Enjoying wealth may seem easy to do. But the dangers of wealth are so real that many lives have been destroyed by it (I Timothy 6:9-10). Wealth is amoral; not sinful in itself. It is man’s sinfulness, specifically his greed, which makes wealth so dangerous.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul gives instructions as to our attitudes and actions on material wealth.

Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it. (v. 17a)

What do you have that you did not receive? What do you have that you did not receive? 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a). (I Corinthians 4:7-8; I Samuel 2:7; Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 1:21; I Timothy 6:7) (I Corinthians 4:7-8; I Samuel 2:7; Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 1:21; I Timothy 6:7)

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV84) 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

“The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.” 1 Samuel 2:7 (NIV84) 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV84) 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

“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.” Job 1:21 (NIV84) 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:7 (NIV84) 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

As long as we think and feel that we deserve it (wealth, recognition or praise), we will never be fully grateful to God and we will never totally understand the grace of God. 1.Be humble, not arrogant. You don’t deserve it (v. 17a).

Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain. (v. 17b)

What do you have that will last for eternity? What do you have that will last for eternity? 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b). (Proverbs 11:28; 23:5; 27:24; Psalm 49; James 1:10-11) (Proverbs 11:28; 23:5; 27:24; Psalm 49; James 1:10-11)

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28 (NIV84) 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b).

“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.” Proverbs 23:5 (NIV84) 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b).

“for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” Proverbs 27:24 (NIV84) 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b).

“But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:12 (NIV84) 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b).

“But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” James 1:10–11 (NIV84) 2.Trust God, not wealth. It is so uncertain (v. 17b).

Enjoy wealth. God has given it. (v. 17c)

What do you have that you should enjoy now? What do you have that you should enjoy now? 3.Enjoy wealth. God has given it (v. 17c). (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20) (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20)

“Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.” Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NIV84) 3.Enjoy wealth. God has given it (v. 17c).

“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NIV84) 3.Enjoy wealth. God has given it (v. 17c).

“He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:20 (NIV84) 3.Enjoy wealth. God has given it (v. 17c).

Employ wealth. God has purposed it. (vv )

What do you have that you can share? What do you have that you can share? 4.Employ wealth. God has purposed it (vv ). (James 5:1-6) (James 5:1-6)

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.” James 5:1–2 (NIV84) 4.Employ wealth. God has purposed it (vv ).

“Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” James 5:3 (NIV84) 4.Employ wealth. God has purposed it (vv ).

“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” James 5:4 (NIV84) 4.Employ wealth. God has purposed it (vv ).

“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:5-6 (NIV84) 4.Employ wealth. God has purposed it (vv ).