Desiring God: Money, The Currency of a Christian Hedonist
1 Timothy 6:3-21
Friends, I am here today to tell you that money is not evil or bad. In fact, it can be quite good. Our attitude toward money and our actions in how we spend our money may.
The Scriptures teach that we should beware of getting rich (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
A) There are No-Uhauls behind Hearses (vv.6-7)
We will leave this world, the same way we entered it.
B) Simplicity is Possible and Good (verse 8)
1. When you have God near you and for you, you don’t need extra money or extra things to give you peace and security.
a. Read Hebrews 13:5-6
2. We can be content with simplicity because the deepest, most satisfying delights God gives us through creation are free gifts from nature and from loving relationships with people.
3. We should be content with the simple necessities of life because we could invest the extra we make for what really counts.
a. Missions/Offerings to the Lord!
b. $5.00 per week * 50 families (70 families in an old directory) = $ 250 per week; $1000 per month, $13,000 per year.
c. Can I be honest with you, Beth and I have been doing that since we voted in favor of relocation, and we have not missed that $5.00 each week. Let me remind, that this $5.00 is above our regular giving. I challenge you to that today.
C) The Pursuit of wealth will destroy your life (verses 9-10)
1. One of the enemies of Christian hedonism is greed.
--We take focus off of God and put it firmly on self.
2. Have you learned your attitude toward money from the Bible or from TV and the American culture?
D) Everything God give is for our enjoyment (17-19)
1. When we acknowledge God, we use money for His glory.
2. Remember the chief end of man is to give glory to God BY enjoying Him forever.
For further study on God’s view of money, see Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:32-34.
Application:
1—To those who desire to be rich, BEWARE—many grief’s are ahead. If you believe that money will satisfy you, you will be sorely disappointed.
2—To those who are rich, (which is most if not all of us), use your wealth to advance the cause of Christ. Secure heavenly treasure by demonstrating your allegiance to God and not the gifts He has given.
After the sermon, we handed out two dollar bills to everyone, adult and children. We gave them the money with the responsibility to multiply the two dollar bill within the next month for tsunami relief in
