I. EXORDIUM:
Do rich people believed in GOD?
No. They think they are gods.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers/unbelievers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show that rich people are nothing in this world because they are like idols, they forgot GOD that provides all things for our enjoyment.
IV. TEXT:
1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud {and} arrogant {and} contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly {and} ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are my Provider of everything that I enjoy, and You are my Enjoyment. You are the Shepherd, sheep and the sheepfold.
HALLELUJAH!!
Jeremiah 50:7 All who found them devoured them; and their adversaries said, We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the Lord [and are no longer holy to Him], their true habitation of righteousness {and} justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.
VI. TITLE:
rich vs. GOD
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Contents: Work of the minister continued.
B. Characters: God, Christ, Paul, Timothy, Pilate.
C. Conclusion: The minister of Christ is to preach not only the general duties of all, but the duties of particular relations, that believers may live lives that will truly witness for Christ wherever they are. He is to endeavor after Godliness at all times himself, not making his ministry merely a trade, but a calling wherein he is content with what God allots him, fighting the fight of faith and looking for the coming of Christ, when he shall be abundantly rewarded.
D. Key Word: Man of God, 1Ti_6:11.
E. Strong Verses: 1Ti_6:6, 1Ti_6:7, 1Ti_6:10, 1Ti_6:12, 1Ti_6:20.
F. Striking Facts: 1Ti_6:16. Jesus Christ only as yet has triumphed over death. Immortality has to do with the body, not the soul. The believer will be given immortality at His coming, being given a body like unto His glorious body.
Taken from Summarized Bible
Hashtags: #rich #GOD #proud #Provider #enjoy #enjoyment
All bible quotations are taken from the (Amplified Bible).
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VIII. MAIN BODY:
1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud {and} arrogant {and} contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly {and} ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.
A. The rich in this world
"As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud {and} arrogant {and} contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches,"
1. Proud and arrogant
2. Contemptuous of others
3. Sets their hopes on uncertain riches
1. Proud and arrogant
a. Rich people in the bible who are believers in GOD:
(1) Abram who became Abraham - who was known for his faith
For example, Abram is very difficult to trust and hope in GOD because Abram was not only rich but was extremely rich in livestock, silver and gold. That's why GOD changed his name to Abraham to always remember GOD as his Provider not his extreme riches.
Genesis 13:2 Now Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold.
Genesis 17:5 Nor shall your name any longer be Abram [high, exalted father]; but your name shall be Abraham [father of a multitude], for I have made you the father of many nations.
Nehemiah 9:7 You are the Lord, the God Who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees and gave him the name Abraham.
(2) Job - who was known for his patience.
Job 1:1 THERE WAS a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained from {and} shunned evil [because it was wrong].
Job 1:2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
Job 1:3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great body of servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East.
Job believed GOD in spite of his riches, and was known for his patience. Since he has a lot of uncertain riches, when his riches are all gone, his response to it was WORSHIP.
Job 1:20 Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshipped
Job 1:21 And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother's womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.
(3) Joseph from Arimathea - who was known to be a secret disciple during his days.
Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.
Since Joseph from Arimathea already knew that whoever was the disciple of JESUS in those days will be killed as well, he hid himself, but when the time that he saw JESUS died, he returned his own property to GOD signifying worship to GOD.
(4) Zaccheus a tax collector - who was known for his being small in stature but big in faith
Luke 19:2 And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and [he was] rich.
Luke 19:3 And he was trying to see Jesus, which One He was, but he could not on account of the crowd, because he was small in stature.
Luke 19:4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass that way.
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.
Luke 19:6 So he hurried and came down, and he received {and} welcomed Him joyfully.
Luke 19:7 And when the people saw it, they all muttered among themselves {and} indignantly complained, He has gone in to be the guest of {and} lodge with a man who is devoted to sin {and} preeminently a sinner.
Luke 19:8 So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See, Lord, the half of my goods I [now] give [by way of restoration] to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I [now] restore four times as much.
Luke 19:9 And Jesus said to him, Today is [Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham;
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Zaccheus considered his wealth as a way to worship GOD, that's why he returned what he has stolen from the people by way of taxes and worshipped GOD starting that day, became a follower of JESUS.
All of these rich believers set aside or thrown away their proud and arrogance and turned to GOD for their salvation and considered the riches of heaven infinitely more than the riches of the earth.
Why GOD will make us rich and wanted us rich? To be blessed and a blessing forever. Pastor Timothy put it this way, for us to be ready to share with others. That's the purpose of our physical riches. That is for the firstfruits to be offered to GOD and the rest of it are sanctified for GOD's own use and not our use.
1 Timothy 6:18 [Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal {and} generous of heart, ready to share [with others],
1 Timothy 6:19 In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.
Psalms 21:6 For You make him to be blessed {and} a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.
Psalms 21:7 For the king trusts, relies on, {and} is confident in the Lord, and through the mercy {and} steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.
Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your capital {and} sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the first fruits of all your income;
Proverbs 3:10 So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.
2. Contemptuous of others
The word "highminded" came from the Greek word:"hupselophroneo" meaning to be lofty in mind, arrogant, high-minded. So being high minded or arrogant, you don't consider other people are your equal. Rich people consider themselves higher than other people.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit {and} empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than {and} superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
In fact, GOD wanted us to be humble, to consider others better than ourselves. Instead of being high-minder for yourself, be high-minded of others. Self-less, but for me, I would rather focus myself or fix my eyes (my whole attention) to JESUS and then JESUS will tell me who to pray and to help.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for {My} strength {and} power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) {and show themselves most effective} in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses {and} infirmities, that the strength {and} power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
2 Corinthians 12:10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased {and} take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities {and} distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
We glory in JESUS that is in us, and not glory to ourselves. Praise the LORD, bless the LORD and always thank the LORD JESUS for all the things you have right now came from the LORD and not from ourselves.
Deuteronomy 8:17 And beware lest you say in your [mind and] heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
a. Take a look at people contemptuous or high-minded:
(1) The Pharisee comparing himself with the tax collector
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before {and} with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men--extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers--or even like this tax collector here.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.
(2) The Jews comparing himself with the Gentiles
Romans 11:20 That is true. But they were broken (pruned) off because of their unbelief (their lack of real faith), and you are established through faith [because you do believe]. So do not become proud {and} conceited, but rather stand in awe {and} be reverently afraid.
Problems will arise if you compare yourself with other people, stop it. Compare yourself with JESUS.
1 Corinthians 11:1 PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate {and} follow Christ (the Messiah).
Set our standards high, compare ourselves with CHRIST, let CHRIST be our standard of morality on earth not mere men for we will fail. The Standard is CHRIST and not other men.
3. Sets their hopes on uncertain riches
a. Description of riches in the bible:
(1) riches are thorns - that choke from us GOD'S WORDS and it will stop us from being fruitful
Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure {and} delight {and} glamour {and} deceitfulness of riches choke {and} suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.
(2) riches are deceitful
Mark 4:19 Then the cares {and} anxieties of the world {and} distractions of the age, and the pleasure {and} delight {and} false glamour {and} deceitfulness of riches, and the craving {and} passionate desire for other things creep in and choke {and} suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
(3) riches are uncertain
Illustration: We have riches before but it was just blown away into smithereens with just one huge fire from a shellane gasoline, now I sold out all shellane we have and changed our cooking system into an induction cooker.
Riches are uncertain. See what riches are: they are consumed and destroyed by moth, rust and worm; they are stolen by thieves.
Matthew 6:19 Do not gather {and} heap up {and} store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust {and} worm consume {and} destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.
JESUS CHRIST is our Riches and Wealth even in this uncertain world. The LORD JESUS is also known in the bible as Pearl of Great Price. That when you come across the LORD JESUS, you will do everything that you can do, even spend or invest on it just to build your relationship with Him.
Matthew 13:46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.
In CHRIST JESUS, we can only rely, have confidence in, and hope in for we know He will never fail us nor forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong, courageous, {and} firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you {or} let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].
Joshua 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.
1 Chronicles 28:20 Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
Psalms 25:2 O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, {and} am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame {or} [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.
Psalms 25:3 Yes, let none who trust {and} wait hopefully {and} look for You be put to shame {or} be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right {or} deal treacherously without cause.
Unlike the rich people who are rich but can only take care of themselves or feed themselves in fact in GOD's eyes are poor people. GOD takes care of His people.
James 1:10 And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
James 1:11 For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither {and} die in the midst of his pursuits.
James 5:1 COME NOW, you rich [people], weep aloud and lament over the miseries (the woes) that are surely coming upon you.
James 5:2 Your abundant wealth has rotted {and} is ruined, and your [many] garments have become moth-eaten.
James 5:3 Your gold and silver are completely rusted through, and their rust will be testimony against you and it will devour your flesh as if it were fire. You have heaped together treasure for the last days.
James 5:4 [But] look! [Here are] the wages that you have withheld by fraud from the laborers who have reaped your fields, crying out [for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of hosts.
James 5:5 [Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence {and} self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
James 5:6 You have condemned and have murdered the righteous (innocent man), [while] he offers no resistance to you.
B. GOD
"but on God, Who richly {and} ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment."
1. Richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything
2. Provides for our enjoyment
Comparing the rich with GOD. There are some who commented that GOD is Someone seated on His throne that is very and infinitely rich doing His own thing, what He wants.
1. Richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything
We'll see that some of these are correct, yes, we have the Infinitely Rich GOD who sits on a throne, but He does only what pleases Him. And it pleases Him to prosper us and for us to approach Him in faith.
Psalms 50:10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, {and} the cattle upon a thousand hills {or} upon the mountains where thousands are.
Psalms 104:24 O Lord, how many {and} varied are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your riches {and} Your creatures.
Psalms 35:27 Let those who favor my righteous cause {and} have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please {and} be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly {and} diligently seek Him [out].
That's why He's our Provider and the Provided. GOD will always provide for us, even if we believe Him or not. Both the unbeliever and believer receives the same treatment from GOD, as long as we live, there's nothing different in the way He treats all of His creations. The only difference is when we die. If you are a believer, you will go to Heaven with the LORD; but sad to say, if you are an unbeliever of the LORD JESUS, you will go to hell.
Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all you [enemies of your own selves] who attempt to kindle your own fires [and work out your own plans of salvation], who surround {and} gird yourselves with momentary sparks, darts, {and} firebrands that you set aflame!--walk by the light of your self-made fire and of the sparks that you have kindled [for yourself, if you will]! But this shall you have from My hand: you shall lie down in grief {and} in torment.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
So stop making your own way to Heaven, that's not right, adhere to GOD's WORDS of Who is the Way to Heaven? That is the LORD JESUS only. The Way Himself is the LORD JESUS alone.
Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious {and} broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man {and} appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.
John 3:18 He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgement; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in {and} trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.]
Needless to say, others will say of good works, religion, and any other way. Sorry, there are no other ways. We don't do things here on earth our way, and then expects that all people will end up in one GOD because GOD created us all. No, it's a myth. What's the truth is! JESUS is the Truth, JESUS is the Way. He never said "a way" pertaining to many other ways to heaven, or a short cut. There's no short cuts either. This is the Way.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
Mark 8:34 And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].
Luke 9:23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].
GOD RICHLY AND CEASELESSLY PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING!
Psalms 104:28 When You give it to them, they gather it up; You open Your hand, and they are filled with good things.
Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
Acts 17:25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He lacked anything, for it is HE HIMSELF WHO GIVES LIFE AND BREATH AND ALL THINGS TO ALL [PEOPLE].
Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him--for this is his [allotted] part.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God [to him].
The word "richly" came from the Greek word:"plousios" meaning copiously, abundantly, richly.
Our seeking, aiming and striving FIRST for GOD'S KINGDOM and His Righteousness will not actually benefit GOD, because is not SERVED with human hands, as thoug He lacks something, but it is for our benefit. Because this is where we give GOD access to our lives to prosper us, to add things to our life. It took me a long while to understand that. But understanding that will allow us to receive from GOD without limit.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over {and} above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
2. Provides for our enjoyment
GOD will never provide us everything with strings attached. It is always for our own good that He thinks about and not Himself. As GOD, He can stand Alone needing no one, but as for us, as a man, without GOD we are nothing.
John 15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
Our enjoyment came from GOD on earth and also in Heaven. I don't need to watch a movie, attend concerts, watch a sport to enjoy but I enjoy GOD reading and meditating His WORDS. There are times in the middle of the night I will awake and read His WORDS, and meditate His WORDS, it's just like GOD wants to talk to me and tell me something ... great and mighty things which are fenced in {and} hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
Jer 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in {and} hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
Illustration: There's time in my work that I need to go on float with no work and no pay but when I look at my pay slip, the salary that I received floating with no work is higher than what I have received while at work.
It's really light, quick and easy when you follow JESUS in His footsteps of following GOD.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden {and} overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
It is true that all things are already in us, deposited in our spirit but we need to be abiding in GOD'S Presence to notice that.
2 Peter 1:3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by {and} to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace {and} favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
1 Corinthians 3:21 So let no one exult proudly concerning men [boasting of having this or that man as a leader], FOR ALL THINGS ARE YOURS,
Isaiah 48 : 17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel : I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way that you should go.
Isaiah 48 : 18 Oh, that you had hearkened to My commandments! Then your peace {and} prosperity would have been like a flowing river, and your righteousness [the holiness and purity of the nation] like the [abundant] waves of the sea.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
When GOD provides it is for the intention of our enjoyment.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always {and} under all circumstances {and} whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
Ps 21:6 For You make him to be blessed {and} a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.
Why does GODS bless us so much? Even if we are not deserving? It's because GOD wanted us to bless others as well, with every blessing we received from GOD.
Matthew 10:8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely (without pay) you have received, freely (without charge) give.
It is not GOD's intention to make us a vessel that will contain all His riches and we breed mosquito because it's not moving water in a vessel, but GOD intended us to be channels of blessings. Look at GOD's heart, it is to bless us so much so that He can bless others through us.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You are my Provider of everything that I enjoy, and You are my Enjoyment. You are the Shepherd, sheep and the sheepfold.
HALLELUJAH!!
