Christianity Confronts Culture: Success & Money
SUCCESS AND MONEY
(Part II of sermon series “Christianity Confronts Culture”)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROSPERITY, RECESSION, DEPRESSION (Illustration):
Prosperity – Annoyed because the dog and cat won’t eat the expensive canned food you buy for them
Recession – Delighted. Hope they remain finicky until things get better.
Depression - You begin to look thoughtfully at the dog and cat.
LINER SANK, 2 SURVIVORS (Illustration)
SCRIPTURE AND INTERPRETATIONYoung man, Middle-aged business man
Young man bemoaned his fate
Businessman confidently, even cheerfully removed a waterproof pack of cigars and lit up
“How can you sit there puffing and not worrying?”, asked the young man.
“Well, I’m a member of the Baptist Church. In 2004, I gave the church a quarter of a million dollars. I wrote a check for foreign missions for $70,000, and gave $50,000 to the pastor’s retirement fund.
“In 2005, business was even better, so I doubled all contributions.
“2006 turned out even better, so I wrote 3 checks for a million dollars each
“Well, it’s now 2007. And I’m quite sure there is a Baptist preacher and 7 deacons who are going to work full-time until they find me.!”
I TIMOTHY 6:6-12 (NASB)
(6) But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
(7) For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
(8) If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
(9) But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
(10) For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
(11) But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
(12) Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
6-8
Speaking a warning to those who pursue the faith because they believe it is a means to financial gain
Here is the definition of the highest attainment of life
It is to experience “contentment”
It is the Greek word translated “sufficiency” . It is a sufficiency in oneself independent of others.
Barnes tells us “it is a mind satisfied with its lot”
Have you reached that point in life?
Or…..do you wish you were the other guy?
Do not wish you had what the other guy has
Do not think that happiness/contentment is somewhere up ahead:
Next job
Next relationship
Next pay check
Next church
God’s intent is to place within you a deep-down rest:
Php 4:11With whom you are,
Where you are at,
What you have
(11) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
So, if you truly desire great gain in your life….then
Allow God to place within you a deep-down contentment
REAL POVERTY (Illustration)
“Used to go to KFC and lick other people’s fingers.”
“Garbage man would back up to his house and ask, pickup or delivery?”
“My sister got married just to get the rice.”
9-11
Not just a will to have money and possessions
But, a will to be rich at any cost, and with the greatest of haste
It is a singular focus
That makes secondary all other people, all other pursuits
It puts God into a secondary role in life
It is this wishing that is fatal to contentment
It is why so many wealthy and accomplished people have empty lives
Money is not the problem
It is the idolatry of money
We are not told to cast away riches, but not to trust them!
(I Timothy 6:17-18)
"Root of all kinds of evil"
Enduces a wandering from the faith
Enduces great pain of piercing
Heb 12:15
(15) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
When you love money…
You measure people by their money
You compare their money to your money
Others become a means of gain
You measure personal worth by your money
You project upon others, and they begin to measure your worth by your money (or lack thereof)
Root of bitterness digs and grows into your heart
Fall into temptation, v9
Wander from the faith, v10
_________________________
THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY (Illustration)
Once upon a time there was a proud man, named Carl, who loved to ride on his horse through his vast estate and pat himself on the back because of his enormous wealth. One day he came upon Hans, an old tenant farmer. He was sitting in the shade of a giant oak about to have his lunch. Hans' hands were folded and he was bowed in prayer. When Hans looked up he said "Oh excuse me sir. I didn't see you." "I was giving thanks for my food and my life".
"Humph!" snorted the rich man noticing the course brown bread and cheese that made up the old mans lunch. "If that were all I had to eat I don't think I would be giving thanks."
Replied Hans, "It is quite enough for me". "But sir, it’s remarkable that I meet you here this morning. I had a strange dream last night."
“And what did you dream?” asked the rich man, with an amused smile?
"There was beauty and peace all around, a yet I could hear a voice, saying “The richest man in the valley will die tonight."
"Ah dreams; cried Carl, nonsense." He turned and galloped away.
"Die tonight!" mused Carl. "It’s ridiculous!" No use going into a panic." The best thing he thought he could do was forget the old man's dream. He felt fine. Well now he was not so sure. Maybe he wasn't feeling all too well after all. He called his doctor. The doctor came over, and Carl described Han's dream, how the richest man in the valley will die this very night. "Sounds like nonsense to me replied the doctor." "But for your own peace of mind let me examine you."
After he was done the doctor was all smiles. "Carl you are as strong and healthy as that horse you ride." There is no way you are going to die tonight".
Just as the doctor was closing his bag, a messenger arrived at the door. "Doctor, doctor," he cried, "come quickly!, its old Hans, I think he died in his sleep!"
CONCLUSIONS & CONSIDERATIONS:
*Allow God to rescue you from a gain-seeking anxiety that breeds discontent
*Money is not the problem, but the idolatry of money.
*Who owns the money? - an important question
*Who owns you? - the most important question
*The deepest riches are held in the heart, not the hand. Like Hans, not Carl.
*You find them within, when God resides. Invite Him into your life.
