November 11-12, 2006, 1 Tim. 6:17-19, Selected

PRICELESS!
STEWARDSHIP - Our Response to God!

*** 1 Tim. 6:17-19 "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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 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." [NIV]

THE RICH ARE NOT CONDEMNED OR DENOUNCED BUT ARE WARNED!
HOW TO HONOR GOD WITH THE PRICELESS GIFT OF GOOD STEWARDSHIP:

1. BY BEING HUMBLE!
*** 1 Tim. 6:17 "Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud..." [Today's English Version]

THE TEMPTATION IS TO THINK THAT IT IS MY MONEY!

*** Deut. 8:17-18 "When you become successful, don't say, "I'm rich, and I've earned it all myself." Instead, remember that the Lord your God gives you the strength to make a living."[CEV]

GOD IS THE OWNER AND I AM THE MANAGER!

*** 1 Cor. 4:7 "What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag?" [Contemporary English Version]

2. BY TRUSTING THE MASTER NOT MONEY!
*** 1 Tim. 6:17 "Command those who are rich in the things of this...to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God..."
*** Luke 12:21 "This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God." [CEV]
*** Proverbs 11:28 "Trust in your money and down you go!" [NLT]
*** Proverbs 18:10-11 "The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety."
*** Proverbs 23:5 "Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle." [TEV]
*** Matthew 6:19-20 "Don't store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves." [Living Bible]

3. BY ENJOYING OUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS!
*** 1 Tim. 6:17 "Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." [NLT]

THE SECRET FOR ENJOYING YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS: CONTENTMENT!

*** 1 Tim. 6:6-9 "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." [NIV]
*** Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have..." [NIV]

4. BY USING OUR GOD-GIVEN INCOME GOD'S WAY!
*** 1 Tim. 6:18-19 "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age..." [NIV]

THREE WAYS TO USE OUR GOD-GIVEN WEALTH GOD'S WAY!

A. INTENTIONAL! – "Command them to do good..."
*** Pr.27:23-24 "Be sure you know how your sheep are doing, and pay attention to the condition of your cattle, because wealth and honor don't last forever." [NCV]
*** Pr. 14:15 "Fools will believe anything, but the wise think about what they do."

Two Ways to be Intentional with our God-Given Income:
1. Budget! - Pr.21:5 "If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty..." [CEV]
2. Discipline! - Pr.13:18 "He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame..."

*** Proverbs 24:27 "Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." [NIV]

10 % GIVE! 10 % SAVE! 80 % LIVE ON!

B. RESOURCES! – "...be generous and willing to share..."
*** 2 Cor. 9:6-7 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." [NIV]

FOUR ATTITUDES IN SHARING OUR RESOURCES GOD'S WAY!
1. GENEROUSLY! – "whoever sows generously"
2. EXPECTANTLY! – "will also reap generously"
3. WILLINGLY! – "what he has decided in his heart to give"
4. JOYFULLY! – "God loves a cheerful giver"

C. SERVICE! – "...be rich in good deeds..."
*** Galatians 5:13 "...serve one another in love." [NIV]
*** Galatians 6:10 "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers."

GIVE 10% OF YOUR TIME TO GOD!

5. BY CHOOSING THE REAL THING!
*** 1 Tim. 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 that is truly life." [NIV]

"Use wisdom and understanding to establish your home; let good sense fill the rooms with priceless treasures." -- Proverbs 24:3-4 [CEV]

Median Household Income - $71.618
Median Home Price - $268,000
Using these Resources to Honor God -PRICELESS!