Instructions to the Rich

B5 1 Timothy 6:17-19

C1 Verse 17

D1 Riches.

E1 Note this refers to the riches of this world. It does not refer to spiritual riches/treasure.

E2 It is not sinful to have riches.

E3 The Greek word for riches is πλούσιος ploúsios. It means having many things as money, land, businesses, etc., wealthy, and rich.

D2 The dangers

E1 Proud, being arrogant.

F1 The Greek word is ὑψηλοφρονέω hypsēlophronéō. It means to think of ourselves better than other. It is thinking themselves to have more of God’s blessings and favor than others, better abilities, smarter, etc.

F2 Credit is not given to God but to themselves for their success. See Psalm 52 for an example.

E2 Misplaced trust

F1 We are specifically commanded to not gloat and trust in riches.

F2 Psalms 62:10 GNB Don't put your trust in violence; don't hope to gain anything by robbery; even if your riches increase, don't depend on them.

F3 Example: The rich landowner in Luke 12.

F4 Love of money is declared to be idolatry. Colossians 3:5 EMTV Therefore put to death your members on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

D4 The challenge

E1 To trust God instead of riches. Psalm 40:4 CSB How happy is anyone who has put his trust in the LORD and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!

E2 Who gives us what we NEED. Psalms 107:9 Complete Apostles' Bible For He satisfies the empty soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things.

C2 Verse 18-19

D1 What the rich should be doing.

E1 Do good

F1 This is doing good to other people. Things that God approves of. Some things: edify the brothers and sisters, listen, provide physical, emotional, and/or spiritual needs, visit, pray, etc. Matthew 5:16 NASB77 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

F2 Example: The Good Samaritan

F3 Matthew 5:43-48

F4 Compare: Proverbs 26:18-19 NRSV Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows, 19 so is one who deceives a neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

E2 Do good works

F1 This is doing good towards God. Compare: Ephesians 4:28 EMTV Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working that which is good with his hands, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.

F2 Luke 12:21 NRSV So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.

F3 Not rich towards God. See Clarke: This is the essential characteristic of a covetous man: he desires riches; he gets them; he lays them up, not for the necessary uses to which they might be devoted, but for himself; to please himself, and to gratify his avaricious soul. Such a person is commonly called a miser, i.e. literally, a wretched, miserable man.

Some helpful suggestions are given to help them keep perspective

D1 Do good

D2 Be rich in good works rather than money

D3 A readiness to donate

D4 A cheerful willingness to share

D5 Be content with what you have

D6 Give God the credit for His blessing

C3 Doing these will result in

D1 A good foundation (solid and sure of faith to stand the spiritual blows and temptations of this life)

D2 Eternal life: The eternal life will not come from what they do, for it is only through grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. What it means is they will not lose their salvation. Eternal life is more important than earthly life, and eternal, heavenly treasure is more important that temporary, earthly treasure.

C4 Questions:

D1 Why do people love money?

D2 Name some evils in society come from the love of money?

D3 How do people and/or businesses control people by money?

D4 What is the Christian understanding about money?

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 4:13-17

C2 The Christian life—not assuming James 4:13-17

James 4:13-17 WEL Come on, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, stay there a year, buy and sell, and make money.” 14 On the contrary, you don’t even know what [will happen] tomorrow. For what [is] your life? It is just a puff of smoke that appears for a moment then disappears. 15 For you should say, “If the Lord wills, then we will live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your self-confidence; all such rejoicing is evil. 17 So then, the one, who knows what is right and does not do it, is guilty of sin.

Presumption=

· In our passage, James knew of some who presumed that tomorrow would come. That is not Christian reality.

· There are 2 other passages dealing with this

o Jesus spoke a parable of a rich man, whose land had produced a superabundant crop. Praise God! But the man presumed to live for a long time, never thinking that death could happen at any time. This man’s treasure is only here on earth. He didn’t take time for gathering spiritual treasure. Luke 12:19-20 LEB And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’

o The Lord Jesus makes 2 points we need to learn

§ Not to be greedy: Luke 12:15 LEB And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.

§ Forgetting we should make it our priority to be working for heavenly treasure over earthly treasure: Luke 12:21 LEB So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!

· Earthly treasure= financial things as money, net worth, etc. There is nothing wrong with money or being rich, but the error comes in our attitude and priority.

· Spiritual treasure=

o The best produce is the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26 MEV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.

o This fruit is based on all goodness, as God defines goodness: Ephesians 5:9 MEV or the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

Brevity of life= Psalm 39:4-6 NLT LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. Interlude We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

Ungodly boasting=

· The difference is boasting about ourselves instead of boasting about God.

· An article about boasting (I don’t know much about this site, so as with all be discerning).

God’s will= is the most important thing. We should always have this attitude and be serious about it. Some things we know are God’s will, and we must do it. Some things are not God’s will, and we must avoid it.

Know what’s right and doesn’t do it is sin. Sin isn’t just breaking God’s law; it is also knowing what is right and being negligent.

The Greek word for boast is καυχάομαι kaucháomai.

· It has the idea of glorying, rejoicing, boast, etc. in something whether reasonable or unreasonable.

· Here, these people are rejoicing in something they should not, namely, “We’re going to make a lot of money.”

· The attitude is what is wrong.

The Greek word for boasting, pride, arrogance, etc. Is ἀλαζονεία alazoneía.

· According to Thayer’s Lexicon, it has the idea of

o an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights

o an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things,

· Again, it is the attitude—arrogant pride.

o Proverbs 26:12 CSB Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

o 1 Corinthians 10:12 CSB So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

· The solution is

o Proverbs 3:7 BSB Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

o Remember: Proverbs 16:5 NLT The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

o Instead: 2 Corinthians 10:17 NLT As the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.

Sometimes people leave God out of their planning for the future. We must not.

Questions=

· What kind of boasting does James write about?

· Is making money wrong? Explain.

· Why does God hate pride?