Ira Baptist Church
September 20

      • 1 Timothy 6:15-16NIV2011

  • Crown Him
  • The Lord Almighty Reigns

      • Psalms 145:14-17NIV2011

      • Psalms 145:18-21NIV2011

  • How Great is the Greatness
  • Text

    “Unless the Lord is in the wealth, they labor in vain who build it.” May we know that life is not in the possessions we hold, but in the one who holds us.

    What does it mean to be rich?
    An abundance of earthly possessions/resources that excel normal experience.
    Resources enough that your assets sustain your life even without income.
    As a benchmark, a survey this past year says that the average net worth where people “feel” rich is 2.3 million.
    In more strict terms, more than you need. The ability to control your resources as you see fit.
    Earning 60,000 per year places you in the top 1% of world earners.
    Car ownership - 92% of households in the US, 10% of households in the world.
    Discretionary spending - buying non-essential items without planning or needing to check a bank balance.
    The opposite
    Consumer debt at an all-time high, 104,000 per household average.
    12.9% of all credit card balances are in serious delinquency, 90 or more days past due.

    1. What Not To Do

    1 Timothy 6:17 ESV
    As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
    Don’t Be Prideful
    A heightened understanding of your own position or situation.
    A high self-worth or self-opinion
    In this case, based on wealth.
    In other words, the scripture here allows for a position where one achieves or possesses notable wealth without that itself being wrong or a problem.
    Inheritance/generational wealth
    Investment
    Promotion/income well exceeds need
    The problem here is not the source or the wealth, it is the attitude surrounding it.
    Don’t Be Presumptuous
    The uncertainty of riches
    Bitcoin disaster
    James Howells, 8000 bitcoin thrown away by accident. Worth 647 million today
    Stefan Thomas, forgot password to BTC drive - has used 8/10 attempts before device erases itself. Worthy 540 million.
    The 2008 Financial crisis.
    Bernie Madoff
    Luke 12:16–18 ESV
    And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
    Luke 12:19–21 ESV
    And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

    2. What To Do

    1 Timothy 6:18 ESV
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
    The first discussion of riches had to do with desiring to be rich, or the love of money.
    It had to do with value, what we treasure.
    This discussion has not so much to do with the desire but the responsibility. What do we do with our resources.
    Use of resources can be an indicator of where one’s heart is.
    Be Proactive
    do good, be rich in good works
    Be Philanthropic
    Be generous, ready to share
    Proverbs 21:20 ESV
    Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
    Proverbs 6:6–8 ESV
    Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
    Use of “rich”
    Normally derogative in that day
    Positive in two ways
    God who richly blesses
    rich in good works
    1 Timothy 6:19 ESV
    thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
    In the same way, living in light of the resurrection.
    Transforms riches from something to be foolishly trusted in, to a resource to be righteously managed for God’s good purposes.
    Storing up treasure - from Jesus’ words.
    Matthew 6:19–21 ESV
    “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
    If it is a matter of the heart...
    With whatever resources you have...
    Keep your commitments
    Care for those who depend on you
    Plan and prepare wisely
    Live above reproach
    if you had to share...
    Make goals and plans for doing good
    Live with an open hand - God who blesses and God who makes use of the blessing

    3. Guarding the Deposit

      • 1 Timothy 6:17NIV2011

      • Luke 12:16–18NIV2011

      • Luke 12:19–21NIV2011

      • 1 Timothy 6:18NIV2011

      • Proverbs 21:20NIV2011

      • Proverbs 6:6–8NIV2011

      • 1 Timothy 6:19NIV2011

      • Matthew 6:19–21NIV2011

  • How Great Thou Art

      • Jude 1:24-25NIV2011

Ira Baptist Church
1 member