Overflowing Joy

Money is not a silly or superfluous thing. Money was designed to be our dignity. It answers to something God put down deep in us: that we all need to have part of the world to care for, and without any part of the world to care for, we have no dignity. But what has happened in most of our lives is instead of being our dignity, money has become our definition. 

Money is power. It can act destructively or constructively in your life. How can you be sure it’s acting constructively? You know the answer: it’s in the Bible many places. It’s not how much money you have or how little money you have, it all depends on your heart attitude. You have to be freed from money as your definition so that it can become your dignity and you can release its power where it will do the most good.

There are three principles that need to be worked down into your heart, and we see them in what Paul says in 2 Corinthians: 1) God owns everything you have, so you have to act like a trustee, 2) Jesus gave everything for you, so you’re freed for radical generosity, and 3) you can take it with you if you invest it in eternal things.

This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on January 7, 1990. Series: Ten Commandments 1989. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.

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