A Spiritual Budget Deficit

_________________, 2012_________________, 2012

A Spiritual Budget Deficit

• You do not have to look very far to find a story about the struggling economy.• Our current economic

conditions are due not only to global factors, but they are also due to a lack of fiscal planning and poor financial management.

A Spiritual Budget Deficit

• The national debt level is just one indicator of our fiscal health (or lack of it).• As of Saturday, May 19, our national debt was at $15,730,990,000,000$15,730,990,000,000..

A Spiritual Budget Deficit

• In January of this year, our national In January of this year, our national debt stood at $debt stood at $14,271,000,000,00014,271,000,000,000..

• U.S. tax revenue during the same U.S. tax revenue during the same period was $2,170,000,000,000.period was $2,170,000,000,000.

• Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000• New debt: $1,650,000,000,000New debt: $1,650,000,000,000• Budget cut passed: $38,500,000,000Budget cut passed: $38,500,000,000

A Spiritual Budget Deficit

• If we were to bring this down to a If we were to bring this down to a family level…family level…

• Annual family income: $21,700Annual family income: $21,700• Money the family spent: $38,200Money the family spent: $38,200• New debt on the credit card: $16,500New debt on the credit card: $16,500• Outstanding balance on the credit Outstanding balance on the credit

card: $142,710card: $142,710• Total budget cuts that our politicians Total budget cuts that our politicians

are so proud of: $385are so proud of: $385

A Spiritual Budget Deficit

• Unfortunately, our lack of financial responsibility is symptomatic of our lack of spiritual discipline.• Spiritually, we have

overspent, have not made wise “investments”, have not planned soundly, and have “kicked the can” down the road!

Spiritual Overspending

• Spiritual overspending is Spiritual overspending is taking what our Father has taking what our Father has given us and wasting it with a given us and wasting it with a lack of concern for spiritual lack of concern for spiritual things.things.

• The wasteful son: Luke 15The wasteful son: Luke 15

Luke 15:11-13“Then He said: ‘A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.’”

Luke 15:14-16

“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.”

Spiritual Overspending

• Spiritual overspending is Spiritual overspending is taking what our Father has taking what our Father has given us and wasting it with a given us and wasting it with a lack of concern for spiritual lack of concern for spiritual things.things.

• The wasteful son: Luke 15The wasteful son: Luke 15• This has led to a spiritual debt This has led to a spiritual debt

level that is unconscionable!level that is unconscionable!

Unwise Investments

• We have misplaced our spiritual We have misplaced our spiritual focus and put that energy into focus and put that energy into worldly endeavors.worldly endeavors.

• How do we know? Spiritual How do we know? Spiritual budget cuts are evident budget cuts are evident everywhere!everywhere!

• Our debt clock of sin is spinning Our debt clock of sin is spinning out of control!out of control!

• Matthew 18:23-24Matthew 18:23-24

Matthew 18:23-24

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.”• This servant would have had to work for This servant would have had to work for 200,000 years to pay back his master!200,000 years to pay back his master!

Unwise Investments

• We have misplaced our spiritual We have misplaced our spiritual focus and put that energy into focus and put that energy into worldly endeavors.worldly endeavors.

• How do we know? Spiritual How do we know? Spiritual budget cuts are evident budget cuts are evident everywhere!everywhere!

• Our debt clock of sin is spinning Our debt clock of sin is spinning out of control!out of control!

• Matthew 25:24-27Matthew 25:24-27

Matthew 25:24-25“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.”

Matthew 25:26-27“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.”

Unsound Planning

• Instead of using God’s plans for Instead of using God’s plans for our lives and the church, we our lives and the church, we have failed to plan and therefore have failed to plan and therefore have planned to fail!have planned to fail!

• Most smaller congregations are Most smaller congregations are having not only problems with having not only problems with attendance, but also with attendance, but also with developing leaders in the church.developing leaders in the church.

Unsound Planning

• If we do not plan for our If we do not plan for our spiritual futures, we are going spiritual futures, we are going to wind up like so many during to wind up like so many during this current financial crisis: this current financial crisis: underwater and homeless!underwater and homeless!

• It starts on a personal basis…It starts on a personal basis…• Matthew 25:8-13Matthew 25:8-13

Matthew 25:8-10

“And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”

Matthew 25:11-13

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’13 ‘Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.’”

“Kicking The Can Down The Road”

• Part of our spiritual budget deficit Part of our spiritual budget deficit has come from not dealing with has come from not dealing with our shortcomings immediately.our shortcomings immediately.

• If we do not address current If we do not address current issues now, they will develop into issues now, they will develop into larger problems down the road.larger problems down the road.

• Acts 20:28-31Acts 20:28-31

Acts 20:28-29

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Acts 20:30-31

“Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

Were They Successful?

Revelation 2:2-3 – “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

How Do We Overcome Spiritual Deficits?

• Put God first! (Matthew 6:33)• Get involved in the work of the Lord’s

church (Acts 5:42)• Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians

5:17)• Study the Word daily (Acts 17:11)• Deny ourselves, taking up the cross daily

(Luke 9:23)• Encourage each other (Hebrews 3:13,

10:24)• Seek to give God the praise and glory

(Hebrews 13:15)