CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES (2)

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES (2)
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:19-24

Christian is to beware of riches - Bible does not teach that it is wrong to have money, or even to be wealthy. While there were “not many noble” who were Christians in the first century (1 Corinthians 1:26), there must have been some. Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who was Jesus’ disciple (John 19:38; Matthew 27:57). A number of the disciples mentioned in the New Testament were probably affluent—for example, Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12), and Philemon. Paul himself seems to have been from a comfortably well off and highly respected family. He may have had some source of income other than his labours as a tent-maker (Acts 23:16–35; 28:30).

Riches are sinful when people begin to trust in them (Matthew 6:19–21, 24). To “store up treasures on earth” is to trust in money or riches, to put money first in life. We cannot give God His proper place in our lives and at the same time make the accumulation of riches the primary goal of our existence (1 Timothy 6:9, 10). Is money the root of all evil? No, Money itself is not the problem; “the love of money” is! Love for money is certainly not the motive for every sin, but a craving for riches can cause people to make the acquisition of wealth their primary goal in life.

In the parable of the sower, the seed sown among thorns represents “the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18, 19). Temptations involved in riches are 1) To love money more than Christ and be unwilling to follow the Lord (Matthew 19:16–22). 2) To be haughty or proud (1 Timothy 6:17). 3) To get ever richer at the expense of the poor, without any regard for ethics (James 2:5–7; 5:1–6). 4) To trust in riches (Luke 12:13–21).

Christian responsibilities include being content. Christ wants His disciples to be satisfied with what they have. Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment (1 Timothy 6:6–8; Hebrews 13:5). The attitude of contentment exemplified by Paul is not easy or natural (Philippians 4:10–13). We, too, can learn to be content, for we can do all things through Christ! The requirement to be content raises an ethical question: Can a Christian, since he is to be content in any circumstance, ever ask for a raise or seek a job that pays more money? The answer is “yes”—if his motives are right. One can seek a better-paying job or ask for a raise if his purpose in doing so is to serve the Lord. By making more money, he should be better able to provide for himself and his family, to serve the church and help others, and to influence more people for Christ.

Word Affirmation: Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep - Deuteronomy 28:4 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“We cannot give God His proper place in our lives and at the same time make the accumulation of riches the primary goal of our existence.”

Central Truth