You Were Created to Be Productive

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Financial Fitness

You Were Created to Be Productive By Rick Warren — Feb 17, 2015 “Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18a NIV) The Bible says in Deuteronomy 8:18, “Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (NIV). Every economy, including America, has wealth makers and wealth takers. They have wealth producers and wealth users, wealth contributors and wealth consumers. The economy gets turned upside down when there are more consumers than there are contributors. That’s what’s happening right now in America. We have more consumers than we have contributors. Yet God designed us to create wealth, to produce wealth; he designed us to be productive people. God wants you to be productive, and his plan for your life includes wealth creation — not wealth redistribution. Let me explain the difference between capitalism, communism, and Christianity. Capitalism says, “What’s mine is mine, and I’m going to keep it.” Communism says, “What’s yours is mine, and I have a right to take it.” That’s called redistribution of wealth. But Christianity says, “What’s mine is really God’s, and I’m willing to share it.” One of the reasons our economy has collapsed is because for many years, huge numbers of people — particularly on places like Wall Street — were making outrageous amounts of money without really creating anything. They didn’t create services. They didn’t create benefits. They didn’t create products. They didn’t create jobs. They simply made money on money. That is not what God wants us to do. God wants us to provide benefits, services, and protection to others. He wants us to create opportunities to help people. When somebody taxes you to help the poor, you don’t get any credit for it. But when you are voluntarily generous and help others, that builds your character. It helps you grow. Becoming more productive and generous helps you to become more like Christ. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over How does the work you do create opportunities to help other people? Is it easier for you to be generous with your time or with your money? Why do you think this is so? What financial goals has your family set? What are you working for? Our Gift: Financial Fitness Study Kit Learn the biblical principles of how to save, invest, and spend your money. Receive the Financial Fitness Study Kit with your donation. LEARN MORE Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes all complete sermons from the Rick Warren Financial Fitness teaching series. LEARN MORE Series Summary Message 1: Foundation of Financial Health Message 2: The Law of Contentment Message 3: The Laws of Sowing and Reaping Message 4: The Habits of Financial Health Message 5: Where Best to Invest PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2015 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe