Being Rich in Christ

1 Timothy 6:17-21

Know that you are Rich

Knowing your Net Worth

This passage, this sermon, is for the rich. But before you check out and think I’m talking to someone else, let me remind you: You are rich in this world. This text applies to every one of us:

Americans are wealthier than any other nation - even our poorest have more than most of the world

The poorest 20% in the US consume 3x as much as the wealthiest in developing nations

Christians are abundantly blessed in Christ

Eph 1:3 You have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ

We have a treasure trove of wisdom at our fingertips (library, preaching and teaching, online material)

We have so much wealth of knowledge and understanding and opportunity at our disposal, and yet most are content to just be spoon fed.

What Paul has said of riches

He warns of inordinate desires 1 Tim 6:9-10

The desire for riches is a temptation - a trap - leading to destruction

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Riches are not the problem, the heart is.

There are those in the church who are blessed with worldly riches

It is not a sin, but there is a charge to the wealthy - instruction on how to view and use their wealth - to avoid the snare.

Paul doesn’t warn about the possession of wealth, but of its misuse.

How do we shape a healthy view of wealth, not getting caught in the snare, but continue to strive to take hold of eternal life?

Don't and Do's for the Rich

The Don’ts

Don’t be haughty

Τhere is a tendency for those who are rich to become arrogant, proud, and aloof - a false sense of importance. An expectation that their money affords them influence, protection, immunity.

When making a donation, suggesting what should be preached on, or avoided…

The gospel is still at the heart; we are all sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ. He loved us when we were unlovable,

2 Cor 8:9 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Don’t put your hope on uncertain riches

Τhe other tendency to to put your trust, your sense of security, in the wealth you have accumulated

The wealthiest of the world before the Black Tuesday market crash of 1929: Charles Schwab, lived on borrowed money for the last five years of his life and died bankrupt; the president of the largest utility, Samuel Insull, died in a foreign land, penniless and a fugitive from justice.

No one should expect riches to provide their ultimate happiness or security.

Riches vanish, but Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever

Prov 23:5 - When you set your eyes on wealth, it suddenly sprouts wings, flying like an eagle to heaven.

The Do’s

Put your trust in God

He is the giver of every good gift, and he gives for our enjoyment.

The scriptures aren’t against wealth, but teaches us to see material prosperity is fleeting, but God is eternal. Don’t pin your hopes on the gift, but on the giver of the gift.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

All that we have is a gift from our Heavenly Father; we have nothing that does not comes from the throne of God. You have been blessed with all things in Christ, so that you might glorify God and enjoy Him.

God blessed you, not for your self-indulgence, so the instruction is also to be rich in good works.

Be rich in good works

Paul actually commands the rich to be rich, but in good works. The first thing God wants is not your money, but that you would have a servant’s heart.

This doesn’t need to cost a dime - volunteering your time to help those in need, calling, visiting, showing up at youth group, mentoring a young Christian. Go to the mission and feed the hungry, care for the sick, preach the good news!

You were saved for good works

Eph 2:10 We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…

Be generous and ready to share

One of the best ways to learn to trust God rather than money is to give your money away - embracing a lifestyle of giving - rather than seeing godliness as a means of gain, allow your gain to be a means of godliness

Your wealth is another opportunity to learn discipleship, to die to yourself daily and follow Christ

Matt 10:8 - “Freely you have received, freely you are to give.” God has lavishing his goodness and loving-kindness upon you, that it might be poured into the lives of others.

Taking Hold of Real Life

Storing up treasures for the future

There is a contrast - between rich in this age, and treasures in the future

When you have great earthly riches, the tendency is to be preoccupied with savings and inheritance, and well-being. And Paul is saying when you are in that condition where you have much, you must consciously lay up treasure for the future, the treasure of good foundation for the future.

Luke 12:33 - “Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Not earning salvation - you can’t buy your way into heaven

Eternal life is God’s free gift - it cannot be purchased, earned, or merited - it is God’s gracious gift in Christ. But those who are saved, out of gratitude and an abiding sense of God’s grace will live a life of good works and generous giving - knowing even now the divine economy of God’s eternal kingdom.

Taking hold of the real life

The heavenly, spiritual life, is more real than what we see and touch, it is eternal, lasting, and true

Everything of this world is passing away

1 John 2:16-17 “All that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

The Gospel, again, is at the heart here.

Hold loosely to this world that you may cling to Christ