MENS 252 WEEK 4

The Discipline of a 252 Disciple

Stewarding Finances and Investments

Let’s be honest, when it comes to money, most men feel the weight.

We feel it as providers.

We feel it when bills stack up.

We feel it when we’re trying to get ahead and not fall behind.

Some of us were never taught how to handle money.

Some of us are doing well financially but still feel pressure.

Some of us know we could be doing better but haven’t made the changes yet.

Here’s the truth,

Money doesn’t just reveal your financial habits it reveals your heart, your priorities, and your

discipline.

And God doesn’t just care that you have money, He cares how you manage it.

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Matthew 25:14-30

14  “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.  15  To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.  16  The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.  17  So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.  18  But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19  “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  20  The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22  “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24  “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  25  So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26  “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! 

1. You Are a Steward, Not an Owner

Psalm 24:1

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it”

Everything you have—your income, your business, your opportunities, belongs to God.

That means, You’re not the owner, you’re the manager.

And a good steward asks,

• “God, what do You want me to do with what You’ve given me?”

• Not “How can I use this for myself?”

Luke 16:10

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much”

God is watching how you handle,

• The small money

• The everyday spending

• The decisions nobody else sees

Because stewardship in the small determines responsibility in the big.

2. Discipline with Money Reflects Discipline in Life

Let’s be real again, money problems are rarely just money problems.

They’re,

• Discipline problems

• Priority problems

• Sometimes even identity problems

Proverbs 21:5

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit”

A disciplined man,

• Has a plan

• Lives within his means

• Thinks long-term, not just short-term (instant gratification)

But an undisciplined man,

• Spends emotionally

• Avoids responsibility

• Hopes things “just work out”

Hope is not a financial strategy.

God calls men to be,

• Intentional

• Thoughtful

• Wise with what they’ve been given

3. Money Is a Tool, Not Your Master

Matthew 6:21

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Money will either,

• Be something you control, or

• Something that controls you

Some men chase money thinking,

“If I just make more, everything will be better”

But more money without discipline means more problems

Point: God is not against you having money,

He’s against money having you.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

The love of money pulls men away from God and into destruction.

So, the question isn’t “How much do you have?”

It’s, “Who has your heart?”

4. You’re Called to Build, Not Just Consume

God didn’t call you just to make money, He called you to build something with it.

Genesis 12:2

“I will bless you… and you will be a blessing.”

That means:

• Provide for your family

• Invest for the future

• Give generously

• Help others win

A godly man doesn’t just consume, he multiplies.

2 Corinthians 9:8

“God is able to bless you abundantly, so you can abound in every good work.”

Point: You are blessed on purpose and for a purpose.

Thought Provoking Challenge for the Men

Let me challenge you this week, not with feelings, but with action,

1. Get Clear on Your Reality

Ask yourself,

• Do I actually know where my money is going?

• Am I leading my finances or avoiding them?

If you don’t track it, you don’t control it.

2. Make one hard but necessary adjustment

• Cut something you know is wasteful

• Start saving or investing even small

• Create a simple budget

Discipline starts with one decision.

3. Put God first in your finances

Before anything else,

• Honor God with your giving

• Pray over your finances

• Ask for wisdom, not just increase

Don’t just ask God to bless your money, ask Him to lead how you use it.

4. Think like a Builder, not a Spender

Ask yourself, am I building something or just maintaining a lifestyle?

Closing Charge

Men, this isn’t just about money.

This is about,

• Leadership

• Responsibility

• Legacy

The way you handle your finances today will impact your family, your future, and your faith.

• So don’t drift.

• Don’t ignore it.

• Don’t make excuses.

Step up. Get disciplined. Get aligned.

Because a man of God, manages what he’s been given, multiplies it with wisdom, and uses it for

God’s purpose.