Being God’s Investment Manager Text: I Timothy 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.
Introduction: In comparison with third world countries, every person in this room is wealthy! Paul tells Timothy to command every wealthy person to be good stewards, and what they share with others becomes an investment bringing eternal dividends! In Paul’s final charge to Timothy, Paul likens the gospel to a treasure committed to his trust; moreover, this is a summation of the entire epistle!
I. A.W. Tozer said: As base a thing as money often is, it yet can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor; it can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality!
A. Listen to Jeremiah 9: 23-24 Thus says the LORD: “ Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
B. The only true reality is to understand and know God! Paul tells Timothy not to trust in uncertain riches! Trust here means: to expect or hope to bring security or deliverance! Vs. 17 say’s to trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
C. The average American shops 6 hours a week while spending 40 minutes playing with his children. By age 20, we’ve seen one million commercials. Recently, more Americans declared bankruptcy than graduated from college. In 90% of divorce cases, arguments about money play a prominent role.
D. I Timothy 6: 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. (Many times we give with strings attached!)
E. Listen to what Solomon said about life: Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit has the owners except to see them with their eyes? 12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. 13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune; when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.
F. Think about that, Solomon’s money never ran out. He tried everything, saying, “ I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure!”
G. Solomon’s conclusion? “When I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, every thing was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun!
H. I Timothy 6: 19 Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Paul say’s, that being generous and willing to share and being rich in good deeds allows us to take hold of the life that is truly life!
I. The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it!” W.H. Vanderbilt “ I am the most miserable man on the earth.” John Jacob Astor “ I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” John D. Rockefeller “ I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” Henry Ford
J. Back up a few verses from the text and listen to Paul’s instruction for life! I Timothy 6: 6-8, 10 Now godliness 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. 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.
K. Four truths of why we exist to give: 1. Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda. 2. Giving affirms Christ’s Lordship. 3. Giving dethrones me and exalts Him. 4. Giving breaks the chains of mammon that would enslave me.
