Sermon Tone Analysis

Our faith in Jesus isn’t just about going to heaven when we die it is about living the new life Jesus has given us right now.

Even though we are imperfect people, with the help of his Spirit, we are learning to live as God’s people in this world today - which is why we look at the scriptures together, because it is God’s word, the Spirit’s word to us - what Jesus and his apostles have passed down to us so that we might know and love Jesus and live for him.

So today a chunk of our time together will involve some discussion at your table to get you thinking about how you can live by the principles we look at in the scriptures today.

We know that for some this is uncomfortable – or something you’re not used to – If you really don’t want to talk you can just tell the people at your table that you just want to listen..

In this series we are looking at what Jesus and his disciples taught about pursuing true success…and investing in our future…

As human beings we naturally invest in the things we think will bring us success – we’re just wired that way…

And our hearts always follow our investments – you will love whatever it is you cling to for success…

So this is really important stuff, that impacts our daily lives, how we relate to God and each other, the kind of future we will have, and what we are leaving behind for the next generation!

Last week we looked at a parable that Jesus told of a rich man who was foolish.

He was foolish not because he was rich, but because he was not rich toward God!

Last week we looked at a parable that Jesus told of a rich man who was foolish.

Even though this man was materially successful Jesus calls him foolish because he was not rich toward God!

“True success is far deeper and more comprehensive than financial success or enjoyment of this life.

True success involves being ‘rich toward God’.”

And being rich toward God is really about your wealth, your energy, your investments being poured into Christ and his Kingdom…

Usually when we think about investing and laying a foundation for the future we think of finances and material wealth.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, managing your money well and being prepared for the future is both wise and something taught in the bible.

God encourages us to invest in and prepare for the future....

However, Jesus and his disciples challenge us to think radically different about our wealth and how we are investing for the future...

True success is far deeper and more comprehensive than financial success and enjoyment of this life.

True success is found in knowing Christ and being invested in his eternal kingdom!

In other words, ‘being rich toward God.’

Usually when we think about investing and laying a foundation for the future we think of finances and material wealth.

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, managing your money well and being prepared for the future is both wise and taught in the bible.

However, Jesus and his disciples challenge us to think radically different about our wealth and investing for the future...

Which requires a radically different view of our own wealth and investing for the future.

In we find an important bit of instruction that contains a set of core principles regarding the proper use of our wealth for successfully laying down a solid foundation for the future.

Throughout ch 6 there is a focus on true success and future inheritance for the faithful.

But ironically in Timothy’s church, it is Christians who are blessed with material wealth who are the ones getting off course, and not finish well.... in fact some had already wandered from the faith…

So before we look at the passage I have to ask you, Are you materially rich?

Because this teaching begins with the phrase ‘As for the rich’ Which means some of us will look at this passage and think - well this is for someone else… or if I ever make a lot of money then maybe this is something I need to pay attention to this teaching.... BUT hold on … Are you Rich?

some wealthy people have lost sight of!

Are you Rich?

Are you Rich?

80% of Ontario welfare recipients receive $23,039 per year.

Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services (https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/social/sarac/recipients_sarac.aspx)

80% of Ontario welfare recipients receive $23,039 per year.

Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services (https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/social/sarac/recipients_sarac.aspx)

Compare with the rest of the world (see: http://www.globalrichlist.com/)

We are rich!

Which requires a radically different view of our own wealth and investing for the future.

I don’t want to diminish the real financial problems that some of us may be facing here this morning, you may be in a very difficult situation this morning - But we ARE are among the wealthiest people in the world, we have material wealth - this teaching is for us...

And because we live in a culture that is materially successful, we have a strong temptation to get off course, to become foolish — so listen carefully to this instruction....

This teaching is about laying down A good foundation for the future = it is about investing wealth - storing up treasure for the future = it doesn’t say for eternity, just the future in general which I’m sure includes eternity…But ‘The future’ has to do with true success in this life as well - it is related to taking hold of that which is truly life!

The verb means to physically GRAB HOLD of - This is how you grab a hold of true life and invest in a solid foundation for the future…

How are we to use our wealth?

Use your wealth to do good!

Increase your good works - become rich in good works…

Use your wealth to do good!

Increase your good works - become rich in good works…

Use your wealth to do good!

Increase your good works - become rich in good works…

Use your wealth to do good!

Increase your good works - become rich in good works…

“be generous and ready to share”

Generous = giving freely to others

80% of Ontario welfare recipients receive $23,039 per year.

Share = perspective of viewing one’s possessions as sort of available to the community - a common sharing (koinonia).

Source: Ministry of Community and Social Services (https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/publications/social/sarac/recipients_sarac.aspx)

Compare with the rest of the world (see: http://www.globalrichlist.com/)

We are rich!

the Focus of 1 Timothy chapter six is the future inheritance that both Paul and Timothy and any faithful believer in Jesus -

Really.

How does that make any sense for investing in the future?

“He doesn’t tell the rich to become poor, but he doesn’t allow them to stay rich either, he warns them of the dangers of wealth and then tells them to be generous with their wealth which will inevitably lower their own standard of living.”