A Charge to the Rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

Outline: A Charge to the Rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19): 

1. The dangers that come with being rich (v.17a)
2. The responsibilities that come with being rich (vv.17b-18)
3. The eternal perspective that defines what it means to be truly rich (v.19)

Summary:  We have learned about how contentment is cultivated when we humbly agree with God about what our real needs actually are, about the temporary and fleeting nature of money and possessions, and about the genuine gain that comes from living a godly life protected and purified by contentment (6:6-8).  But one thing is painfully obvious (especially in on our intensely materialistic culture): contentment will not be attained without a fight.  Therefore, Christians must engage in a life-long fight for contentment, a fight which calls for both offensive and defensive strategies (6:11-12).  And where shall we find such strategies? We find them in the very next passage, that is, in the charge to the rich in 6:17-19.  Here we are given an eternal perspective defining what it means to be truly rich.  This perspective warns us of the dangers and inspires us with the responsibilities that come with being rich. When the dangers are heeded and the responsibilities embraced, we are those who find real gain and a firm grip on what is truly life.

Main Point: Rich Christians must set their hope on God by imitating God's generosity.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the relationship between contentment (6:6-8), the fight of faith (6:11-12) and the charge to the rich (6:17-19)?
• What dangers come with being rich (v.17)? Why must we be on guard against such dangers?
• God is described as one "who richly provides us everything to enjoy."  What does this say about God?  How should this fact about God shape how we use our wealth?  
• Practically speaking, what might it look like to be ready to share?
• If rich Christians are not imitating God's generosity, what does that say about their hope?
• How does v.19 give us an eternal perspective on what it means to be truly rich? How should that perspective shape how we heed the dangers and embrace the responsibilities that come with being wealthy Christians?

Application Questions:

• How am I practically imitating God's generosity in the use of my wealth?
• What practical steps can I take to be more ready to share generously with others?

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the greatest display of His generosity--the gift of His own dear Son
• Praise Jesus for making an eternal investment by shedding His blood for us
• Ask God to help us flee the dangers of pride and false security that come with being rich 
• Ask God to help us imitate His generosity by being rich in good works and ready to share our wealth for the good of others

Christian Simplicity: Part 1 (Matt. 6:19-21)

Outline: Matthew 6:19-21

Two treasures:

1. Treasures on earth (v.19)
2. Treasures in heaven (v.20)
3. Treasure principle (v.21)

Summary: 

We have seen that Jesus came to bring about radical obedience in His followers (Matt. 5:1-48, esp. vv.19-20, 48), an obedience that is to be fueled by pure motives (Matt. 6:1-18, esp. vv.1,3-4, 6, 9-10, 17-18).  Now in Matt. 6:19-24, Jesus fuses radical obedience and pure motives together in order to call His followers to a life of simplicity, that is, a life of single-minded devotion to God.  In order to make His point, Jesus utilizes three couplets: two treasures, two visions, two masters.  In this sermon we considered the two treasures, where Jesus teaches us not to store up material treasures on earth but rather to store up spiritual treasures in heaven because He wants to ensure that our hearts are in a safe place.  

Discussion Questions:

• What are earthly treasures and why does Jesus command us not to store them up?
• What is Jesus not prohibiting in v.19?
• How does Jesus' parable in Luke 12:16-21 illustrate this command?
• What are spiritual treasures and why does Jesus command us to store them up?
• Describe the treasure principle of v.21 in your own words.
• How is this a call to a life of simplicity, a life of single-minded devotion to God?
• Are these commands loving or unloving?  Explain.
• Reflect on this statement: "Jesus is the best financial advisor in the universe."
• How might a material treasure become a means of storing up spiritual treasure?
• What are some practical ways we might learn to be rich toward God?

Application Questions:

• Honestly, am I being rich toward myself or rich toward God?
• What material things am I most prone to hoard? What changes is God calling me to make?
• How might I cultivate both short and long-term generosity?
• How might I cultivate simplicity (learn contentment, detach from stuff, cap expenses, and grow in the ability to discern how to best use God's money)?
• How can I simultaneously attack debt and cultivate generosity?
• Think trajectory: how can I grow in generosity each year as I get closer and closer to seeing my Lord Jesus face-to-face?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you have been rich toward yourself and stingy toward God
• Praise Jesus for becoming poor and dying on a cross so that you might become rich toward God and inherit eternity!
• Ask God to help you to, by the power of the Holy Spirit, break any sinful habits of hoarding material possessions and to help you learn to store up spiritual treasures in heaven.