Introduction Last week we warned about the danger of loving money & how you can’t serve God & wealth. It is hard but not impossible for the rich to go to heaven (godly men & women in the Bible). Rich Christians who work hard shouldn’t feel guilty because of their wealth but they have a great responsibility Rich Christians who work hard shouldn’t feel guilty because of their wealth but they have a great responsibility (Luke 12:48). The apostle Paul by inspiration charges the rich with several admonitions which we will study today (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Repent Instead of trusting in uncertain riches and being conceited, focus (1 Tim. 6:17; Rev. 3:15-19). Instead of trusting in uncertain riches and being conceited, focus on God who has richly blessed you (1 Tim. 6:17; Rev. 3:15-19). After the prodigal son wasted his father’s inheritance in wickedness, he confessed his sins & went back to his father (Lk. 15:17ff). After Simon was rebuked for desiring to buy the spiritual gifts, he repented (Acts 8:22-24). Repent so that you will be restored and have the right attitude towards God and wealth.

Instruct them to Do Good Instead of spending their money on themselves, they are doing good to others Instead of spending their money on themselves, they are doing good to others (1 Tim. 6:18). A woman was rebuked for sacrificing a years worth of wages pouring perfume on Jesus’ head when it appeared that it could have been sold and given to the A woman was rebuked for sacrificing a years worth of wages pouring perfume on Jesus’ head when it appeared that it could have been sold and given to the poor. (Matt. 26:6-9; Mark 14:3-5; Jn. 12:1-5) Jesus wanted the whole world to remember that she had done a good deed in preparing His body for burial Jesus wanted the whole world to remember that she had done a good deed in preparing His body for burial (Mt. 26:10-12; Mr. 14:6-8).

Instruct them to Do Good The woman sacrificed much for the Lord and endured persecution rather than receiving the praise of men. Jesus praised her! Be careful not to judge according to appearance as you will be judged to Be careful not to judge according to appearance as you will be judged to (Jn. 7:24; Mt. 7:1ff). Be careful that you do not do good to others to receive the praise of men like the Pharisees did or ‘toot your horn’ Be careful that you do not do good to others to receive the praise of men like the Pharisees did or ‘toot your horn’ (Matt. 6:1-4; 23:5). All Christians are to do good to others to glorify God All Christians are to do good to others to glorify God (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:7, 14, 3:8).

Charitable (Be Rich in Good Works) The wealthy cannot buy or do enough good works to be saved (Eph. 2:9). God is rich in mercy and made them and us alive together with Christ and the wealthy are to be rich in good works God is rich in mercy and made them and us alive together with Christ and the wealthy are to be rich in good works (Eph. 2:4-10). The wealthy farmer stored up treasure for himself but was not rich to God The wealthy farmer stored up treasure for himself but was not rich to God (Lk. 12:16ff). Barnabas and Tabatha sacrificed much for others but Ananias and Sapphira did not. Barnabas and Tabatha sacrificed much for others but Ananias and Sapphira did not. (Acts 4:32-34; 5:1-11; 9:36-41)

Helpful (Ready to Give) Remember the words of Jesus- “it is more blessed to give than receive” Remember the words of Jesus- “it is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). The rich tax collector Zaccheus was ready to give ½ of his possessions to the poor and 4X as much if he defrauded anyone (Luke 19:8). The apostle Paul was always ready to help his brethren (Gal. 2:10; 1 Thess. 1:5ff). Let us be ready to give of ourselves so that we can help others in their time of need. (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27).

Evangelism (Willing to Share) The words “willing to share” in 1 Timothy 6:18 is the word for fellowship. The apostle Paul was thankful for the financial support of the Philippians so that he could evangelize The apostle Paul was thankful for the financial support of the Philippians so that he could evangelize (Phil. 4:15). The wealthy can help faithful evangelists preach the soul saving gospel in the world but must not support false teachers. The wealthy can help faithful evangelists preach the soul saving gospel in the world but must not support false teachers. (Ga. 6:6; Mk. 16:15-16; 3 Jn.; 2 Jn. 9-11).

Store Up Treasures in Heaven There is no paradise on earth where we can store our treasures as it will either decay, be stolen from you, or be burned up in the end. There is no paradise on earth where we can store our treasures as it will either decay, be stolen from you, or be burned up in the end. (Matt. 6:19-20; 2 Peter 3:10) What you treasure in your heart is what you will follow and put first in your life What you treasure in your heart is what you will follow and put first in your life (Mt. 6:21,33). In heaven there is an inheritance which will never perish, never be defiled by sin, and the joys will never end In heaven there is an inheritance which will never perish, never be defiled by sin, and the joys will never end (1 Peter 1:3ff).

Application We can’t do what the woman did for the Lord but remember that when we help the needy, the Lord takes it personally We can’t do what the woman did for the Lord but remember that when we help the needy, the Lord takes it personally (Mt. 25:34ff). The Bible doesn’t tell how much to give on the Lord’s day but it does say that God loves a cheerful giver and He is able to make all grace abound to them The Bible doesn’t tell how much to give on the Lord’s day but it does say that God loves a cheerful giver and He is able to make all grace abound to them (2 Cor. 9:6ff). There are evangelists either here or in foreign fields that can use support to help them preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Application Individually, we can help needy saints, family, or people in the world. Even if you don’t have money, you can teach the gospel, help the needs of those who are sick, homebound, the widows, those in the nursing home, the discouraged, lonely, or the depressed. Whether rich or poor, man or woman, God’s grace is available for you to obey the gospel of Christ or be restored right now! Whether rich or poor, man or woman, God’s grace is available for you to obey the gospel of Christ or be restored right now!