What to do with what you have got

1st tim 6 v 17-19
Introduction Fisherman or pavement? Bible has plenty to say about money. It speaks about desiring it; it speaks to those who have it, and those who don’t. Wherever you are today, don’t stop listening; there is something for you here.
I. The relativity of riches (v 17a)
A. “Rich in terms of this present age”
1.We see riches in man’s terms
2.God sees riches in entirely different terms
B. This shows us that riches are always relative
1. To be really rich is always to have slightly more than we already have
2. But we are richer than almost anyone on earth
II. Warnings for the wealthy (v 17b): to each one of us
A Don’t be snobbish
1.Don’t be proud, or “highminded”- from two words, lofty and think
2.Beware of the “pride of the purse”
B Don’t be smug
1. “Don’t fix your hopes upon something as uncertain as
money
3. Don’t find security in what you have
III. Principles of prosperity (v 17-18)
A. Fix your hope upon God
1. A matter of focus- God should be that focus
2. God is the perfect point of focus
a. He gives all things
b. He gives us all things
c. He gives us all things richly
d. He gives us all things richly to be enjoyed (it is not wrong to have things as long as the focus is right)
B. Work at doing Good
1.enjoy doing good, not a burden
2. Same word is used of God in Acts 14:17
C. Be rich in noble actions
1. excel in things that are noble
2. Make a collection of noble actions, that which is honourable, do so many that people can’t tell which is the most honourable
D. Be quick to recognise need
1. This word contains the idea of awareness of the needs of others
2. The English word “generosity” fits in well
E. Be willing to give what you have
1. Be ready and willing to share what you have with others
2. This puts the focus where it belongs
IV. The intelligence of investment (v19)
A. Provision for the future
1. a treasure for the future
2. a good foundation, in contrast to the shaky foundations provided by riches
3. For the future, when we meet Jesus on this throne, sheep and goats….
B. Performance for the present
1.so grasp the life, which is life indeed- life in Christ,
eternal life, purpose filled life
3. The idea is that the person who learns how to handle riches is the only person who really understands what life is about
Conclusion
The underlying philosophy, OT saints showed their wealth by possession, NT saints by their giving, God esp in the NT shows interest in giving not in having. Until you learn to give you haven’t learnt what life is about. Never forget that it is “God who gives us all things to richly enjoy” Examples….. “how to catch a monkey”
May you…………..