Sermon Tone Analysis

An important subject

Money impacts physically, spiritually and mentally, no wonder there is much in the bible about it.

(Insert money key words PowerPoint slide here)

Look at those words, would you think they accurately speak about money and what we think or may do with it?

Bible speaks a great deal about money and Paul is instructing Timothy for the church some great truths and reminders.

There are some misconceptions about money to address first:

Money provides ultimate security (Pro23:4-5; Lk12:15)

God condemns the rich for being, well, rich.

Can’t put a scripture here for there is none that fit.

Now it is true God hates dishonest gain (Pro11:1)

Money should not be a priority (Jm4:13)

Wants us not to hoard it, but to be compassionate with it (Jm5:1-6)

There are some good examples of rich people in the bible that used riches in godly way: Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, and Barnabas are a few examples.

Rich and poor have some of the same fights:

Envy of others

Greed for more.

This morning as we look at the instructions for godly conduct for the church Timothy is given some good reminders:

Reminders for those who are not rich

Warnings for those who want to get rich

Commands for those who are rich

Reminders

Commercials, billboards, print ad’s all tell you of the things that will make your life better.

Most of them entail money.

But what if you don’t have any?

Paul gives some godly conduct instructions for the church for those that are money challenged.

The world wants you to have money, seek for more money, but you know there are those of the supposed church that believe the same too.

(Insert: Prosperity Gospel picture here)

I’m confident you have heard of the prosperity gospel, or health and wealth gospel, Wikipedia says: is a religious belief among some Protestant Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one's material wealth.

May we know that this is contrary to the scripture and for those who are not rich, Paul gives some godly instructions.

Don’t think that Christianity is just a way to get rich (1Tim6:5-6)

It was the belief of some then, just as it is of some today that religion as a means to get rich

Godliness is of great gain when accompanied by contentment (Php4:11-12).

Contentment comes with the proper perspective on life (1Tim6:7)

Proper perspective is you cannot take it with you, you came in with nothing and will leave with nothing.

Proper perspective is understanding true necessities of this life

Contentment is knowing to be content with food and covering (clothing) for even shelter is not required for many life (some by choice) without shelter.

Contentment, may you consider(Heb13:5-6)

(Transition): Contentment, learning to be and being content is a great help, a great reminder to those who are not rich.

Warnings to those who want to get rich

We mentioned (Jm4:13) earlier about wanting to get rich and there is dangers in that, so may we take a few to look at what Paul had to say, as well as others.

Start with our passage

Warning regarding pursuing (desiring) riches (1Tim6:9; Pro28:20)

Desire: (N) a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

One commentator stated “those who have a firm resolve, a strong determination.

One who is possessed with the thought of getting rich.

Such a one will fail

Hum, the certainty of the fall, or being punished, let me put the verse back up here again.

The fall:

Temptation: Strong desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise

Snare: something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded: something deceptively attractive.

Foolish and harmful lusts: Having lust, or eager desire of carnal gratification;

The results:

Ruin

Destruction

The warning about the love of money (1Tim6:10; Mt6:24; Pro28:20)

Notice the wording here, many have said that money is the root of all evil, and that is not what it says.

It is the love of money, not the money itself

It is “a” root; not the root of all kinds of evil

Those with the love of money has dire consequences

They will stray from the faith

They will suffer many sorrows

The more you have, the more you want so you can have more so you want more, it can be a vicious cycle and money becomes an idol, a root of all kinds of evil.

(Transition) Paul is not done with the instructions for conduct regarding money, now he turns to address those who are rich, and not just him, so let’s see what we can learn.

Commands for those who are rich

So, remember, money itself is not evil, being rich is not evil.

Now we turn to some good godly instructions for those who are rich.

Instruction: Do not be haughty (1Tim6:17; Jm4:6)

Don’t be high minded or conceited , remember everything you have is from God.

God gives greater grace to the humble.

Instruction: Do not trust in uncertain riches (1Tim6:17; (Lk12:15-21)

I think it would be smart to stop and dig into a passage some.

A parable that our Lord uses.

Do not trust uncertain riches, that comes from greed, for our life is not made up of our possessions.

Look again at (v.21) Don’t store up riches for yourself for the one who does is not rich toward God.

I would be unfair to stop there, I have to give the rest of Jesus instructions.

then goes back to examples of ravens and the lilies and even Solomon (vv.24-28) then back to some instructions

Do not seek the temporal (things you eat, drink put on)

Seek His kingdom!

Instruction: Be rich in good works (1Tim6:18)

Timothy is instructed to instruct the rich to be rich in good works

To be generous and ready to share

Instruction: Store up a good foundation for eternal life (1Tim6:19)

A foundation not in the temporal, the things than can be eaten, rot away or rust, but fort he future, for that life which is life indeed, that is eternal life.

(Conclusion)

We have addressed the struggling

Don’t be envious, learn to be content

We have addressed the greedy

It will be a snare, that can cause you to stray from the faith and you to suffer many sorrows.

We have addressed the rich

You are blessed, don’t rest, trust in your riches, tap into eternal life which is by love, by cultivating generosity.

(Transition to invitation) (insert invitation slide riches of His grace)

Riches, there is still more riches to speak on today.

According to Eph1:7 (not on a slide, just quote it) - His grace

Or the riches of His mercy Eph2:4 (not on a slide, just quote it)

Or the riches of His glory Php4:19

True riches found in Christ Jesus (deliver invitation now)

(Song) (Prayer) (Exit)