How To Handle Riches Part Two

Proverbs 23.4-5

Saying 8

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

    do not trust your own cleverness.

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

    for they will surely sprout wings

    and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Jesus had a lot to say about money and riches in the Gospels and Revelation as does Solomon in Proverbs.

The main difference was that Jesus, God's Son, was a penniless Prophet and Solomon was the wealthiest man on earth.

Jesus lived out a life of poverty. It was not forced on Him. He chose it. I have often said when we get to heaven and see what He left to come down to this earth we will be amazed and grow immediately in our appreciation and admiration of Him Who gave up His life for us! It will be part of us knowing as we are known.

For you know the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.  II Corinthians 8.9

It is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, Jesus said.

Riches make a person proud. They have many struggles along these lines. They have a tendency to look down on the poor. They build bigger houses. If you doubt what I am saying whenkk we run into a person who is rich yet pretends to be poor we are impressed. "With all that wealth they are very humble." It is an unusual thing. A rare thing to find a rich person who is humble. That is one of the reasons Jesus said that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because you have to humble yourself to enter. It is hard for a rich person to forgive because of pride. Jesus said we have to become like little children to enter. My daughter told me about my oldest grandson and a friend. He ran up to him recently and said, "I'm sorry about last year, Tristan." My grandson said, "That's alright." The kid ran off and my daughter asked him what happened. Tristan said, "I don't remember." He understands what forgiveness is. We must become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven! Humble, forgiving, loving, trusting in God.

Jesus said that it easier  for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. So many rich people trust in their riches. They think they get things from their riches that only God can give.

You have to wonder the thoughts of those who wanted "In God We Trust" on our coins and currency. It first appeared on coins in 1864. It is a reminder of what Paul said about riches- they are so uncertain, what Solomon said about them quickly flying away.

Paul gave Timothy strong words concerning those who are rich which go right along with these words in Proverbs.

I Timothy 6.17 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.

1. The Pathway To Becoming Rich- v.4

Wear yourself out

Become weary from labor and toil to get rich.

Trust your own cleverness

Don't trust your own observations!

Line it up with God's Word! Go into His sanctuary.

Psalm 73.2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

    I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant

    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;

    their bodies are healthy and strong.

5 They are free from common human burdens;

    they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;

    they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity;

    their evil imaginations have no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;

    with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

    and their tongues take possession of the earth.

There are those God makes rich!

Abraham was one of those.

It is God's intent for those He has made rich to be faithful.

Most of us need to pray this prayer from Proverbs 30.7-9

“Two things I ask of You, LORD;

    do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

    give me neither poverty nor riches,

    but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

    and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

    and so dishonor the name of my God.

Sometimes God makes a person rich on this earth in things of this world:

Proverbs 10.22 The blessings of the LORD makes one rich and He adds no sorrow to it.

Try to get rich quick, buy into to schemes, set your heart on money and you will be filled with all kinds of pain and sorrow and regret.

We all can become spiritually rich.

Some, like Abraham, God sees He can trust with wealth and He blesses them.

I Timothy 6.17 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.

If you are rich:

*Do not be haughty.

*Do not trust in your riches 

*Trust in God

*Do good

*Be rich in good works

*Be ready to give (Keep some cash on you for that purpose)

*Be willing to share

The blessings-

Store up treasure in heaven 

to put away, lay by in store, to treasure away

to store up abundance for future use

Laying hold of eternal life.

Abraham was richly blessed monetarily. 

2. Cast But A Glance At Riches

A Glance= fly away, light upon with your eyes.

Let your eyes fly around and light upon riches for they will soon fly away from you.

Think about the way we save money (and there is nothing wrong with that, in fact we are encouraged to save) but to pull our bank statement out, to mull over in our mind out savings balance is not good for our souls. It is bad to look at those who are rich because the riches can get our attention. Then  we see that these people have no place for God in their lives and we begin to question our own commitment to Christ. It is a slippery slope.

[holding up a FedEx package to the Russian employees]

Chuck Noland: You all recognize this, don’t you? I took the liberty of sending this to myself. I FedExed it before I left Memphis. I wonder what could be in here? What could it possibly be? Is it architectural plans? Maybe technical drawings? Is this a new wallpaper for the…for the bathroom.

[takes a digital clock out of the package] 

Chuck Noland: It is a clock, which I started at absolute zero and it’s now at eighty seven hours, twenty two minutes and seventeen seconds. From Memphis, America to Nikolia in Russia eighty seven hours. Eight seven hours is a shameful outrage. This is just an egg timer! What if it had been something else, like your paycheck, or poison berries, or adoption papers? 

Eight seven hours is an eternity, the cosmos was created in less time. Wars have been fought and nations toppled in eighty seven hours! Fortune made and squandered.

Yes that quick!

Proverbs 27.23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

    give careful attention to your herds;

24 for riches do not endure forever,

    and a crown is not secure for all generations.

25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears

    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,

    and the goats with the price of a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family

    and to nourish your female servants.

May God give you insight into these words and may you apply them to your heart today!

The Bible says, "If riches increase... " Now it says, "Labor not." Don't let that be a goal of life. But, "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them" (Psalm 62:10). God may see fit to increase riches. Just don't let your heart get set on them.

Our attachment to the things of this earth ought to be diminishing as we grow in the Word of God and mature and as we get closer to heaven.

3. The Truth About Riches

They are gone quickly, very quickly.

They will sprout wings.

They will fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Jesus' words about Solomon's wealth: 

Matthew 6.28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

False Things About Riches:

Interesting how the Truth exposes the false, not so with the false it blinds you! The Truth sets you free to see the false. The false does not let you see the truth! Obviously God does not want everyone to be rich. Rich people will come t Christ but it is hard and many will not.

* Riches will bring happiness. 

* Riches will set you free.

* Riches will bring you to enjoy life.

* Riches will make life stress free.

* Riches will make others jealous.

* Riches will get you good friends, cool people.

* Riches will endure.

A further truth...

We are in this world.

In this world, in comparison, to many nations, we are rich. Conversation recently with B&N Guys.

We are rich compared with the rest of the world!

As citizens of this world we need to realize our standing.

Don't seek to become rich.

If you have some wealth it will soon disappear.

Trust in the LORD.

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Give generously and cheerfully.

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How To Handle Riches Part One

How To Handle Riches

Proverbs 23.4-5

Jesus had a lot to say about money and riches in the Gospels and Revelation as does Solomon in Proverbs.

The main difference was that Jesus, God's Son, was a penniless Prophet and Solomon was the wealthiest man on earth.

Jesus lived out a life of poverty. It was not forced on Him. He chose it. I have often said when we get to heaven and see what He left to come down to this earth we will be amazed and grow immediately in our appreciation and admiration of Him Who gave up His life for us! It will be part of us knowing as we are known.

For you know the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.  II Corinthians 8.9

It is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, Jesus said.

Riches make a person proud. They have many struggles along these lines. They have a tendency to look down on the poor. They build bigger houses. If you doubt what I am saying when we run into a person who is rich yet pretends to be poor we are impressed. "With all that wealth they are very humble." It is an unusual thing. A rare thing to find a rich person who is humble. That is one of the reasons Jesus said that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because you have to humble yourself to enter. It is hard for a rich person to forgive because of pride. Jesus said we have to become like little children to enter. My daughter told me about my oldest grandson and a friend. He ran up to him recently and said, "I'm sorry about last year, Tristan." My grandson said, "That's alright." The kid ran off and my daughter asked him what happened. Tristan said, "I don't remember." He understands what forgiveness is. We must become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven! Humble, forgiving, loving, trusting in God.

Jesus said that it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. So many rich people trust in their riches. They think they get things from their riches that only God can give.

You have to wonder the thoughts of those who wanted "In God We Trust" on our coins and currency. It first appeared on coins in 1864. It is a reminder of what Paul said about riches- they are so uncertain, what Solomon said about them quickly flying away.

Paul gave Timothy strong words concerning those who are rich which go right along with these words in Proverbs.

I Timothy 6.17 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

The Good Fight of the Faith

The Good Fight of the Faith

Proverbs 21.30-31

There is no wisdom, no insight that can succeed against the LORD.  The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

Victory for the believer is both now and at the end of life.

Paul wrote to Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4.7

Some scholars believe he wrote this  on the eve of his death by the sword.

I am sure John saw Paul among the number when he wrote about 25-30 years later in Revelation 6.9 "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the Word of God and the testimony they had maintained." As well as the 150,00 who die each year in the world. I am sure he saw the Coptic Christians who died this spring, and the many beheaded by ISIS and the Syrian Christians in that mass of refugees that are fleeing the war in their country.

Jesus knew the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to His Father. John 13.1 

Later that evening  as He looked toward Heaven He pray: Father the hour has come. I have given You glory on earth but finishing the work You gave Me to do.

I am coming to You now.

Peter wrote to the church in his second epistle, "I think it is right to refresh your memory  as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our LORD Jesus Christ has made clear to me." 

II Peter 1.13-14

We are in a life and death battle today, literally.

Jude wrote, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." v.3

I am feeling that way today. We are seeing a departure from the faith today.

We were told this would happen. I Timothy 4.1 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

This message is about the spiritual battle we are in, the good fight of the faith.

We are urged by Paul the Apostle, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6.9

He is talking about living by the Spirit. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Each soldier was responsible for his own shield and sword, much like today each soldier is responsible for his own gun. Swords were to be kept sharp and clean for their optimum use. The Word make us clean, it builds us up, it gives us a weapon to fight the enemy of our souls with. We need the Word!!! Each day. Satan tries to distract you with things. If he cannot get you to do evil he will get you distracted with good things to keep you from the Word. What?! Are you serious, Pastor? Read Israel's history. They are an example for us! Good land, many blessings, peace and they were warned to be careful not to forget God. (I Corinthians 10)

We need our memories refreshed by God's Word. 

We need to fight the good fight of the faith. Our weapons are not of this world but of Heaven, of God's Spirit, of His Word.

II Corinthians 10:4

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."

What do these verses tell us?...

1. Nothing Can Win Against the LORD! 

Romans 8.38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.

We are in this battle to win and we can through Christ Jesus Our LORD.

Not even Satan Matthew 16.18

Jesus is building His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

No weapon formed against us will stand. Isaiah 54.17

Jesus said, " Tear down this Temple and I will raise it in three days."

If we are in the work of the LORD we will have battles, spiritual battles.  But as Nehemiah said when faced with his critics, "The God of Heaven will give us success." (Nehemiah 2.20)

If we can remember this truth we will be free from stress and anxiety and enjoy the journey so much more.

*Worry is a waste of time and energy. It wears us out.

*Fear is as well. Perfect loves casts it out. That quiet trust in the LORD and what He has said in His Word.

We ought to be praying, "LORD, open his eyes," when far too often we are asking, "O my lord, what shall we do?" 

II Kings 6.8-17

We ought to be taking into account more of the invisible as we grow closer to the LORD and get closer to heaven.

God's Hand upon us!

He will give us victory.

2. We must not look to our own strength or resources.

This is so tempting! We inventory what we have and often decide for less than, a lot less than God's will!

Notice Jude did not say to defend the faith, rather contend earnestly for the faith. I think too often because we do not know the LORD as well as we think we do we settle for much less than He has for us. We are defending when we ought to be contending.

I have seen decisions made because of the lack of faith and it is not pretty. It may be "safe"but  so often it spells out the end.

A horse, mighty animal, that can be trained for battle and do well.

The kings of Israel had specific instructions for horses!

Deuteronomy 17. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 

Don't look at what you don't or do have. Look to the LORD.

What is in your hand? Both Moses and David understood this because they were in God's Hands.

I explained in the Bible Studies this week why they were not to build up the cavalry. The people would see this and feel safe. Their trust would not be in the LORD.

3. We Will Win Our Battles Through Christ Jesus.

He has already won the war!

We face many battles.

*Temptation

*Faith Challenges

*Inadequacy

*Attacks (not as many as we think)

Psalm 105.16-19 till the Word of the LORD proved him true.

Sometimes we simply have to wait until the Word of the LORD proves us true!

Here on earth.

There in heaven when the true motives of everyone's hearts are revealed. 

Prayer and His Word are indispensable to winning these battles!

Victory rests with the LORD!

1 Corinthians 15:57 

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ.

A Spiritual Heritage

A Spiritual Heritage

Proverbs 20.7 The righteous lead blameless lives;

    blessed are their children after them.

God speaks to us in His Word how the actions of a person can effect lives for generations. He speaks of blessings as well as curses upon children that come from the behavior of parents. While believing on Jesus makes us a new creation there may be and often is still healing and restoring He does in hearts and souls. I have seen some wonderful transformations!

So many are living under the blessings of godly parents today. Righteous living brings blessings. We understand that we are not free from trials and difficulties and suffering as believers. We live in a sinful world. 

However there are spiritual blessings that come to the children of people who have led righteous blameless lives. I believe one of the reasons God gave us this truth is that we. as parents, do not easily recognize it. Part of this is due to humility. Our view is different. People view our children different than we do. Jesus verified that. "Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family." Matthew 13.57

I have seen where a parent or grandparent can have greater influence on a family than almost anything or anyone else! Paul eludes to this as he writes to Timothy,  "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well." II Timothy 1.5

Satan loves to work on our minds and sell us short. He lies. heis the father of lies. He can make us feel like we have not done a good job in raising our children. 

However,  you are having more influence than you can imagine if you are living a righteous blameless life. 

There is the power of the Holy Spirit which flows through a righteous and blameless life. There is a spiritual heritage that you are leaving for your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren if you are living for Jesus.

1. The Opposite is true.

I have seen the children pay a price for the wickedness of their parents.

*Embarrassment

*Emotional Pain deep in the soul

*Financial Problems

Having to work through this and more is taxing on the soul but after a person can become a wounded healer.

People who live for the flesh do not realize what they are passing onto their children and grandchildren. They can leave them all kinds of money but it is worthless in the Day of Wrath. It does not speak to the deep needs of the human heart. The rich young ruler went away sad because he has great wealth. His earthly riches caused him to miss the Pearl of Great Price.

Some think if I just give them good advice... Everyone needs God. He has placed eternity in our hearts and there will be no peace until Christ enters it.

Sometimes we need to be reminded. We all want our children and grandchildren, those of the younger generations to do well. But the Truth is if they do not have Jesus Christ all their success is for nothing. The words we live by apply to them. The Kingdom of God is the only Everlasting Kingdom. Blessed are those in it1

2. The influence of righteous living.

Godly Righteous Living

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. Proverbs 10.7

A reputation that is above reproach is a priceless thing. Guard it carefully.

Righteous people smile a lot more than the lost.

The influence extends way past before their time on earth.  

Revelation 14.13 KJV And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

We have seen this.

There is respect for their lives.

3. The Blessings Upon the Children

*Models

We continue to be models for our children long after they are grown. 

Parents are the pride of their children.

*Mentors

A great need today among young people, the younger generations.

They need heroes wo are blameless.

*Connections 

Blessings

*Peace

*Balance

*They get a day by day glimpse of Jesus.

Let me talk to you as I close this morning about my life. There have been generations upon generations of Christians in my family line. I grew up going to Sunday School and Church each Sunday. I remember studying my Bible regularly. My teenaged years were really built around the church ad serving Christ. When I graduated from High School God was already dealing with me about my future and within 2 years I was off to Bible College. Up to going to Bible College my life was like many of my Christian friends.

I am convinced as I look back now that many of the blessings I live under have to do with my parents, grandparents, etc. who lived righteous blameless lives. Like Timothy I embraced the faith they had and it now lives in me.

I read about a church this week from another denomination which today will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. It is in Missouri. It is also the final service as after today it will close. It is estimated that 3,500 people leave the church in America every day!

Here we are on Independence Day Weekend. It is the 241st Birthday of our nation. We are in such a great need of a Movement of God's Spirit nationwide. Such that will bring about a turning back to the LORD so that righteous blameless lives will be lived and future generations will inherit the blessing.

Would you join me in prayer for that in the days ahead?

Lead a blameless life. You will be blessed and your children will experience blessings.