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Iowa City Church Podcast


Welcome to the Iowa City Church sermon and teaching page.  We know that life can be confusing, and sometime just plain hard.  We believe the best way to live life comes through following Jesus.  These lessons and sermons are designed to be a resource to help you on that journey.  We hope you find them helpful!

Jun 20, 2022

A popular comedian once said, “If money talks, all it ever says to me is good-bye!”  Can you relate?  With an uncertain economy looming and rising prices on just about every commodity, it probably feels like we hardly get a chance to know our paychecks before they pack their bags!

If your money could talk what would it say?  What would it say about your life?  Your values?  Your faith?

Have you ever heard of The Ring Lady?  When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, one rich young woman did not flee like most residents. She stayed behind collecting as much jewelry as she could carry rather than escape by boat. Her rings went on her fingers, she didn’t have time to pick up a bag but rushed into the street clutching her pearls and rubies, gold brooches and earrings.

Poisonous fumes overcame her, she fell and died and remained under the ashes until in 1981 archaeologists found “The Ring Lady” preserved with her hands still laden with the jewels that cost her everything to hold onto.

Whether you realize it or not, what you are holding on to tells a story about what is valuable in your life, it tells a story of your faith.

As James begins to wrap up his letter, he addresses a serious issue for the Christians he is writing to: How they are using their money is revealing their lack of faith in God.  He writes these scathing words:

"You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves.  You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter."  James 5:5

The way they were using their money revealed how little faith they had in God.  Instead, they were using their money in a way that demonstrated that their trust wasn't in God, but themselves.  James points out the foolishness of this choice because judgement was quickly approaching, and everything would be gone. Sobering thoughts, yes?

Instead of quickly dismissing this teaching because you aren't rich, maybe take a moment and consider what your money management is saying about your faith in God.  If your money could talk, what would it say?
  
If you want to learn a practical plan for how to grow your faith with your money, make sure and check out part nine of All Day, Every Day...we know you will find it to be very helpful!