## The Cost of Riches

## I Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

Read: 1 Timothy 1-6

Have you ever considered our fascination with game shows? Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, The $25,000 Pyramid, Jeopardy, etc. All of these shows, and many more like them, have something in common. Ordinary people win thousands of dollars and exotic prizes. Perhaps I should have added a relatively new show to that list: Hoosier Millionaire! In our consideration of the topic: The Christian and His Possessions, tonight I want us to look at the cost of riches. We could offer a second title to the message: The Cost of Contentment.

I. What is Contentment?

A. Some Definitions:

1. Getting everything you want as soon as you want it

a. Most of know that that is not true.

b. We have lived long enough to know that those who live that way are not content at all.

2. Not having all you want, but wanting only what you have.

a. Being satisfied with what you have.

b. And, not craving for more.

3. Paul's definition: Ph. 4:11-13

a. Biblical contentment is understanding that when we have God, we can be content.

b. Whether we have plenty or need, hungry or full.

c. We can be content thru Christ's strengthening power no matter what conditions may exist.

B. False teachings haven't changed much.

1. In Paul's day they were teaching that "gain was godliness".

2. That is the same line that is taught today by any number of teachers.

3. Jesus wants you rich! You deserve the best because God gave His best for you.

4. That teaching is nothing more than the sin of materialism masquerading in religious robes!

5. It is that kind of thinking that makes people think that it is alright to have solid gold fixtures in the bathroom, and air-conditioned dog houses.

C. Contentment is true wealth, not possessions.

1. Not new cars, new clothes, or new homes.

2. Not savings accounts, investment capital, or stock dividends. page three

3. Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth." Lk. 12:15

II. Warnings to "They that will be rich"

A. It begins with a temptation. v9

1. Open a magazine and there, in more-than-living color, you see a gorgeous automobile.

2. Walk into the mall and there it is again, now you can touch it, feel it, maybe even sit in it!

3. Look down the street, your neighbor has one in his driveway...and he makes less money than you do!

4. Every one of us has felt this power of temptation, if not over a car at least over some material thing.

5. It is amazing how we can convince ourselves that we have a "right" to these things.

B. From temptation to the snare.

1. Snap! the trap catches us and we are unable to get away!

2. Notice where the emphasis is placed: "they that will be rich".

3. It is on the desire to be rich, not the riches themselves.

4. The most misquoted Scripture in the Bible is verse 10.

a. Money is the root of all evil.

b. NO! It is the LOVE of money that is the source of all sorts of evil.

5. Once we become ensnared our possessions possess us!

a. They demand that we take care of them.

b. They change our relationship with others.

c. The bumper sticker says it all: "I Owe, I Owe, So its off to work I go."

C. The result of the temptation and snare is "many foolish and hurtful lusts".

1. The love of money encourages cruelty, callousness, neglect, and shameful indulgence.

2. People get involved in things they never dreamed they would do, all in the name of power, or greed, or pleasure.

3. "which drown men in destruction and perdition."

a. one of the most tragic situations is seen in the destruction of lives.

b. ex. Pastor arrested for theft...

c. News item: This year the majority of shop-lifting and theft from retail stores will be committed by employees, not professional thieves!

4. An even greater tragedy is seen in v10, "they have erred from the faith".

a. I could list a number of people, many of whom you know, who have erred from the faith because of the love of money.

b. I know folks who went to Bible college with a great desire to serve God, but turned away from that in order to make their fortune.

c. People who have been out of work, and the church pray that God will give them a job...when He does, they forget God...too busy with the new job...can't find time to come to church anymore.

III. Warning to those who are rich. v17-19

A. Don't let your riches go to your head!

1. Riches can deceive you into thinking that you are worth more than you really are.

2. An old Mexican prospector, that people called "Old Candilero", found a huge $700 gold nugget one day.

3. When he came to town he found that people began to treat him differently, they began calling him "Don Candilero".

4. As he began to spend his money around town they began calling him "Don Juan Candilero, Caballero" which means gentleman.

5. However, whenever the money ran out, people returned to calling him "Old Candilero".

6. That is the deceitfulness of riches, they give a false sense of superior worth.

B. Do not put your trust in them.

1. You cannot count on them being there tomorrow.

2. Many wealthy families lost everything because of wars.

3. In the state of Washington, many wealthy people owned beautiful mountain cabins around the foot of Mt. St. Helen's. Now they are covered with twenty feet of volcanic ashes.

4. If this big earthquake lets go, our material possessions can disappear overnight.

C. Remember that God is the source of all riches and blessings.

1. So do good: use your money in a way that helps people and honors God.

2. Be ready to give willingly of what we possess.

3. In so doing we will lay up treasures in heaven.

Conclusion: Consider the cost of riches this evening. Realize that "Godliness with contentment is great gain". There is a principle worth living out in our lives. This is a very practical passage of Scripture that we must apply. For all that we have will one day be left behind!