The Poverty Of The Rich

Previous Lesson : Prejudice 1. Christians are different 2. Many kinds of prejudice 3. Prejudice is illogical 4. We must not be prejudice 5. Prejudice is rebellion

James 2: 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 4: 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

I Corinthians 4: 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

The goals of this lesson are : 1. Never prejudice against poor 2. It is not wrong to be wealthy 3. Being wealthy is dangerous 4. Never envy wealthy people 5. Christians have great wealth

I. We must never be prejudice against the poor.

God loves all men, but He has special care for the poor and gives protection to them.

Psalms 12: 5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs.“ ( ESV )   Luke 4: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.

James 2: 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? I Corinthians 1: 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;

God : If you love Me, love them. Proverbs 14: 31 He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. Proverbs 19: 17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.

II. It is not wrong to be wealthy and not all rich people are evil.

James 5: 4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. (of hosts) (Sabaōth): Almighty, title for Yahweh in the OT, as the head of adj. great army, and hence very powerful

Job 1: 3 … Job was the richest man of the east. Genesis 13: 2 – Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. Genesis 26: 12 – Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

It is God who gives the ability to prosper. Deuteronomy 8: 17-18 Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' 18 But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

It is sinful to desire wealth. I Timothy 6: 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Proverbs 23: 4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. Ephesians 4: 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

III. Being wealthy is a dangerous trial.

4. Prosperity breeds corruption 5. Wealth supplants faith in God 1. Riches are seductive 2. There is never enough 3. Consumes too much time 4. Prosperity breeds corruption 5. Wealth supplants faith in God 6. Makes it difficult to enter Heaven

Luke 18: 23-27 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But He said, " The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."

IV. The Christian must never envy those who are wealthier than himself.

1. Their wealth is temporary. 2. Their judgment is certain. 3. Their misery will be eternal.

V. The Christian has wealth beyond anything on this earth.

We must learn to be satisfied with enough. “Enough is as good as a feast.” - Ben Franklin

I Timothy 6: 6-8 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

Let us pray Solomon’s prayer. Proverbs 30: 8-9 Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, 9 That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.

I Peter 1: 3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

All we have to do is surrender to Him in obedience and then keep our faith in Him.

Have you surrendered your life to Christ ? Are you continuing to live in Him ?

Remember His Love

As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone you meet. Mark 16: 15