God's Plan, Not Mine / Freedom Through Finances

Weekend Service for June 8Scripture Readings: Psalm 24:1 | Matthew 6:24Today begins a journey into “Freedom Through Finances,” not as a dry lecture on money, but as an invitation to examine the deeper motivations that shape our relationship with what God has entrusted to us. Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is saturated with wisdom about resources—not just how to get them, but how to use, preserve, and share them as part of our calling as God’s people. While the world often reduces money to a source of stress or a measure of success, Jesus calls those who would be His disciples to a radically different perspective: one rooted in the heart, in identity, and in stewardship.The teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6 are not random advice for the masses, but focused instruction for those serious about living as citizens of God’s kingdom. He warns against treasuring treasures on earth, not because possessions are evil, but because our hearts inevitably follow what we value most. The real question is not “What do I do with my money?” but “Who am I, really?”—because our financial decisions flow from our deepest sense of self.Motivation, then, is not a matter of hearing the right sermon or adopting a clever principle. Real change happens as we move through five layers: ideas, viewpoints, values, habits, and, at the deepest level, identity. Ideas are fleeting; viewpoints are choices; values are priorities that sometimes conflict; habits are the ruts we live in, often unconsciously; but identity is the bedrock—how we define ourselves. If we see ourselves as owners, we will always be anxious and grasping. If we embrace our true identity as stewards, everything changes.The call is not simply to adopt better financial habits, but to allow God to reshape our very identity. We are not owners, but stewards of all we have—our homes, our money, our opportunities. This shift is not easy, but it is the only path to true financial freedom and peace. As we move through this series, the challenge is to let God’s truth penetrate to the deepest level, so that our financial lives reflect the reality that God owns it all, and we are accountable to Him for how we manage His gifts.[00:00] Welcome[01:00] Why Talk About Money?[03:30] The Bible’s Emphasis on Money[05:19] The Limits of Sermons and Real Change[07:38] Money as a Universal Stressor[10:10] The Audience of the Sermon on the Mount[11:37] Jesus’ Teaching: Treasures and the Heart[15:40] You Cannot Serve Two Masters[17:26] The Nature of Motivation[20:28] Five Layers of Motivation[23:06] Conflicting Values and Financial Choices[25:11] The Power of Habits[26:33] Identity: Who Are You?[30:10] From Ideas to Real Change[34:05] Credit, Debt, and Living Within Means[36:55] The Parable of the Lost Coin[37:15] Building Habits and Realistic Budgets[39:20] Stewardship: It’s Not Your Stuff[41:01] The Parable of the Shrewd Manager[44:27] Prayer and Closing