all it offers, will remain with this life only, but what you build in the name of Christ will last for eternity.
Paul says there’s a kindness when you share another’s trouble (Philippians 4:14). True generosity costs you, because you’re choosing to fight against something that comes very naturally: the desire to gain, hoard, and self-protect.
It’s easy to give from a distance. Why volunteer your time and energy to get to know some of your homeless neighbors when you can just donate online to a nonprofit? Why prepare a homemade meal and deliver it to a grieving family when you can just send a digital gift card?
You mimic Christ's humility when you sacrifice your comforts to share another's burden. Online donations and gift cards are generous, but sacrificial giving comes when you give of yourself, not just your riches.
Money will get you a lot of things in this life (groceries, housing, vacations). But it never gets you what you were truly made for: eternal communion with God. In Christ, you have that life secured, and in giving, you prepare your heart for that life.
The biggest lie about money today is that you lose something when you give, but you actually gain something far greater. When you empty your earthly storehouse for Jesus’ sake, you build up heavenly treasures where moth and rust can’t touch (Matthew 6:20).
What would it look like to believe that everything you store here is worthless—little worldly trinkets that fade with time? And will you choose to see every dollar given and every hour spent as paid credit to the greatest treasure you’ll receive in heaven—glory-filled communion with God?
Even if God didn’t promise a greater treasure in heaven or to provide for your needs, would giving still be worth it?
While He promises both things, you have a unique opportunity to worship God on this side of heaven when you give without expectation of return. Giving freely, without condition, is an act of worship. It flows from the gospel taking root in your heart.
When you believe that the greatest treasure has already been lavishly poured out on you in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, only then can you freely empty yourself of what God has given you for His kingdom.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our sermon series guide on the book of Philippians, or watch the most recent sermon from our Philippians sermon series.
