Living the Truly Good Life

Ways to Rise Above the Pull of Materialism

Highlights from our congregational readings in 1 Tim – 11/28/04 – By Brian Kluth

1) A goal to strive for: Godliness with contentment

1 Tim 6:6,8 Godliness (=devoted to Christ living) with contentment (=satisfaction) is great gain… if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Luke 12:15 (Jesus said) "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

1 Tim 4:7-8 Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.^TLB

2) A reality to face: You come and go empty handed

1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

Ecc 5:15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.

Job 1:20-21 At this (the loss of his possessions and children), Job… fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Ps 49:16-17 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.

3) A danger to avoid: The love of money

1 Tim 6:9-10 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. 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.

Eccl 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

Matt 6:24 (Jesus said) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Luke 12:20-21 "But God said to him (the rich farmer), 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

4) A command to follow: Put your hope in God and live generously

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.

Ps 62:10 Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Matt 6:19-20 (Jesus said) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

BIBLE READINGS for this week, read 2 Timothy, Philemon, Ps 68-69

FREE SERMON CASSETTES are available on the lobby table after the 9am service OR listen to all of Brian’s sermons on the internet: www.1freechurch.org