Just Do It

Working It Out
Welcome to part 3 of “WORK IT OUT” a 3-part sermon series on Finances. In this sermon Ps Joe wraps up the series with a final challenge – “Just Do It”! You can watch his sermon here or read the key points below.

JUST DO IT
You can go to the gym, set yourself up with a program, but eventually, you either work it out and do it, or you don’t. Our heart is to strengthen your hands because when you win, the Kingdom wins. We need to live lives ready to Arise and Build, abounding in every good work.

Matthew 27:57-61 (ESV) tells the story of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Jesus:

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.”

Joseph was willing to part with something valuable for the sake of his Master. As Christians, we don’t seek wealth for purely personal gain; instead, we make ourselves available for God’s plans and purposes.

The Seed and the Sower
Consider the principle of sowing and reaping. The seed is planted, lies dormant, germinates, sprouts, grows, and finally yields a harvest. This process reflects how we should live: in rhythms and routines of righteousness. Daily decisions and disciplines should be Spirit-led, but some things are straightforward: go to work, give in the offering, be kind to your spouse. These principles are clear and actionable.

Wisdom in Action
Information and revelation become wisdom when acted upon. Wisdom is more precious than silver or gold. Imagine understanding the mechanics of lifting weights in a gym. It only yields results when you actually do it. Some of you may need to get started today, and some may need to add new exercises to your routine.

Financial Wisdom and Freedom
Living a life that honours God doesn’t equate wealth with holiness. Both the wealthy and the impoverished can be close to God or far from Him. God uses the resources of His people to build His Kingdom. Here are some common barriers that hinder us having our resources available to be used by God. Our resources are sometimes required to build the Kingdom. Here are common barriers to living this way:

Debt
Proverbs 22:1-9 (ESV) provides wisdom on debt:

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

Debt binds our hands and becomes a barrier to prospering. We need wisdom around what is good and bad debt. For example, spontaneous wants shouldn’t surpass eternal goals. Borrowing to give, if drowning in debt, is unwise.

Perspective and Attitude
Giving does not determine our salvation; God desires us to give freely and cheerfully as an act of worship. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (ESV) reminds us:

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

God loves a cheerful giver who regularly and deliberately sows into God’s purposes. Integrity and intentionality matter.

Over the past three weeks, we have laid out blueprints—a workout plan—for you to consider and apply. Revelation becomes fruitful when you work it out. Being imitators of Christ includes giving to the Lord and others because God gave His life for us. Let’s live lives that honor Him, participate as co-heirs, and build the Kingdom together.

Join Us
Dive deeper into financial wisdom with our curated reading list and upcoming finance courses. Together, let’s strengthen our core and unlock the full potential of our financial blessings.

Missed Part 1 and 2 of our “Work It Out” series, click here.