Series: Living Free
Sermon Title: Free from Materialism
Passage: Luke 12:13-21 NIV
Reno Campus
Pastor Tom Chism
Carson Campus
Pastor Dusty Braun
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Reno Campus
Carson Campus
Series: Living Free
Sermon Title: Free from Materialism
Passage: Luke 12:13-21 NIV
SERMON POINTS:
Living Free…
Free from Materialism
“I ain’t never saw a hearse with a luggage rack” George Strait
- Recognize the Deception of Materialism
Luke 12:-13-15 NIV
“Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship - Reject the Security of Materialism
Luke 12:16-20 NIV
Luke 12:16-20 ESV
“To be empty of all created things is to be full of God. To be full of created things is to be empty of God” Meister Eckhart - Redirect Your Heart to Eternal Riches
Luke 12:21 NIV
1 Timothy 6:6-10 NIV
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
“Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work. I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours” C.S. Lewis - Rest in the riches of God’s Provision
Luke 12:20-21 NIV
- Exercise gratitude that leads to worship
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Stay humble
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” Dallas Willard - Invest in the Kingdom
Matthew 6:19-21 - Practice contentment
1 Timothy 6:6
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” (v.15) How does materialism subtly deceive us into thinking we need more to be secure or fulfilled?
- What are modern forms of this deception in our culture, and how do they compare to biblical warnings?
Additional Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-11; Matthew 6:24 - The rich man in the parable built bigger barns but lost his life that night. Where do we see the illusion of security in possessions in our own lives?
- How does the biblical view of security in God contrast with the world’s view?
Additional Scripture: Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 11:28 - Meister Eckhart (1260 – 1328) said, “To be full of created things is to be empty of God.” What are practical ways to evaluate whether we are too full of created things?
- What disciplines or practices can help reorient our dependence on God instead of wealth?
Additional Scripture: Matthew 19:21; Philippians 4:11-12 - Jesus calls us to be “rich toward God.” What does that mean practically in our daily lives?
- What is one step you can take this week to shift your focus from material wealth to eternal riches?
Additional Scripture: Colossians 3:1-3; James 2:5 - C.S. Lewis describes God’s call as an all-or-nothing surrender. How does holding onto wealth (or even the desire for wealth) prevent full surrender to God?
- Are there areas of your heart that you feel resistant to surrendering fully to God? Why?
Additional Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - How does gratitude actively combat materialism?
- What practices can help us grow in gratitude for what we already have?
Additional Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5; Colossians 3:17 - Why do you think humility and materialism are often at odds?
- What would it look like for humility to shape your financial decisions?
Additional Scripture: Proverbs 22:4; James 4:6 - How does generosity free us from the grip of materialism?
- Who in your life or community could you invest in this week, financially or otherwise?
Additional Scripture: Luke 14:12-14; 1 John 3:17 - Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” How can we cultivate contentment in a culture that constantly tells us we need more?
- How does contentment impact your peace and relationship with God?
Philippians 4:12-13; Hebrews 13:5 - What’s one practical change you can make this week to realign your habits, lifestyle or values with God’s Kingdom?
Additional Scripture: Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 8:9
PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Let’s try something new. Take one of these questions a day for the next week. Focus on it and apply it to your life that day. Transformation happens one step at a time.
1. What do I believe money, possessions, or status will give me that God cannot?
- Meditate on: Matthew 6:31-33 — “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- Daily Reflection: Materialism often stems from a deeper longing—security, significance, control, or approval. Take a moment and be honest with yourself, what unspoken desires drive your attachment to things?
- Action Step: Write a short prayer surrendering your need for material security and asking God to deepen your trust in Him.
2. How has my sense of identity been shaped by what I own, rather than by who I am in Christ?
- Meditate on: Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
- Daily Reflection: Consider whether you feel more valuable when you have more, and less valuable when you have less. How does that conflict with the truth of who God says you are and the value he declares you have through the giving of Jesus for you?
- Action Step: Make a gratitude list—not of what you own, but of who you are in Christ.
3. In what ways do my financial choices reflect my trust (or lack of trust) in God’s provision?
- Meditate on: Philippians 4:19 — “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Daily Reflection: Do your spending and saving habits reflect faith or fear? Are you hoarding, overspending, or grasping for security outside of God?
- Action Step: Commit to one act of generosity this week—giving freely, without fear of lack.
4. What am I afraid of losing, and how is that fear keeping me from deeper trust in God?
- Meditate on: Mark 8:36 — “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
- Daily Reflection: Sometimes, fear of loss keeps us bound to material things. What would it look like to trust God enough to let go?
- Action Step: Do a “heart check” by fasting from a non-essential (shopping, entertainment, etc.) for a day to reset your dependence on God.
5. How does my relationship with money impact my relationships with people?
- Meditate on: 1 Timothy 6:17-18 — “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
- Daily Reflection: Does material things or finances ever create barriers in your relationships—pride, comparison, insecurity, or control?
- Action Step: Invest relationally. Spend intentional time with someone this week. Invest in presence. All people desire to be known and seen. Quality time with a friend will move your heart towards people.
6. What small daily habits can help me loosen my grip on material things and deepen my attachment to Christ?
- Meditate on: Colossians 3:1-2 — “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
- Daily Reflection: Spiritual transformation happens through small, consistent choices. What practices can shift your focus from possessions to presence with God?
- Action Step: Start a habit of daily silence before God, asking Him to re-center your heart on eternal riches. Spend 1-2 minutes in Silence focusing on God alone. Build from there to 5 minutes twice a day.
7. If I truly lived free from materialism, how would my life look different?
- Meditate on: Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
- Daily Reflection: Picture your life with no attachment to material wealth—where your security, joy, and purpose are rooted entirely in God. What needs to change?
- Action Step: Take one small step toward that vision today—declutter, give, or make a decision that prioritizes Kingdom investment over personal gain.
SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:
RESOURCES:
- PODCAST | JOHN MARK COMER | SIMPLICITY: SIMPLICITY OF STUFF E4
- BOOK | YOU ARE WHAT YOU LOVE| JAMES K.A. SMITH
- INTERVIEW | JOHN PIPER | DESIRING GOD | HOW CAN I BE FREE FROM MATERIALISM
Spiritual Discipline Practice: Rule of Life – Wk 3
The goal of a Rule of Life is to help you identify, implement, and enjoy rhythms that lead you into a countercultural lifestyle—one that embraces the peace and presence of God. This isn’t about rigid structure, but a firm guide to orient your mornings and evenings around a focused practice. It’s about reorienting your heart to God—to His grace, love, and mercy—so that no matter how chaotic life gets, you remain rooted in Jesus.
One of the most powerful ways to build this connection with God is by embracing our deep need for prayer. Prayer is not about performance—it’s a rich, ongoing conversation with the One who knows you fully and loves you sacrificially.
Let’s build a Rule of Life that helps us engage in prayer and experience God’s love every day:
1. Begin and End Your Day in Stillness
- Before even getting out of bed in the morning, pause for a moment of stillness and acknowledge God’s presence.
- Pray something simple: “Lord, You are here. Walk with me today.”
- At night, before closing your eyes, reflect on God’s faithfulness. Offer gratitude for where you saw Him move.
2. Morning Breath Prayer (3 Minutes)
- While drinking your morning coffee or eating breakfast, take three minutes for a breath prayer:
- Inhale: “Jesus, You are here.”
- Exhale: “I am with You.”
- Let this practice ground you in the reality of God’s nearness before the day begins.
3. Conversational Prayer Throughout the Day
- Talk to God as you would a close friend. As you go about your day, share what’s on your heart:
- Your worries and anxieties.
- The things you’re looking forward to.
- The places you need His wisdom.
- Keep it real, keep it honest. Ask Him: “Lord, show Yourself to me today.”
4. Set Aside 5-10 Minutes for Listening Prayer
- Jesus often said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15). We want to know the Father’s voice.
- Each day, take 5-10 minutes of silent listening prayer—simply be with God, without an agenda.
- This isn’t about getting answers, but about learning to recognize His presence in the quiet.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
As we journey through our days in life we often time pick up subtle philosophies tha tform and shape our lives. Here is an example—… if we just had a little more, then we’d finally feel at peace. More money, more security, more stuff, more experiences. It is like it becomes our second nature, operating at a subconscious level. We scroll through social media, see what others have, and that quiet voice whispers, “Maybe if I had that, I’d feel more settled.”
But Jesus tells a different story.
In Luke 12, a man comes to Jesus asking Him to settle a financial dispute. It’s not an unreasonable request—he just wants what’s fair. But Jesus doesn’t step in. Instead, He offers a warning: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
That’s a hard truth to sit with because, if we’re honest, we don’t always live like we believe it. We chase after comfort and security, thinking that if we can just get ahead, we’ll finally be able to relax. But no matter how much we accumulate, it never quite fills the space we’re hoping it will we still function with a emptiness in the deep of our lives.
And maybe that’s because materialism isn’t really about what we have—it’s about what we trust. We tell ourselves that if we store up enough, we’ll feel safe. If we have the right things, we’ll be happy. But the weight of that thinking is exhausting because things fade, circumstances change, and nothing in this world was ever meant to hold that kind of pressure.
Jesus invites us into something better. Not because money or possessions are bad, but because they were never meant to be where we anchor our security. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). He doesn’t just ask us to let go of the things we cling to—He invites us to take hold of something deeper, something lasting.
And the truth is, at the end of the day, all the things we chase after will fade. But what we invest in the Kingdom—our love, our generosity, our relationships—those things carry weight beyond this life.
There’s freedom in knowing we don’t have to keep running after more. Freedom in trusting that God will provide. Freedom in knowing that we are already seen, already valued, already enough—not because of what we own, but because of who we belong to.
He’s inviting us to take hold of something infinitely better. God himself.
Rob Hans | Spiritual Formation and Connection Pastor