How To Be A Richer Christian
INTRO: Two weeks ago I talked about "How to be a Better Christian." My main points were: Longing for God's Word in our lives; Letting Go of Pride; Worshipping the Lord; and the Last one which I feel is the key…Love the Brethren. So when all is said and done the key to being a better Christian is to be a "Sweeter" Christian.
Although this is not the term I used in that message - Sweeter makes us better! IF we love each other, we truly will become sweeter and if we become sweeter, we will be better! AMEN?
Last Sunday I compared steps people take to be stronger in life and how they compare or parallel being stronger Christians. To be stronger, you have to work at it. I mentioned that it is like joining a Health Club, and to be stronger one must Stay with it - don't give up. To be what we can be one must use or attend regularly our "Health Club" or church!
Today, I want to finish this three-part message with How To Be A Richer Christian. I know that you that know me well, know I do not buy into the "Prosperity Gospel" that many "televangelists" preach today. I do, however, know God can and will bless us with great riches if we seek them.
Let us get started, reading from 1 Timothy 6:17-18…
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
To be a richer Christian, we need to…
Appreciate what real riches are
Riches come from God - 2 Cor. 6:10; 2 Cor 8:9
Riches are more than earthly possesions
Riches don't last - James 1:10-11
Riches from this life end at death (for us) - Pro. 11:4
Riches are a gift Eph. 2:7
To be a richer Christian, we must do more than know about riches, we need to…
Acquire the right riches in this world
Spiritual riches arrive because of wise choices - Pro. 14:24
Means that we must…
Buy into His Plan for sharing riches - Get Saved - Rev. 3:18
Spiritual riches are gained through godly grace -
Spiritual riches come through godly fear and humility - Pro. 22:4
Spiritual riches grow through godly faith - James 2:5
Having acquired the right riches, we need to…
Apply those riches towards others lives
Do good with His riches - 1 Tim. 6:17-18
Do good works
Tell of His Grace - Eph 3:8
Share His good riches - Acts 20:32-35
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 121204am
1 Timothy 6:17-18 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
James 1:10-11 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Acts 20:32-35 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Timothy 6:17-18
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
James 1:10-11 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Acts 20:32-35 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.