In the wake of many natural calamities in many parts of the world, the world needs generous people more than ever. We are on our 4th week of bushfire appeal, and thank you so much for your generosity and willingness to help. We have heard pledges of financial support around the world to the bushfire-stricken areas. But the actual dollars are coming in at a turtle-pace. Our donation is thru to the RFS after we do our last next Sunday. Thank you, Church, for your giving! Let’s read/pray:
1 Ti 6:5–11 – Some people exploit godliness (godly life; piety, religion, good deeds) and make a means of gain/profit/wealth. From such withdraw yourself. 6) Now godliness (godly life; piety, religion, good deeds) with contentment is great gain. 7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8) And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:17-19 – 17) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18) Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19) storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
In this House, we are not preachers of a gospel that says being poor is God’s desire for you. Nor preach a prosperity gospel rooted in greed. We don’t preach and teach the Word of God nor use the Holy Word as a means to financial gain. In v5, the Apostle pointed out that some preachers and prophets used the Word of God in their self-concocted "quick-get-rich" scheme. They used the Word of God as a platform to fill their pockets with money. Paul called them false prophets/preachers! And told Timothy to stay away from them.
In this house, we preach the Good News that God can bless you in your poverty and your riches. God is God and that His Word for you is final, whether you are in a lousy season or good season of your life! And because of the consistency and reliability of God, I encourage you to stick with Him even when He seems absent. The Spirit of God is ever-present regardless of time and space!
We acknowledge that poverty and wealth are both economic realities of life. 1 Sam. 2:7, "The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles, and he exalts." God made Abraham wealthy (Gen. 13:1-14). God made Isaac wealthy (Gen. 26:12-14). God made Joseph wealthy (Gen. 39:2-5). Same with Job (Job 42:12). But, likewise, God was with Job in his poverty and ill health.
Being content is critical to experiencing joy in life. It is key to a happy life! Contentment is satisfaction with what one has. But it is not something that you were born with. It is something you learn and develop. While money is necessary for human survival, we do not live by bread alone. We brought nothing into this world; we can't take anything from this world. When it comes to true riches, having the right perspective is crucial.
In Phil. 4:10-20, the Bible teaches that key to contentment or being content is:
1. not found in what you have but in who you have. Ultimate joy and satisfaction are rooted in our relationship with Christ. In Phil. 4:13, the Apostle Paul noted, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” From this confession of the Apostle, let us continue our journey to discover that “true sufficiency is a sufficiency in Jesus.”
2. accepting you have all you need right where you are.
3. standing in faith that God will take care of everything you need.
This morning, let's examine Godly contentment, which is far beyond just being content. A brief background of the text might be helpful. Paul’s letter indicates that it is for everyone. You'll find both the wealthy and those aspiring to be rich in the Church. Around AD 63 to 65, Ephesus was one of the wealthiest cities in the Roman Empire, and, so, a teaching on being content and having godly contentment was very much needed.
v5-11 - the apostle’s instruction to Timothy how to shepherd and teach members of the Church who aspire to get rich. Vs. 17-19 is what to teach the wealthy members of the Church. In 6:5-6), Paul emphasized the powerful combination of godliness with contentment, and, how godliness devoid of contentment is destructive. In v9, Paul identifies the four dangers of progressive pitfalls that wealth-seekers should avoid:
1. temptation – wealth per se is not bad at all, but it is the unhealthy pursuit of wealth that leads to temptations and sin. Like a fish drawn to bait and is hooked, an unhealthy desire to get rich causes people to covet the wrong things. Once hooked, it leads to bigger problems. Judas Iscariot was hooked with an unhealthy obsession for monies way before the temptation to betray Jesus came knocking at his door. He was hooked! As the treasurer of Jesus’ ministry, John 12:6 says, he was already stealing from the offering that people give to the ministry. Like Judas, those who go after wealth is blind to the hook. They are trapped without knowing!
2. Trapped - like a wild animal caught in a huge net, and unable to escape. The “desires” that trap them are probably more materialistic than sexual or prestige. Entrapment with worldly pursuits can lead to a dangerous obsession which can lead to
3. Ruin and destruction –the trapped drown and plunges into an ocean of destruction." You have probably seen these things happen to people you know.
Worldly riches devoid of godly contentment bring worldly sorrow. Unhealthy limits bring unhealthy outcomes; when it is more, more? And when is more enough? Ecc. 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This, too, is meaningless." Kingdom riches bring eternal rewards. Instead of pursuing worldly wealth, we should focus on pursuing godly qualities. Timothy is to instruct the rich people in their Church to invest in the things of the Spirit, like righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
He is to teach them to:
a) To be respectful and not arrogant – which is likely attitude and behavior by people who have material wealth.
b) Remind them: Who the source of their wealth; not … set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth – but on God and his provision. Heb. 13:5 “Keep your lives from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
6:18 -19 - Godly contentment enables the wealthy to use their riches wisely. Paul named at least 4:
a) “To do good” involves using wealth in a positive way. Wealth may not be the same for everyone. As for Mang Rodolfo, true riches is in the heart.
b) “To be rich in good deeds” – and there are many ways that rich can be truly rich, in the doing of good deeds. Wealthy individuals can abuse their position, be arrogant, or take advantage of the less privileged. To be rich in good deeds is to pay the right amount of money to your house-helped, to treat people with less money equally the same way you treat and respect those who have wealthy bank accounts.
c) “To be ready to give” demands a liberal sharing of wealth with others. You can have as little or next to nothing like Mang Rodolfo and still be ready to give to others who are in need. Matthew 19:21, " Jesus said, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me."
d) “To be willing to share” One who is “willing to share” shows that the generous act of giving is to spring from internal generosity. As a church, we have needs. However, we focus not on the needs but on what we have! Last week, out of our need, we sent relief to the evacuees of Taal Volcano in partnership with some reps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in Manila. Please take a look at this 2 min clip.
Paul was not advocating that the giver could earn salvation or favors from God. But, good works are substantial evidence of our salvation and assure us that we have eternal life. Matt 6:19–21. Godliness with contentment brings tangible and intangible rewards. Not necessarily financial gain, but non-material such peace, faith, and security now and to eternity. This becomes experiential and special to us when we follow the direction of the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with Jesus even in an ugly situation. Let us not focus on what we do not have. Let us focus on what we have, even if that’s the only thing we’ve left. Let us use and work on what we have left, so we can continue to bless others in our time of need.
Beloved, I found this illustration of Jesus a perfect example of what godly contentment should look like. I urge that you and I follow this. In Mark 12:41-44. “41) Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42) But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43) Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44) They all gave out of their wealth; but, she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”
Brothers and sisters, should we live our lives with godly contentment? Please, the ONE AND ONLY AUDIENCE who matters in this world and to eternity.
