SUBDUING THE MATERIALIST MONSTER INSIDE US
1 Timothy 6:6-11 & 17-19
INTRODUCTION:
A. Oh how we love things!
1. The newest and brightest – I can’t wait!
a. The I-phone I got to have it.
b. The new I-pad coming out, it is a must.
c. Nintendo 3DS, Oh ya!
2. Not a techee, maybe it is name brand clothes
a. I won’t wear anything but American Eagle
b. If it is not Banana Republic forget it
c. Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein is necessary
3. Maybe it is just a want for something new
a. A new car, a new boat, new rifle
b. New dress by Prada, new hand bag by Gucci, new shoes by Gina or all three that match.
c. A new better paying job so you can get all that we just mentioned and more!
4. And if this were not bad enough, we want these things because they make us feel good about ourselves and we see that others think well of us because we have them.
5 This is materialism!
B. And though we live in a materialistic world that tells us if we have more we will be happier
1. Materialism is not new – Paul had to write to Timothy about it.
2. He spoke to Timothy about those who were wanting to be leaders in the church saying of some that they were, …men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Tim. 6:5
- Now I could mention a few in our day that have made the ministry all about how much money they can get and they use every trick in the book to get it but I will not because I want us to focus on ourselves this morning.
3. You see the truth is that many who claim the name of Christ, maybe even ourselves, are just as materialistic as those of the world.
4. This being the case how do we go about Subduing The Materialist Monster Inside Us?
5. Well, we can glean at least thee pieces of useful information out of our text:
a. Have The Right Attitude
b. Know the Underlying Agitation
c. Heed The Given Admonition
6. May God grant us an open mind to His word and a willing spirit to follow Him in truth.
PRAY
As we think about Subduing The Materialist Monster Inside Us we must first
I. HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE, 1 Tim. 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. In order for us to have the right attitude, God must speak to our hearts and He does so in three quick statements:
A. Lets first note a connection - But godliness with contentment is great gain. (v. 6)
1. Now I do not believe you can have godliness without contentment, but Paul was speaking to Timothy about a form of godliness – they were using their “religion” as a cover for gain.
- Paul continues this line of reasoning in 2 Tim. 3:5 speaking of those who have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
2. So what is the correlation of these two?
a. Godliness – a trust in the one and only God with a life that reveals that trust
b. Contentment – a satisfaction that comes with the knowledge that God has given us all that we have which allows us to concentrate on Him and His kingdom
c. Put these two together and we have a life that is truly of great gain!
B. Secondly, know the truth about stuff, including money: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (v. 7)
1. If anyone can attest to this statement it would be Solomon – he had it all – he was as materialistic as they come at one point in his life, yet
2. Listen to his testimony: As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. Eccl 5:15
3. We live for just a short time in this world and that which is material will not transfer to the next – take note of the Egyptian Pharaoh’s
C. Thirdly we can see the foundation of our contentment, And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (v. 8)
1. We are to be content with having food, clothing and shelter
2. The Greek word translated “raiment” in the KJV, clothing in most of the other versions, was a word that spoke of cover or protection and thus could also include shelter.
3. In other words we are to be content with our basic needs being met!
D. One last thought
1. If this were the case we would not be worried what others thought thus we would not find our worth based on what we have or don’t have.
2. Our worth would be founded in who we are in Christ thus establishing our godliness.
3. What is our attitude toward things, money and possessions?
With that in mind we need to
II. KNOW THE UNDERLYING AGITATION, 1 Tim. 6:9-11 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
A. We are given the central thought of this agitation in verse 10, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1. The phrase “love of money” means the continual love of money (and the things it can buy) and for such a person it is the root of all evils, because every decision is based upon the getting or loosing of it!
2. Friends, marriages, jobs, health, religion are all seen through lenses that are green.
3. Those who live this way err from the faith (not having time for it, or rather Him) and bring upon themselves many sorrows (pain and problems).
4. As an added note, this is why many cannot or will not tithe – there is no seen return on the money given so it is a bad investment, if it is seen as any type of invest at all.
B. The agitation of being rich is seen in verse 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1. But they that will be rich will…
2. We need to understand that though most of us don’t consider ourselves rich, by world standards we are!
a. All depending on who you listen to, the average annual personal income is between 5 & 8 thousand dollars.
b. The median is 2000.00
3. In other words, those who have more money are very susceptible to falling into to temptations, snares, foolish and hurtful lusts – to their own ruin.
C. Please know that money is not the problem, or even being rich, but the temptations we fall into because we have money.
1. So Paul thus tells Timothy, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2. Paul tells Timothy to flee from the love of money and the temptations that come because of it and follow (pursue) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness.
3. Both “flee” and “follow” are present tense imperatives which means the action must be taken repeatedly or habitually.
4. It is this constant rub between doing good and doing wrong that makes money an agitation.
So with the attitude and agitation looked at let us
III. HEED THE GIVEN ADMONITION, 1 Tim. 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
A. This admonition to those who have money plays out in a two fold manner
1. The first is negative in tone - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
a. Don’t live in a prideful manner
b. Don’t trust in your riches
2. The second is positive in tone – but in the living God
a. Trust in God who gives you what you have to enjoy
b. Be rich in good works
c. Give to those in need
3. You see folks God did not give us stewardship of what we have to just benefit ourselves, He gave it to benefit others
4. There is a verse in Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
B. Paul gives us the purpose for doing so: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6:19
1. You see trusting in God, doing good works and giving to those in need, lays up treasures that have eternal value
2. Thieves can’t steal them, a moth can’t eat them, and rust will not ruin them. (Matt 6:19-20)
3. And these become landmarks of our faith – that they (we) might lay hold to eternal life!
CONCLUSION: As I close let me say,
A. Everyone of us have monsters we have to deal with in life.
1. The monster of materialism is huge one for a lot of us.
2. It gets us in a choke hold and threatens to make us unconscious to the needs of others around us and the kills our spiritual lives.
3. But it need not do so.
B. Today we have looked at how to Subdue the Monster of Materialism Inside Us
1. Will we act on it and be victorious?
2. Or will we simply push it aside and fall to its power?
C. Remember Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Whom Will It Be?
