Rich Instructions

You are rich! Rich in Christ and rich in relation to wordly goods compared with most of the world.

Riches are relative though. We have a higher standard of living in the USA than in many African countries. We make more, but we also have more requirements on us. such as building codes, car inspections, taxes.

Rich Action

1 Timothy 6:17–19 NASB95

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

1. Think Low

Don’t be conceited = high minded. Thinking that because of your wealth, you are inherently worth more than those who less wealthy.

Every human being is created in God’s image. That image is not diminished by a lack of wealth, nor is that image enhanced by an abundance of riches.

Rich in this world does not = rich in the eternal state. On the first day after the rapture your whole outlook on what is important will change. You are not going be thinking, “I wish I had bought a nicer house or why didn’t I get that sports car that I really wanted.

12. Oskar Schindler: “I could have got more out. I could have got more. I don’t know. If I’d just—I could have got more.”

Itzhak Stern: “Oskar, there are eleven hundred people who are alive because of you. Look at them.”

Oskar Schindler: “If I’d made more money—I threw away so much money. You have no idea. If I’d just—.”

Itzhak Stern: “There will be generations because of what you did.”

Oskar Schindler: “I didn’t do enough!”

2. Hope High

What are we dependent on? Riches or God?

Lamentations 3:24 NASB95

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”

Colossians 3:2 NASB95

2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

What has God provided for you. Dwell on what God has provided not on what you want to have.

3. Do Good

Use you wealth for good purposes. Don’t invest in morally evil things. Do your research!

I.e. don’t invest in healthcare companies that research abortion drugs or provide abortions services.

or

Don’t support media companies who’s entertainment undermines Biblical truths like godly marriage or godly family values.

We have an IRA with a christian investment firm that only

4. Do Good Things

Widows

1 Timothy 5:4 NASB95

4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

Family

1 Timothy 5:8 NASB95

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Elders

1 Timothy 5:17 NASB95

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Needy Brethren

Acts 4:34–35 NASB95

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

5. Give abundantly

generous = liberally. beyond the minimum

A political liberal is someone who gives away other people’s money.

A Christian liberal is someone who gives away his own money.

6. Be Ready

This is a good motive for saving. Set aside some so that you will alway have something to give.

Church should do this too.

Rich Reward

1 Timothy 6:19 NASB95

19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Matthew 6:19–21 NASB95

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 16:9 NASB95

9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Matthew 25:40 NASB95

40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 6:18–19

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot)