Joy From Proper Understanding Of Money Christian Joy Seekers Joy From Proper Understanding Of Money

Money: Good Or Evil? Too much money you’re filthy rich. Too little you’re dirt poor. Spend too much you’re a spendthrift. Save too much you’re a miser. Work hard to earn it you’re a workaholic. Relax and don’t worry about it and you’re a bum.

Scripture Says Much About Money I Timothy 6:9-10 – “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. 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.”

If money is what you want… Easy to fall into temptation Easy to have foolish desires Can be plunged into ruin and destruction. Love of money is a root (not THE root) of all sorts of evil Love of money can result in completely losing one’s faith and heaping grief on top of grief.

Yet Money Itself Is Not The Enemy 1 Timothy 6:17-19 -- Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

What Was The Problem At Ephesus? 1 Timothy 6:5 – “…constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” Meaning: Some folks saw Christianity only as a means to gaining great wealth. Do we have anyone like that today?

Peddlers Of “Godliness” Some really do try and make a killing off of “godliness” Televangelists Manufacturers of religion based jewelry. Booksellers, video makers, singers, songwriters, etc.

Hearts, Not Money, Are At Fault 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

How Does Godliness Bring Gain? Godliness frees us from the desire for earthly wealth which leads to ruin. Godliness removes unhealthy cravings which bind us to this world. Godliness desires spiritual wealth and is therefore content with whatever God supplies. Recognizes that it is God who does supply.

Reasons NOT To Desire Riches 1 Timothy 6:7-10 You can’t take it with you when you’re gone You can’t eat it or wear it, but God provides us with things to eat and wear. It has the potential to become an idol and demand worship, dragging our hearts away from God.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”

What If I Become Rich? Matthew 6:19-21 --“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Luke 12:33-34 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Don’t Let Riches Own Your Heart And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Liberality Brings Joy Luke 3:11 – “And [John] would answer and say to them, ‘The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.’” Ephesians 4:28 – “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor…so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

Pure Religion James 1:27 -- Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Joy comes when we use what we have to help others.