The Good Life

Follow Along with the Message

Life is good.

"God saw all that He made and behold it was good (Hebrew, tob)" (Genesis 1:31).

"You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important" (Aibileen Clack to Mae Mobley, The Help).

Survival Instinct

Life after death is good!  Second note of same song.

What kind of world does God command?

--Private __________________ and Personal ____________________

The right of personal property.

God owns everything.  He allows us ownership (derivative and temporary sense).

Matthew 25--parable of the talents.  Servants are to use resources for the purposes of the Master.

Zaccheus--Luke 19.  It is wrong to steal from people.  Restitution. 

Money matters to God.

"Will a man rob God?  Yet you are robbing Me!  But you say, 'How have we robbed You?'  In tithes and offerings. . .Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. . .test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing until it overflows" (Malachi 3:8-10).

Abraham--Genesis 14, Melchizedek, "He gave him a tenth of all"(v. 20).

--Duty and Dignity of _________________________

     "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need"(Ephesians 4:28).

     "As God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of Spiritual gifts, employ it in serving others" (1 Peter 4:10).

--Beauty of _______________________________

     "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

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Good Samaritan--Luke 10

Widow with two mites--Luke 21

Woman with alabaster jar--Mark 14

     "To whom much is given, much is required" (Luke 14:48).