what_money_cant_buy

							What Money Can't Buy – Michael Mazzalongo

Intro-This morning I'd like to talk about another aspect of the money issue, aside from
the subject of giving.

          In Psalm 49 David gives good financial advice to those who are envying the
           wealth of their brethren.

   *In this passage he reminds them of the things that money cannot do or buy, and
   this is what I want us to focus on this morning.

  I.       What Money Can't Buy - Ps.49:1-20

(Read vs. 1-4)

          In vs. 1-4 David calls on everyone to listen to his teaching that it will be
           beneficial to both rich and poor, that each will have something to learn.
          Then he goes ahead to list the limits of money.

1. Money Cannot Buy Your Soul - (read vs. 5-9)

          Money can do a lot of things but it has no power in the spiritual realm.
          Wealth is no advantage in going to heaven.
          David gives the reason for this---there is not enough money to equal the value
           of a human soul.

           - Souls cannot be exchanged for money, good work, prayer, piety etc.

          A soul is made in the image of God and so it needs something of equal and like
           value to purchase it or to exchange for it.

   * This is why Jesus offered His perfect life for our souls His perfect Godly soul
   exchanged for our souls. (Soul for Soul, Spirit for Spirit).

       2. Money Doesn't Buy Time - vs. 10-14

          Money buys a “good time” but it doesn't buy time --- and there is a difference.
   David says that wealthy people think that their wealth can somehow extend
    their time:

    - They think they will live on through their possessions.

    - They build monuments to themselves thinking that their presence through
these in the eyes of future generations will somehow equal some type of existence
for themselves.

- They think they can buy time through technology. (I.E. Walt Disney –
Cryogenics)

   He didn't realize that you die once then comes the Judgment – Heb.9:27
   David says that the wealthy die and remain dead and separate from the loving
    like everyone else.

*To think money buys time is foolish and to believe so only reveals another thing
that money doesn't buy and that is wisdom.

3.Money Doesn't Buy Power Over Death - vs. 16-20

   Not only is money useless in trying to purchase more time, it is useless to you
    when, or after you die.

- There may be a difference in the quality of life between the rich and the poor-- but
there is no difference in the quality of their death.

- At death all are stripped of their wealth.

   Regardless of what they say about you when you die, it won't matter to you
    anymore.

- When I do a funeral, after it's over everyone goes to eat or about their business --
except the deceased, they are beyond caring anymore.
         And so David calls out to those who are tempted or discouraged by the wealth
          of others in comparison to their own poverty and he reminds them that wealth
          has some pretty restrictive limits.

* Money is good and has power but not enough to do the things that are truly
important to all men --- these things are attainable by all, rich and poor --- but not by
wealth.

II.       What Money Can Buy

         So we don't get wrong idea, I'd like to mention some of the things that money
          can buy, and with a good conscience.

 - Paul says that it's the love of money that is the root of all evil – 1Tim.6:10

 - Money all by itself is neutral and can be used for good things.

 1. Money Can Buy Comfort, Freedom, Opportunity.

         It's no secret that one of the basic uses of money is to provide opportunities for
          education, self-expression, travel and freedom from the worry over paying the
          bills.
         This is usually the level that most of us are striving for in our careers and
          handling of money.

  This is a good and natural use of money so long as we know when enough is
  enough and not get caught in the sin of greed where we never have enough and we
  spend our lives always building bigger and bigger barns or saving just a little more
  just in case. Just another dollar.

      2. Money Can Be Used To Better The World

         Many people who have avoided the trap of greed have discovered that a
          wonderful way to us e money is to make improvements in the world.
      Some wealthy people realize there's so much you can eat and drink; so many
       places to go; just so much pleasure that comes from making money --- begin to
       use their wealth to make this world a better place to live in.

 IE.

 - Ted Turner (Turner Broadcasting, CNN etc. Millionaire) hard nosed business
 man, yet, loses money every year on Goodwill Games (handicapped athletes) but
 gains great satisfaction from this good work.

- Bill Gates (Microsoft Chairman) says he plans to give away most of his fortune.

      There are many examples great and small of people who give their time,
       money and skills to help, building, watching, supporting different causes that
       will leave this world a better place than when they entered it.

      They've learned a use of wealth that brings great satisfaction and that has
       nothing to do with profit, money or advantage.

 3. Money Can Be Used To Buy Treasure In Heaven

      This may sound like the use I've just mentioned but it's not.
      Jesus taught that a man is lost if, “..(he) lays up treasure for himself, and is not
       rich toward God”. (Lk.12:21)

       - Gaining wealth for oneself is alright but it has no effect on our soul.

       - Using wealth for other is good in that it purchases for us the satisfaction that
naturally comes from doing well. The satisfaction is the full reward.

      In Mt.19:21 Jesus says to the rich young ruler, “If you wish to be complete, go
       and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in
       heaven; and come, follow me.”
    You see the use of money for others without reference to Christ gains no
     advantage for the soul.

     - Giving his money to the poor made him complete. In other words it
     demonstrated that he understood the best and most mature use or wealth.

     - This action coupled with faith in Christ however, opened for him the benefits
     of a heavenly reward.

    In another passage Jesus says that if even a cup of water is given in His name,
     the giver will not lose he reward – Mk.9:41

     - The point here is that what transforms our giving into spiritual treasure is it's
     relation to Christ.

    We can give away a treasure for a good cause but unless we give it in the name
     of Jesus it will not create for us treasure in heaven.

SUMMARY / INVITATION

    We spend most of our waking hours trying to make money, using money or
     worrying about money.

    Our lesson today reminds us of a few things about money.

 1. There are important things money can't do

 - It can't lengthen one's life by a second

 - It can't make one's life more valuable.

 - It can't preserve one's life form death.

 *These are the traps and lies that people who seek wealth are drawn to and
 eventually ruined by.

 2. What you do with your money is a reflection of what you do with your life.
   You can't use fake religion or church attendance as a cover for greed,
    selfishness, or poor stewardship of your money.

   At judgment God will look more closely at your checkbook than your
    attendance card.

3. The Cross of Christ buys us what we really need.

   Money can't buy time, a soul or reprieve from death (all things we desperately
    need) but the blood of Christ does!

   The sacrifice of Jesus buys for me

    - forgiveness for my sins

    - freedom from the second death

    - eternal life with God.

*The beauty of all this is that it is available to everyone regardless of their wealth
because it is received by faith expressed in repentance and baptism.

   Let's remember then to buy the right things with our money and use it the way
    God intends.
   And regardless of how much or little money we do have, let's also realize that
    God's offer of the things money can't buy are available to everyone here today
    who are ready to receive them through faith.