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Final Words: Be Rich in Grace • 1 Timothy 6:17 – 21 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all. • “Religion begat prosperity and the daughter devoured the mother” Puritan Cotton Mather.
1. Check your Attitude • 6:17a “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant...” • Arrogance is a composite of two Greek words meaning “to think” and “exalted thoughts”. • “Arrogance is self-conscious pride, and haughtiness is its telltale sign” Kent Hughes • 1 Peter 5:5b-7“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
2. Check your Hope • 6:17b “...nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” • 6:6-10 “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
The only thing certain about material riches is they will pass away. • Wealth does not satisfy. • Reality is that today’s gains are tomorrow’s losses.
3. Check your Generosity • 6:18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” • “Willing to share” comes from the Greek word “Koinonia”’ meaning “fellowship”. • “A kind heart as well as a generous hand is demanded of the rich”. John Stott
4. Check your Incentive • 6:19 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life thatis truly life.” • Matt. 6:19, 20 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Luke 18:22 22 “When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” • 5. Guard the Truth of the Gospel • 6:20 “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge...”
6. Guard against Distractions • 6:20b, 21 “Turn from Godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.” • 7. Embrace Grace • 6:21b “Grace be with you all.” • Grace = undeserved favour.
