“REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR BILLS”
1. One of the Bible stories I really enjoy is found in Matt. 22.
2. According to Matthew, some people came to see Jesus.
3. This group of people consisted of some Pharisees and Herodians.
4. Under normal circumstances, these two groups hated each other.
5. On this occasion, though, the bad feelings were put aside.
6. Both groups had a mutual goal: trap Jesus Christ.
7. Matthew 22 shows us how the Pharisees and Herodians prepared their trap:
8. They complimented Jesus, again and again.
9. Read along with me or listen to Matt. 22:15-16.
10. Verse 16 is filled with compliments. Notice the first one.
11. Teacher was a term that expressed respect (conveyed prestige).
12. After using this title the scheming people said, we know.
13. They didn’t say, “we think; we believe; or you claim to be.”
14. The Pharisees and Herodians affirmed that:
15. Jesus was true (i.e. he was not some kind of con man).
16. They said Jesus also taught the way of God in truth, not devil.
17. These words were wonderful compliments.
18. Jesus “didn’t care” for anyone.
19. That is, Jesus just taught.
20. If someone didn’t agree with him, that didn’t change his teaching.
21. The Lord did not let people unduly influence Him.
22. After the compliments were extended, Jesus Christ asked for an opinion:
23. Read v. 17
24. Remember v. 15 – these people came to “ensnare” the Lord.
25. Though their compliments = right, their purpose for coming = evil
26. Jesus knew this, V. 18B.
SINCE THE LORD KNEW WHAT THESE PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO DO, HE TURNED THE TABLES.
1) This story tells us that Jesus asked for some “tribute money”.
2) The proper money was brought, and the money had a picture on it.
3) Caesar’s picture was on the money given to the Lord.
4) When the money was presented, Jesus asked whose picture was on it.
5) The response to this question is found in v. 21a. READ
6) Upon hearing this the Lord said, v. 21b. READ
7) There is an important lesson in this story.
8) Christians are to pay their bills.
9) If the bill is a tax bill, as here, it needs to be paid.
10) If the bill is from a hospital, a loan, credit card, or some other source,
11) It needs to be paid.
12) You might think that this is a common sense thing.
13) You might think that a sermon on bill paying is unnecessary.
14) I wish that this kind of lesson didn’t need to be preached.
15) One reason for preaching about this is that it is found in the Bible.
16) A second reason is that not every Christian pays their bills.
17) Some of the worst offenders have been preachers.
18) Numerous congregations have had preachers leave.
19) And 2 weeks, 30-60 days after the preacher’s departure, people from area businesses call the church building.
20) I was very aware of a case in Knoxville, TN seven years ago.
21) A middle aged man, a preacher, bought a new car.
22) He had some financial difficulties; left for another state.
23) This man didn’t contact the place that sold him the car.
24) This man didn’t make the following month’s car payment
25) Other payments were missed. You know what?
26) The car company started bothering church members.
27) Many preachers have been guilty of not paying their bills.
28) So have Christians who are not preachers.
29) Teresa and I have been part of seven different congregations.
30) In the congregations where we spent any time at all,
31) And knew to some degree several of the members,
32) There was always at least 1 person who didn’t pay bills.
THE PROBLEM OF NOT PAYING BILLS IS THROUGHOUT THE BRETHERHOOD AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. BRETHREN NEED TO KNOW THAT AVOIDING DEBTS IS SINFUL.
1) It is wrong to run from bills and creditors.
2) We have a clear command to pay what we owe in Matthew 22.
3) This passage is not the only one which deals with paying our debts.
4) In the book of Romans, Paul dealt with paying debts.
5) The apostle happened to write about the same subject – government and taxes.
6) Verse 7 of Romans 13 says, QUOTE/READ
7) In the following verse (Romans 13:8), we have, QUOTE/READ.
8) Verse 8 literally reads, “Do not keep on owing anyone anything.”
9) This passage reinforces the idea of keeping current with our obligations.
10) Some well-meaning brethren have misinterpreted Paul’s statement.
11) Some of concluded that credit is sinful.
12) This conclusion has been reached in this way:
13) “I am not to owe anyone.”
14) If I borrow on credit (get a loan), I owe someone.
15) Therefore, borrowing (or owing money) is wrong.
16) This conclusion completely misses Paul’s point.
17) Paul’s point is that we have a continuing obligation to love others.
18) Paul makes this point by saying, OWE NOTHING BUT.
19) Concluding that credit is forbidden by v. 8 reads something into the text.
20) Common sense also suggests that this explanation is wrong.
21) If Romans 13:8 is saying that credit is sinful, the consequence
22) Would be that few of us would have an automobile or house.
23) Houses and cars are usually purchased over time.
24) As 2, 4, 6, 15 or 30 years pass, people “owe money” in debt.
25) Very few congregations would have a church building.
26) To have a building, most must “owe money”.
27) There is no problem with owing money.
28) The problem is owing money and not paying the bill.
29) Let’s look at some more scriptures which talk about paying bills.
30) A good OT verse comes from 2 Kings 4
31) This chapter tells us about a widow.
32) This woman had a real problem.
33) She owed money to a creditor (KJV & ASV)
34) This woman couldn’t pay.
35) So, the creditor is going to come and take this woman’s 2 sons.
36) Today people can have a similar situation arise.
37) A collection agency (loan co.) might be after them.
38) In some cases people try to beat their debt.
39) I have known of cases where people:
a) Fled to another state
b) Got an unlisted phone number
c) Didn’t open much mail
d) Bought an answering machine to screen calls.
40) The widow woman of 2 Kings 4 didn’t try to run from her creditor.
41) She knew that she a debt, knew she needed to pay it, and faced it.
42) This is the right course for Christians.
43) If we have a legal debt, we are not to try to escape from it.
44) We need to face it. We, through some means, pay for it.
45) In the case of this widow, she didn’t have the money.
46) She needed help. She got help. READ vss 2-4,6.
47) The oil this woman received provided her with money.
48) This money was used to pay her debt, v.7.
49) As this woman med her obligations, so must each Christian.
50) If we don’t, the words of Ps. 37:21 apply. READ
51) How does God view the believer who owes but doesn’t repay it?
52) The person was wicked.
53) It doesn’t matter how many prayers a dead beat debtor utters.
54) Coming to services will not make things better.
55) A person who doesn’t pay their bills disgusts God.
56) This message is found many times in the Bible.
57) Another place where it occurs is Jer. 22:13 READ
58) A “woe” is pronounced upon those who don’t pay for what they get.
59) This is slightly different from what I have been describing.
60) I have been talking about not repaying a debt.
61) Here the thought is not paying for work that is done.
62) This thought is different, but similar.
63) The connection between both is: money is owed and not paid.
64) In both cases, scripture says: PAY THE BILL.
65) This is a hard message to get across to some.
66) This message is one that God wants His people to obey.
67) In the last book of the OT – Malachi – we have this statement:
68) Mal. 3:5.
69) The KJV has the word “oppress” with a footnote – “defraud.”
70) When people didn’t pay what they should, God promised judgment.
71) The NT has this same warning.
72) James 5:4
73) People worked but didn’t receive a fair wage.
74) God was sensitive to this fraudulent behavior.
75) These people were going to be punished for their actions.
CONCLUSION:
1. The last thing the Christians should try to do is dodge a bill.
2. Too often, this is the first thing that is tried.
3. Scripture requires us to be honest.
4. Honesty is tied in with paying our bills.
5. If someone cannot pay, there are things that can be done.
6. Church members may be able to offer some relief.
7. Most companies will work with people who are in trouble.
8. Companies would rather have a debtor come in and work out a payment plan than hire a collection agency and face possible court costs.
9. If you are in the habit of paying your bills on time, great.
10. If this is not your style, you need to change.
11. Bills need to be paid, and payment needs to be made on time.