Command For The Rich

I. EXORDIUM:

GOD has a command for us, because we are rich in Him.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To enumerate the commands for us, namely: (1) no arrogance, (2) no false trusts, and (3) hope only in GOD.

IV. TEXT:

1 Timothy 6:17 (Amplified Bible)

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:

To enumerate the commands for us, namely: (1) no arrogance, (2) no false trusts, and (3) hope only in GOD.

VI. TITLE:

Command for the rich

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: About 64 A.D., but uncertain

C. To whom written: Timothy, Paul's true son in the faith

1 Timothy 1:2 (New International Version)

To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

D. Main themes: Advice and exhortation to a young pastor respecting his personal conduct and ministerial work

E. Keyword: conduct

F. Key verse:

1 Timothy 3:15 (New International Version)

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. No arrogance

"As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others,"

Arrogance means:

The act or quality of taking much upon one's self; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; conceitedness; presumption.

1. Love kindness, mercy, humility and walk in humility with our GOD

Micah 6:8 (Amplified Bible)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

2. Always seek the lowest place.

Luke 14:10 (Amplified Bible)

But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when your host comes in, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher! Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit [at table] with you.

3. Become a leader by serving.

Luke 22:26 (Amplified Bible)

But this is not to be so with you; on the contrary, let him who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who is the chief and leader like one who serves.

4. Consider others better than you

Philippians 2:3 (Amplified Bible)

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].

B. No false trusts

"nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches,"

Rich people without GOD are known to have relationship with their money not on everyone else, they don't trust anyone but only themselves. Hollywood people are like this, with their money, they can court a girl, propose a marriage, be married and divorced all in a single day. Where's the relationship in that? Nothing. They treat even their partner a non-living thing but as long as they can keep their money, they don't even bother with conjugal property, though GOD hates divorce.

True trusts hope and trusts GOD not oneself or other non-living things.

Psalms 37:5 (Amplified Bible)

Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5 (Amplified Bible)

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Isaiah 26:4 (Amplified Bible)

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

Wealth or riches in this world are uncertain. In fact, everything's uncertain except GOD.

1 Timothy 6:17 (Amplified Bible)

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.

C. Hope only in GOD

"but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment."