25) True Treasure
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul has come to the closing of his letter to Timothy. After a series of corrections and a final charge to his young friend and minister, he closes his letter with two final topics that he would like to address. In this next passage his instructs Timothy on how to pastor the rich.
He has come down very hard on the false teachers and those that have a love of money. Those who have fallen in love with accumulating or getting more and more. Never satisfied and always chasing. He rebuked those that use the church for their own financial gain.
One reading this letter and Timothy himself could have seen any money to be bad. That just by having any level of wealth could be seen as a sin or at least an accusation of sin.
When we looked at the love of money a couple of weeks ago, we looked at the teachings on being content with what God has blessed each and every person with whether much or little.
So what about those that have wealth. There were those in the early church and in the church today that God has blessed with wealth.
Is it wrong to be wealthy? Should all money be given away? Is it evil to he money? These may be questions that people were having or there were teaching that having any money was a sin. So Paul turns to those that were wealthy in the church and to give Timothy how he is to lead them.
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
Who is Rich?
Who is Rich?
He turns to this group that he calls the rich. They would have had an idea in their mind who Paul was putting in this category. If I were to ask each and every person here how you define someone who is rich, what is the likelihood that we would have the same definition.
A study last year by Charles Schwab found that Americans believe that a person must have a net worth of 2.5 million dollars to be wealthy or rich. Based on another study of the net worth of American households, a net worth of 2.5 million would be somewhere in the top 2-3%.
If this is what people think and where people are at then that would mean that the average church wouldn’t have anyone in this economic class. We could then say that these verses do not apply to the common man but to those very few who can somehow manage to get to the 2.5 million mark. But is this what Paul is saying.
When we look at the words Paul uses for a rich person, riches themselves, to receive richly he uses a word that comes with the idea of abundance. Paul is likely simply saying those that have abundance. Those that have more than they need for the basics of life. They have food to eat, cloths on their backs and a roof over their head.
Our opportunities for wealth are different today. We do not live in a society that you can come to the point of selling your services to other people because you have no opportunity to earn money. There were not government programs and money available like there is today. But if you took your expenses for a week would you have enough to by more than the basics? Would you have enough money to buy a coffee, go out to dinner, have a cell phone, cable, a streaming service the list goes on. Much of what we spend our money on today wasn’t even available back then and in reality is spent out of the abundance of wealth that we have been given by God. It is likely that the majority of American would falling the category of rich.
Instruction on Hope
Instruction on Hope
There is a danger that Paul warns of when a person has an abundance of wealth. There becomes a temptation to trust in that wealth, to put confidence in it. To find that it makes a person feel secure in life. They become arrogant or high minded in what they have believe they have created. But it wasn’t them.
17 You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ 18 but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
They start to see what they have stored here on earth and they find comfort and boasting in it.
23 “ ‘This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. 24 But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me— that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.
This might remind us of the parable of the rich man in Luke
16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Timothy is to instruct or a better word is to command them to not fall into the temptation of trusting in their wealth. The reason is that it is temporary and uncertain. As he speaks of the present age he is talking about this world this time.
19 “Don’t 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 don’t break in and steal.
Though God has blessed some with abundance they are to remember to set their hope on God. They are to remember that all of this is his. This is my father’s world and he richly provides for us with all things to enjoy.
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
They are to set there hope on the provider and not the provision. It would be the equivalent of a teen walking through their home one day. They open the fridge and the cabinets and they are stalked full of food. It is snowing outside and they are nice and warm inside. The tv is on with their favorite show on and they look around and say man I have really done well for myself. This is the life I don’t need my parents anymore. I am good.
But who is it that has provided all that they have, the parents. The child’s heart has turned from being thankful for the blessings of the provider and have arrogantly claimed to accomplish what they did not. What will happen to the home in time without the parents? it will be fleeting and will be eventually taken away.
Timothy is to guide those in his church that would be rich to never let their hope turn from being fully placed on God and instead turn to their riches.
Instruction to do Good
Instruction to do Good
18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,
After he instructs them to not forget the giver of the wealth, he then instructs that they should to what is good. The Christian life is not a life that is idle or passive. Like Justin taught last week, there are things to do in our walk with God.
Here he starts with they are to do what is good. They are to be people who’s behavior is aligned with the will of God in their life. They are to be doers of good.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.
Their wealth does not change who they are called to be.
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is a temptation for the wealthy to look down on those that do not have but all Christians are walk in this way with humility and gentleness. Making the effort to keep the peace with all believers.
He deepens the instruction with they are to be rich in good works. They are to have an abundance of good works. This idea of good works is a theme of Paul’s writings and Jesus’ teachings.
Good works will be seen by others and bring glory to God.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Good works were prepared for the believer.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
Leaders were to be examples of good works.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled 7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching.
Christians are to be eager (zealous) for good works
14 He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.
We are to encourage each other to good works.
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
And they were to be devoted to Good works
14 Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works for pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
Paul would focus in his letters on good works as a part of the faith of a person. And for the rich he add being generous and willing to share.
18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share,
Those that have been blessed with and abundance are to be generous with what God has provided.
13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
Their heart is to be in a place that they willingly share, not begrudgingly or out of obligation but out of the overflow of their heart and compassion for others in need.
Generosity will be a blessing.
9 A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Generosity is a quality of a mature believer. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he writes:
6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written: He distributed freely; he gave to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. 10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Through the generosity of God’s people, those that receive the gift give thanks to God. This part of ministry gives proof of the confession believers have in the gospel. It bring God’s glory and shows the heart of God in his people.
Store Up Eternal Treasure
Store Up Eternal Treasure
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; 10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
If we are not careful we can see these verses as a requirement that if we give to God then he must fill our vats overflowing. These verses are used by false teachers all of the time to get people to give to their church. But the most important word in that proverb is honor. Honor God with your possession and then. See we can give and not honor God with it. We are to be generous because God has called us to honor him. to give him glory with it.
God will bless a gift that honors him but what comes back may not be treasure of this world but treasures of the next.
By being generous and willing to share they store for themselves a good foundation.
19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
When we think back to the rich man who made new storehouses to hold all that he had then his life was taken that very day. The parable ends with
21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Independent of any wealth that is or is not attained in this time, while we are on earth it not to be the focus of a Christian’s life. There were many that wanted the perceived comfort of having wealth. But Jesus continued after this parable with this.
22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus reminds them of their worth before the Lord and that they are to have faith that God will provide what they need to live. He tells them not to strive for what you should eat or drink don’t fix your mind on how you will acquire wealth. But instead he says seek his kingdom and these things will be provided to you.
God’s kingdom, that he delights to give to his children, Sell your possessions and give to the poor. After he speaks of not worrying about where they were find food he tells them to sell their stuff and to use it to help the poor. Making-money bags that will contain an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. When we think to the rich man who asked Jesus what he must do to be saved and in the end Jesus gave him this last thing.
22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The result was that the man left.
23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich. 24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were discouraged by this result so Jesus responded
24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed you.” 29 So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”
The rich were to do good works and in doing so they would treasure for themselves a foundation, a solid base, something sure for the coming age for eternity. For the result is
19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
So that they can take hold of what is truly life. To truly live is to live for the next time to be temporary citizens of this time of this place and to build and participate in the building of the next kingdom.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The instructions to the rich are instruction to all people to seek to do good works and to be generous. Over the years there have been times where I have been surprised by the generosity of what we would call the poor in our country. I have also seen that some of the stingiest people I have met are those we would call rich.
The real point that Paul is making here is that those that have wealth are to not put their hope and trust in it because it will come and go and to not miss the opportunity to store up treasure in heaven by using the resources that God has given you to build the kingdom of God here in this time. To build that which will transcend into the next time, eternal life.
A question we can ask ourselves today is “Has God provided me an abundance?” If you were to look at your finances and strip away everything that is not necessary to live, how much would be removed? Most of us would probably be surprised how much we spend on unnecessary things. Or things that will not last.
The next question is “If God has supplied me with abundance, what am I going to do good with it?” How can I use it for God? How can I be generous? And willing to give? How can I do good works with what God has supplied?
So what are some ways that we can do this?
As members of a church we give collectively to be able to accomplish things for God together that we could not do on our own. We use those resources to support ministries, people in need, the facility that we have to gather in, and to support pastors and staff.
Get involved relationally in the church community so that you can know what others are going through and be able to help in a time of need.
Be involved in the church community outside of our own church. This way we can hear about needs like the baugh’s and we can have fund raisers like the one we are having March 1st.
Start to look at your finances to be prepared to help when the time comes. Most needs are urgent and many times need responses.
$23k in non mortgage debt
We must start to see our finances as a part of our faith and not an external part of our lives. I have my faith over here and my finances over here. They must be a part of our faith and our walk, and when we use them for his glory we will provide proof of our faith.
13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Communion
Warning
Children, Lost, Sin
19 And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer
Song
Closing
Blessing/Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
