How To Handle Wealth
The Prison Epistles • Sermon • Submitted
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Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Introduction:
Introduction:
There are have been many times when one single verse in the book of 1 Timothy is misquoted.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Many people, if they are not careful, will find themselves misquoting this verse and saying that “money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
But is not correct, for it is not the money itself that is the problem, but it is people’s response to and dependence on that money that is the problem.
If no other verse in the Scriptures will inform you that there is no sin in the fact that a believer has money, it should be this text.
For in this text the Apostle does not teach against having money, it is just those that do have money should be wise and godly in the use of the money.
Now, it is very true that riches can stand in the way of someone’s eternity.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And it was in the context of that chapter in Matthew’s gospel that a rich man allowed his riches to get in the way of eternity with Christ.
But it was not the wealth that caused that man to die and go to hell; it was that man’s attitude towards the wealth.
James also had this to say about a rich man that glories in his wealth
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Again, it is not the riches itself, but the attitude behind the riches.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Jesus condemned much of the attitude of the rich with these words.
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Meaning this and a repeat of the Beatitudes.
Those who do not realize their spiritual poverty and trust in accomplishments and riches, that is the best that it will get for them.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
And even though God has many, many judgments on the wrong attitudes of the wealthy regarding their wealth, wealth is not an evil thing; in and of itself.
But we also need to understand that wealth is no way a sign of God’s blessing.
But God does use rich people as well.
The Lord used Zacchaeus as an illustration of His grace.
The Lord did not require that Zacchaeus give up all that He possessed to be saved, but just to give back what was stolen.
The Lord used Joseph are Arimetha, to meet a need of the Lord at His death; and he was a disciple of Christ.
How a person handles either their wealthy or their poverty is a sign of the abundance or the lack of spiritual maturity in their lives.
All believers, whether in poverty or riches, are stewards and are given the responsibility to protect and mange what the Lord has given them.
In the remainder of this first epistle, Paul describes two areas in which believers are stewards and have a great responsibility; in material possessions and in truth.
What a wonderful reminder as Paul finishes out this first epistles after having coming down from the doxology of verses 15-16 with a solemn reminder; that life is about about both worship and duty.
The highest form of worship is to do the will of God.
But when duty does not spring from a worshipful heart, there is nothing there by legalism.
While we are not to pursue wealth, God (and Paul in this letter) does not condemn those whom God has enriched with material wealth.
But he does call on them to exercise the proper stewardship of their God-given resources.
It is not a sin to be rich; Abraham, Job, and Solomon were wealthy.
As were such people in the NT; Lydia, Dorcas, and Philemon.
It is a sin; however, to love riches and fail to be a good steward of one’s possessions.
The thing about loving riches is that you do not have to be rich to love them; even poor people can be bitten by the serpent of loving riches and are just as sinful as the rich man who loves his riches.
Apparently, there were some wealthy people in the Church of Ephesus.
Ephesus was a city in Asia Minor that was a coastal city.
So that city would have been huge in import/export.
And so Paul gives Timothy some closing remarks on how to handle wealth.
I. There are Dangers to Avoid (vs. 17)
I. There are Dangers to Avoid (vs. 17)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
“Charge” is “παραγγέλλω,” it is an imperative and literally means to give a direct order.
There was no option here from Paul to Timothy.
This was a direct order from the pen of Paul to Timothy.
Paul gives Timothy direct, strict orders to warn the wealthy against certain dangers.
A. Indulgent Arrogance (vs. 17a)
A. Indulgent Arrogance (vs. 17a)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
The first danger of the wealthy is to think more of yourself than you should.
“Timothy, I command you to warn them not to think to highly of themselves.”
“High-minded” is the word “ὑψηλοφρονέω” and it means to be conceited.
Looking down on those who are lower on the economic ladder.
If people are not careful, riches will tend to make them think a little bit more of themselves then they should.
Rich people are constantly faced with the temptation to put on airs of superiority.
Riches and pride are frequently found together.
The wealthy often forget from where riches come.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
If a wealthy person is arrogant then he does not understand himself or his wealth.
We do not ever own anything; we are but stewards.
If someone has wealth, then it is by the goodness and the grace of God and not because there is special merit on our part.
So, the first danger that Paul warns the wealthy; Indulgent Arrogance.
B. Incorrect Assurance (vs. 17b)
B. Incorrect Assurance (vs. 17b)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
The parable of the farmer that Jesus told in Luke 12:13-21, that farmer thought that his wealthy meant security, when really what it an evidence of insecurity.
He was not trusting in God.
Riches are uncertain and their values change all the time.
God is the giver of wealth and so God should be the one that is trusted.
Paul commands Timothy to warn the wealthy of his church not to trust in those riches, but to trust in the Lord that gives us all things to enjoy.
And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
The rich always need to avoid the pit fall of depending on riches and not on the God that gives the riches.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
II. There are Duties to Fulfill (vs. 18)
II. There are Duties to Fulfill (vs. 18)
Along with the dangers to forbid are the duties that must be fulfilled.
A. Driven by Good (vs. 18a)
A. Driven by Good (vs. 18a)
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
The word is “ἀγαθοεργέω” and speaks about those things that are inherently good.
The wealthy are to use their lives and their wealth to do genuinely good and noble things.
B. Dedicated to Giving (vs. 18b)
B. Dedicated to Giving (vs. 18b)
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Willing to communicate has to do with the rich being ready to give to needs of the poor.
Paul says that one of the duties of the rich is to always be willing to help and give to the poor.
Since the wealth belongs to the Lord anyway, he commands to be willing to give to the needs of the poor.
“Communicate” is “κοινωνικός” and it means that the giving is not suppose to be done in a cold, detached manner.
Rather, it must be mutual care and concern arising from the common life that believers share.
III. There are Developments to Focus (vs. 19)
III. There are Developments to Focus (vs. 19)
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Paul says to consider.
By sharing for the needs of other, they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation in the future.
1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Development to Consider
The rich are not to be concerned with getting a return on their investment in this life. Those who lay up treasure in heaven will be content to wait to receive their dividends in the future when they reach heaven.
The rich need to be concerned with investing in heaven.
Believers must live their lives in light of eternity.
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Development to Consider
Christians should invest their money in the souls of men and women, who will be there to greet them and thank them when they arrive in heaven.