Historical Posts
Money Is Not The Answer!
Can money fix everything? No. Money is not the answer.
For a long time this nation has operated upon the false premise that more money can fix about anything. But, does the evidence substantiate the claim? Absolutely not! Billions and billions of dollars have been poured into programs to help the poor, but people are still living in squalor and struggling to make ends meet. Billions more have been spent on education, yet we continue to hear disparaging news about our educational system and the lack of a properly educated work force in this country.
Nearly every week some new national crisis is declared, and demands for billions to fix it may be heard. Obviously, a certain amount of money is necessary to feed the hungry, house the needy, and educate the children of this nation. But, there comes a time when more money is not the answer. All the money in the world cannot educate children who are unwilling to learn. No matter how much money we spend, we cannot lift anyone out of poverty who is unwilling to help himself.
In most cases, what is needed is not more money, but more determination, more ambition, more resolve to do better. People need a hand up more than a hand out! What is needed is more self-reliance, more hard work, more commitment to succeed. People need to help themselves! What is needed is more faith in God, more faith in God given values, more faith in the Bible. The true measure of a man is not what he owns, but what owns him. No man is truly successful who has left God out of his life!
If you think money is the answer, think again. Solomon described two kinds of men in Proverbs 13:7. First, there are those who make themselves rich, but are really impoverished. Then, there are those who make themselves poor, but in fact, have great riches. All the money in the world cannot buy good health, a good name, a single additional day of life, or our eternal salvation.
Money is not the answer. Often, it is the problem! The love of money remains “the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Real Wealth
According to the story, Midas, King of Lydia, did a favor for the god Bacchus. Bacchus, in return, offered the king his heart’s desire. Midas wished that all he touched would turn to gold. His wish was granted, and he ran through the palace turning everything he touched to gold. To celebrate his newfound talent, he ordered a great banquet, but to his dismay, as he lifted the food and drink to his mouth it turned to gold. At last, starving and wretched, he fell at Bacchus’ feet and pleaded with him to take back the gift. Wealth is only a means to an end, and when we become obsessed with the means, we are in danger of missing the end.
Frequently, during his ministry, Jesus warned of the dangers of wealth. He once asked, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). He also warned those who tend to be overly concerned with the things of this world that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). He urged men to store up treasures in heaven and not here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). However, in spite of all the warnings, he never taught that money was evil. It is the “love of money” which is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
If you think that sudden wealth is the answer to all your problems, think again! “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
There is an Eastern legend which says that Alexander the Great, upon his death bed, commanded that when he was carried forth to the grave his hands were not to be wrapped as was the usual custom, but should be left outside the bier so that all might see and know that they held nothing. He who had been born to one empire, and was the conqueror of another, would leave this world empty-handed. He and the poorest beggar would at last be on equal terms.
Job, learning of the death of his children and the loss of his wealth, exclaimed, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Paul said essentially the same thing when he wrote, “We brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” We all leave this world empty-handed. There are no exceptions!
All that we have we leave behind when we die. Knowing that, John wrote: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
Real wealth is not measured in dollars and cents, but in faith, love and service to God and man. Those are the things the Lord will be looking at in Judgment. The man who has them is truly rich!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Among the Truly Rich
I consider myself among the richest people in the world.
I have been richly blessed. In one sense, my possessions probably aren’t worth a great deal, but in another, they are priceless.
For instance, take my coffee cup. I’ve had the same one for twelve years now. There really isn’t anything all that remarkable about it. It is essentially a plain white mug with the words “I LOVE DAD” embossed on it – a Christmas present from my son. He was six at the time! He probably doesn’t remember giving it to me. But, every time I look at it, I see him! There’s not enough money in Marietta to buy that cup!
Then, there’s my art collection. Two sculptured works come to mind. They are neither large nor ornate. I guess one might even describe them as “primitive works.” One is a paper weight – a small green disk with my name inscribed on its surface. The other is a pencil holder about the size of an average plum. They are signed pieces. And, of course, they are each a “one of a kind.” The sculptor has moved on to bigger and better things, but these will always be among her best works. Again, there isn’t enough money in Marietta to purchase either. They are not for sale at any price! My daughter made them just for me.
By now you may be thinking, “This guy’s not rich, he’s crazy.”
But, am I? I don’t think so. I’ve got something money can’t buy – the love of two wonderful young people – two kids who have never given me a moment’s trouble. You may be thinking, “Yea, right! What are they, day old twins?” Actually, Angela and Adam are both grown adults now.
No! I’m not crazy, just rich beyond measure, and I know it!
Sadly, there are some who will never know this kind of wealth, and others who could, but have no taste for it. They are the poorest of all.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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James 05:01-06 Why Does God Get Angry at the Rich? audio
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Text: James 5:1-6
Introduction
1. Compared to many people in the world, we are indeed blessed; in fact, in comparison with most people who live now and who have lived in the past, we are VERY RICH!
2. Now, it is important to stress that God does not condemn the rich for being rich
a. Some of the godliest people in the Bible were rich
b. For example, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia
3. However, Christ does speak of the difficulty of the rich being saved – Matthew 19:23-26
4. And there are times when God is very angry at the rich, as in our text:
5. As we consider this passage more carefully, we shall do so by trying to answer four questions:
a. Who is James addressing in this passage?
b. What is in store for these rich people?
c. Why is God so angry at them?
d. What applications can we draw from this passage?
Body
I. WHO IS JAMES ADDRESSING IN THIS PASSAGE?
A. ARE THEY CHRISTIANS?
1. Are these rich Christians who had been guilty of oppressing their brethren?
2. Possibly, but unlikely for several reasons
a. They are not addressed as “brethren” as is often done in this epistle – James 1:2, 19; 2:1, 14; 3:1, 10; 4:11
b. There is no call to repentance in this passage
1) As there is throughout this epistle in those passages in which it is clear brethren are being addressed
2) Here there is only condemnation!
c. The brethren are not addressed until James 5:7, in which THEY are told to be patient in light of what has just been said
B. MORE LIKELY, THOSE ADDRESSED ARE RICH UNBELIEVERS
1. Who had been oppressing the Christians – James 2:6
2. This tirade of judgment upon them appears to serve the purpose of comforting the brethren who were being oppressed by them – James 5:7
a. The Lord has heard their cries – James 5:4b
b. Judgment is coming upon these rich oppressors
c. Therefore the Christians are told to be patient
II. WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THESE RICH OPPRESSORS?
A. MISERIES THAT WILL CAUSE THEM TO “WEEP AND HOWL”! – James 5:3a
1. So certain are these miseries to come, that James speaks of them already occuring!
a. Riches are corrupted
b. Garments are moth-eaten
c. Gold and silver are corroded
2. When this “corrosion” of their riches occurs
a. It will serve as a witness against them
b. It will eat their flesh like fire
1) The anguish and misery of poverty usually affects the hardest those who were once rich!
2) Thus, when poverty strikes, it will make them “weep and howl” as though they were on fire!
B. THE MISERIES SPOKEN HERE MAY HAVE REFERENCE TO WHAT LATER OCCURRED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM IN 70 A.D.
1. Not long after this epistle was written Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans
2. Many of the rich Jews who had oppressed their Christian brethren literally “weeped and howled”
3. What they had failed to realize was that they had heaped up treasure “in the last days” – James 5:3b
a. Like the man in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), they thought they were laying up riches for their latter days
b. When in fact, it was the “last days” of the Jewish economy when they were so busy storing up wealth!
c. Like some today, who store up for retirement and then die before they retire!
III. WHY IS GOD SO ANGRY AT THESE RICH PEOPLE?
A. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY USED THEIR WEALTH
1. They hoarded their wealth – James 5:3b
2. They spent it on themselves with pleasures and luxury – James 5:5
3. They used the power that comes with wealth to oppress “the just” – James 5:6
a. Possibly a reference to Christ
b. Or the Christian whom they also oppressed
B. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GOT THEIR WEALTH
1. It was through wicked means – James 5:4
2. Specifically, by withholding wages from those who had worked for them
3. Just as some people today get rich through dishonest schemes or unjust labor practices!
IV. WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WE DRAW?
A. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE USE OUR WEALTH
1. To spend it on luxurious living when others are suffering
a. Is exactly what James has described in this passage
b. Is an indication of the lack of the love of God – 1 John 3:17
2. According to the New Testament, the purpose of working is not to obtain wealth for our own gratification, but to help those less fortunate!
a. As commanded by Paul – Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
b. As exemplified by Paul – Acts 20:34-35
B. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE OBTAIN OUR WEALTH
1. To do so at the expense of others will bring God’s wrath upon us! – Deuteronomy 24:14-15
2. It is wrong to think that success can only come by stepping on others
3. This might be an appropriate place to add what we learn from Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9-10
a. It is not riches that are wrong, but the DESIRE TO BE RICH that is wrought with many dangers!
b. Riches are not wrong if they are the BY-PRODUCT of our endeavors, not the GOAL of those endeavors!
1) For example, one may desire to be a doctor to help the sick, or a plumber because of one’s skill or interest in such matters, and receive riches as a by-product because of the value society might place on such services
2) But to enter such professions solely because one’s goal is to get rich thereby, then we are ensnared by the love of money!
4. So how do we obtain our wealth?
a. If we do it honestly and in compensation for a job well done, then God is pleased
b. But if we do it by hurting others and by making wealth our primary object, then we are in danger of God’s wrath!
Conclusion
1. Living in the country and society in which we do, we have much for which to be thankful
2. But we also have much of which we need to beware:
a. We live in a society where it is quite possible to become wealthy
b. We live in a society where covetousness or the desire to be rich are not considered sins
c. We live in a society where heaping up treasures for our own gratification is considered an inalienable right!
d. It is easy to be influenced by these values!
3. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves constantly: Are we laying up treasure in heaven, or on earth?
a. Those who lay up treasure in heaven are those who use their wealth to do good and help the poor and less fortunate – Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19
b. Those who lay up treasure on earth are actually storing up for themselves miseries and wrath!
1) Miseries…when their wealth fails them in their time of true need
2) Wrath…from God in the Day of wrath that is yet to come
4. These are sobering thoughts worthy of our careful consideration…Have you even begun to lay up treasure in heaven by obeying the gospel of Christ?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Romans 6:1-11
Text: Romans 6:1-11
Can we trust in riches?
Jesus said it is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24). After all, the rich young ruler would not give them up in order to follow after Christ (Matthew 19:16-22).
Paul said not to “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).” Riches are uncertain, for they will pass away (1 John 2:15-17).
Can we trust in ourselves?
Sometimes we think we can, and other times we know we cannot. We are not reliable. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and are not perfect. Paul said we should not “trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9-10).
One is tempted when enticed by his desires, and when the desire is conceived it causes sin. When sin is full-grown, death is brought about (James 1:14-15). This all started when Adam & Eve gave in to temptation and sinned when eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2-3).
As a result, “…in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
If we cannot trust in things or in people, in what or in whom can we trust?
We can trust in Christ!
- We heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is our guarantee of the inheritance (Ephesians 1:12-14)!
- We are not sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). The Old Testament shows how God provided for the children of Israel, and He will do the same for us (James 1:17; Ephesians 1:3).
- He is the Savior of all men, but especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:10). Even when we were in sin, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Those who are obedient to the gospel will be saved (Romans 6:1-11).
How do we show our trust in God?
Peter says the women who trusted in God adorned themselves with the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Paul told Timothy a true widow shows her trust in God by “continuing in supplications and prayers night and day” (1 Timothy 5:5). Christians are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18).
Content by Richard Dillon
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James 01:09-11 Trials of Poverty and Wealth – audio
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Text: James 1:9-11
Introduction
1. James has already discussed how we can turn trials into triumph, dealing with trials in general – James 1:2-8
2. In James 1:9-11, he discusses specifically the trials of being poor and being rich, and the attitudes we should have
3. In this lesson, we shall concentrate our attention on verses 9-11 and passages elsewhere which deal with the subject of poverty and wealth
4. Let’s begin by noticing that both wealth and poverty can be a problem
Body
I. THE TRIALS OF POVERTY AND WEALTH (Proverbs 30:8-9)
A. IN “POVERTY”, WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO CURSE GOD
1. Like Job’s wife wanted her husband to do, when they had lost everything – Job 2:9
2. And as many do today when things don’t go well
B. IN “WEALTH”, WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO FORGET GOD
1. As God warned Israel that it might happen to them – Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17
2. And as it did in fact happen to them – Hosea 13:5-6
II. THE REASONS FOR JOY IN POVERTY OR WEALTH (James 1:9-11)
A. IF WE ARE “POOR”, THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN “EXALTED”!
1. God has chosen the “poor” to be rich in faith – James 2:5
a. It is the poor who first had the gospel preached to them – Luke 4:18
b. It is the poor slave who becomes Christ’s “freedman” – 1 Corinthians 7:21-22
2. So even if poor, we can still be “spiritually rich” and on equal par with all Christians – Revelation 2:8-9
B. IF WE ARE “RICH”, THEN WE CAN REJOICE THAT WE HAVE BEEN “HUMBLED”!
1. The rich are “humbled” by their:
a. Becoming Christ’s “slave” – 1 Corinthians 7:21-22
b. Being placed on an equal par with all Christians…in which riches mean nothing – Revelation 3:14-19
2. Why it is good that the rich be so “humbled”
a. Riches are temporary – James 1:10-11
b. Riches are unable to redeem our souls – Psalm 49:6-9, Psalm 49:13-20
c. The love of money is a quagmire and a source of self- inflicted injuries – 1 Timothy 6:9-10
3. In other words, it is good that in coming to Jesus Christ we find these things out
a. Or we might have made the same mistake many make today
b. Thinking that money provides true security (remember the rich fool? – Luke 12:13-21)
Conclusion
1. Even in the trials of poverty or wealth, there can be a cause for rejoicing!
2. For Jesus is “The Great Equalizer”
a. Exalting the poor who are rich in faith
b. Humbling the wealthy by basing their salvation not on wealth, but on that which cannot be bought: the blood of Jesus and the obedience of a humble and contrite spirit
3. Keeping these thoughts in mind will help us learn to be content in whatever financial conditions we may find ourselves; as Paul wrote:
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:11-13
4. The important question is not “How rich are you?” but “How rich IN FAITH are you?”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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