Talks

Matt continued the series on Healthy Living and Healthy Giving, exploring the connection between our hearts, money and possessions. Jesus speaks so much about money because He’s knows it’s connected to our Heart. What we treasure reveals what we value. Wealth often promises happiness, security and satisfaction that it cannot ultimately deliver – which is why Jesus warns His disciples to “Watch out!”
Matt highlighted two dangers (or ditches) that we can fall into: Greed, always wanting more, and Fear, worrying that we won’t have enough. Neither leads to the freedom Jesus wants for us. The antidote to greed is Contentment — being grateful for what we have and, importantly, being content with what we don’t have.
Matt encouraged three practical ways to live more contentedly: Hold possessions lightly, Live more simply, and Build in financial margin where possible. Rather than constantly asking, “How can I get more?”, we can ask, “How can I live with less?” Creating some space in our finances can also give us greater freedom to be generous and respond when others are in need.  Matt pointed out that we all have different circumstances, and we have to consider everything in the light of what we have.
Matt asked a number of searching questions at the end of the message – which we could use to examine our attitude and also our heart towards money, wealth and possessions.