
CPM Sessions with Darryl Riden
CPM Sessions is a podcast featuring Bible teaching with an emphasis on Biblical theology, youth ministry, and counseling hosted by Darryl Riden. Darryl is president of Christ Powered Ministries in Maryville TN. With these sessions we hope to bring you practical, Biblical information in the areas of theology, Christian counseling, and student ministry issues as they relate to young people, families, and the local church.With 30 years experience as an ordained minister, youth pastor, evangelist, music artist, and family therapist, Darryl has ministered to thousands of young people throughout the southeast. CPM provides Biblical counseling to young adults as well as partnering with orphanages in India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Darryl's passion is proclaiming God's Word while encouraging students to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with love, boldness, and doctrinal clarity. Christ Powered Ministries Missions Association: www.cpmlife.org
(c) 2023 Darryl E. Riden
CPM Sessions with Darryl Riden
Fleeting Wealth and Fame: What we can learn from King Solomon about money, acclaim, and stewardship.
In this episode we will look at money, tithing, stewardship, fame and personal value.
I’ve been reading through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes this past month which prompted me to do this episode- In Ecclesiastes the main point Solomon is making is be wise in all areas of your life- seek wisdom from the Lord, in money matters, acclaim, relationships, worship. And wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and respect of the Word of God.
Let’s look at money- so much of this vanity issue is tied up with our money and our stewardship of it.
Average family in the USA lives on 76,000 per year. Many make 45,000 The poverty level for a 4 person family in the USA is 25,000
For comparison, the average family in India earns $2,300 ( exchange rate in US dollars) Afghanistan 360 per year, Philippines 3900. Pakistan 1500, Nigeria 2000 Mexico 10,000 -our ministry works with orphanages and ministries in these places and we know what they struggle with to put food on the table
American couples making 100,000 say they can no longer live on that amount
all that matters is our family, our friends, the lives we touch and hopefully make better, and our faith in Christ that brings us eternal life and peace.
Solomon wasted so much of his wealth on earthly pursuits, madness and folly, at the end of his life he repented and acknowledged everything was vanity except to worship and follow the Lord. Read Eccl. ch. 12
Jean Paul Getty died in 1976 wealthiest man in the world then- he divorced 5 times and had 4 other women - he said at the end of his life, “I would have given all my money away for one good marriage and peace of mind.”
This from a 20th century Solomon who had everything, but missed the best things-
Benjamin Franklin said: “discontentment makes rich men poor, while contentment makes poor men rich.”
Solomon told his son’s -Proverbs 23: 4-5
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
we need to ask ourselves: Am I trying to please people or please God?
In this day of social media cult of comparison you better have some restraint and turn to Jesus with a heart of gratefulness because comparison is the thief of joy.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
what is a tithe? means a 10th, isn’t that an OT law, not for NT believers?
The quick answer is the tithe was given as an example of dedication to the Lord long before Israel was a nation. Abraham in Gen 14 gave a tithe
it is a Biblical principle- see it in light of 2 Corinthians 9:7 that says: Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
we are to give from our increase and the amount is not the issue-the attitude of our heart is
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
All music content written and performed by Darryl Riden, Taylor Riden, Caiti Riden (c) 2024
Contact info: cpmlife.org Christ Powered Ministries