Sermons From First Timothy - The Christian And Money (6:6-10,17-19)

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                     "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                 The Christian And Money (6:6-10,17-19)

INTRODUCTION

1. The Bible says a great deal about money...
   a. It speaks about earning and spending, saving and giving
   b. It even tells about wasting our money

2. It puts to rest two commonly held misconceptions about money...
   a. That money provides ultimate security - Pr 23:4-5; Lk 12:15
   b. That God condemns the rich for being rich
      1) He certainly hates false gain, wrong motives for getting rich,
         and lack of compassionate generosity among the wealthy
      2) But some of the most godly people in the Bible were rich (Job,
         Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia)

3. The Bible also teaches that both the rich and poor must fight similar
   battles, such as...
   a. Envy of others
   b. Greed for more

4. One passage in particular addresses several attitudes that often
   accompany money...
   a. It is found in 1Ti 6:6-10,17-19
   b. Which can be divided into three sections:  reminders, warnings and
      commands

[First, let's consider the...]

I. REMINDERS TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT RICH

   A. DON'T THINK RELIGION IS JUST A WAY TO GET RICH...
      1. As did some in Timothy's day - 1Ti 6:5
      2. As some do today (cf. "The Gospel Of Health And Wealth")
      3. Religion (godliness) is of value only when joined with
         contentment - 1Ti 6:6

   B. GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS THE GREAT GAIN...
      1. That which constitutes true wealth - 1Ti 6:6
         a. A consistent, authentic walk with God
         b. Combined with satisfaction and peace within (regardless of
            finances)
      2. The key is contentment!
         a. A quality that is learned - cf. Php 4:11-12
         b. How is it learned?  By having:
            1) A proper perspective on life - 1Ti 6:7
               a) "You can't take with you"
               b) "What did he leave behind?"  "Everything."
               c) Ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?
            2) An understanding of the true physical necessities of life
               - 1Ti 6:8
               a) Food and clothing
               b) Shelter is not a necessity, as millions exist without
                  it (e.g., in India)

[Thus the reminder to those not rich as to the key to true wealth:
godliness with contentment!  To those who want to get rich, Paul
provides a...]

II. WARNINGS TO THOSE WHO WANT TO GET RICH

   A. THE DANGER OF PURSUING WEALTH...
      1. He is talking of those "who desire to be rich" - 1Ti 6:9
         a. Those who have a firm resolve, a strong determination
         b. One who is possessed with the thought of getting rich
      2. Such will "fall"
         a. Note the certainty:  those who desire to be rich fall - cf.
            Pr 28:20
         b. Into what will one fall? - 1Ti 6:9
            1) Temptations!
            2) Snares!
            3) Many foolish and harmful lusts!

   B. THE DANGER OF THE LOVE OF MONEY...
      1. Note carefully what Paul says - 1Ti 6:10
         a) It is the love of money, not money itself
         b) It is "a" root of all kinds of evil (ASV, NKJV), not "the"
            root of all evil
      2. Those who long for money (in greediness), will experience two
         perils
         a) They will stray from the faith - cf. Mt 6:24
         b) They will suffer many sorrows - cf. Pr 28:20

[Be careful, or you will find yourself in "the black hole of greed"!
This warning applies both to the poor (who want to get rich) and the
rich (who want to be richer).  And now, we find Paul giving...]

III. COMMANDS TO THOSE WHO ARE RICH

   A. DO NOT BE HAUGHTY...
      1. That is, high-minded or conceited - 1Ti 6:17; cf. Jm 4:6
      2. Remember that what you have ultimately comes from God!

   B. DO NOT TRUST IN WEALTH FOR SECURITY...
      1. Riches are "uncertain" (especially in our economy!) - 1Ti 6:17
      2. Riches are "insufficient" - cf. Lk 12:15-21 (the parable of the
         rich fool)

   C. BE A GENEROUS PERSON...
      1. Note the repeated emphasis - 1Ti 6:18
         a. "Do good, be rich in good works"
         b. "Ready to give, willing to share"
      2. Look beyond the "good life" - 1Ti 6:19
         a. Store up a good foundation for "the time to come"
         b. Lay hold on "eternal life"!

CONCLUSION

1. This does not exhaust the subject of money, but we have addressed
   several critical issues...
   a. For those struggling to make ends meet
      1) Guard against being envious of the wealthy
      2) Focus on learning contentment in life
   b. For those engaged in the pursuit of money
      1) It's only a matter of time before you will be ensnared and
         miserable
      2) In the process, you will lose the very things you think money
         can provide (peace, happiness, love, satisfaction)
   c. For those blessed to be rich
      1) Put away any conceit
      2) Forget about finding ultimate security in riches
      3) Tap into that which is life eternal, by cultivating generosity

2. Speaking of riches, the greatest treasures are those found in Jesus
   Christ...
   a. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
      sins, according to the riches of His grace." - Ep 1:7
   b. "In Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
      - Col 2:3
   c. "And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality
      and power - Col 2:10

3. Why not come to Jesus today in complete obedience to His will...
   a. Place your faith in Him who died for your sins
   b. Repent of your sins
   c. Confess your faith in the risen Christ, the Son of God
   d. Be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins

Then you can begin to experience the "true riches" which Jesus offers to
all who will obey Him...!
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