“But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 6, Matthew 6, Poor, Poverty, Rich, Wealth

Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Happy are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Happy are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Happy are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

“But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.”

Source: Luke 6:20-21, 24

Jesus lays out the principles of the Kingdom of God. This excerpt is from what is known as the Sermon on the Plain. It is similar but slightly different than the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon, he also has a series of “woe to you” statements.

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“Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.” ~King Solomon

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, King Solomon, Money, Poor, Poverty, Proverbs 8, Rich, Wealth, Wise Sayings

Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money,
    and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth;
nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.” ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 8:10-11 (The Message)

There is a lot of confusion among followers of Jesus about money, wealth, poverty, riches and what God wants for us. This isn’t intended to be an indictment about prosperity ministries but it is intended to offer caution both from King Solomon and most importantly, Jesus.

What is most important? King Solomon makes it clear that wisdom is more important than money. This from a man who was one of the wealthiest of his time. King Solomon suggest spending our time focused on wisdom and not so much on money, careers and wealth.

"Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money." ~~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Extravagant, Jesus, Messiah, Money, Rich

I want to go after God. He is the rich one, not me. He can pile it on.

Jesus, the Messiah, doesn’t hold back. Like Jesus, I want to be extravagantly generous. What I have is really nothing compared to Him. He is the one. What a great new plan He is executing.

I need to be intentional about investing my heart and life in what truly matters.

I need to obsess about God’s desires and not my desires for money.

I need to go after God.

I need to pursue treasures that last.

Here is the plan:

• Go after God
• Do good every day
• Be rich in helping others
• Be extravagantly generous

Now that is a good plan.

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG

Contemplation on a prayer: A Poem

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Friend, Jesus, Poem, Power, Prayer, Rich, Thankful

Should I pray for an easier life OR
to continue becoming a stronger man?
I will pray for power equal to my tasks.

I am amazed that power does come to me that exceed the challenges of my life.
I could have sought tasks equal to my powers but . . .
that is not the path of strength.

that is not the path of courage.
that is not the path of hope.

Much better to pray for powers equal to my tasks.
I am amazed at the beauty of my world . . .
at the richness of my life
at the love I know daily.

I am overwhelmed with the friends who care for me . . .
who appreciate me
who challenge me
who accept me.

I am thankful for my family . . .
who knows me and loves me.
cares for and appreciates me.

Everyday I do wonder at myself and
the richness of my life that has come to me
by the grace of Jesus!

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” ~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Contentment, Faith, Jesus, Rich, Temptation

Peace with God

There is a striving for “things” that is not natural in God’s world. Being content is a huge thing.

It takes a supernatural courage from God to believe He is in control and that I have all I need. Godliness with contentment. Hmmm!! That is what I want.

In His world, I have all His riches. I don’t need the riches of this world. His new plan gives me all that I need in Him.

There is a way that leads to destruction. I will choose His way that leads to contentment and peace.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 TNIV Bible

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God.” ~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Generosity, Good works, Jesus, Rich, Share, Treasure

Do Good

I need to go after God. I want to be rich in helping others. I want to be extravagantly generous, just like Jesus, the Messiah.

I want to focus on building up treasures in Heaven that will last forever. I want to gain life that is truly life.

Life that is focused on building wealth here is not life at all.

God’s generosity will take care of what I need.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

“They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.” ~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Jesus, Messiah, Rich, Wealth

Worth watching this short video. Religion is not a way to make a fast buck.

How much is enough? Bread on the table and shoes on our feet.

The Lust for Money

^2-5 These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.

Money

^6-8 A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

^9-10 But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

(1 Timothy 6:1-10 The Message)

 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth.” ~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Economy, Generous, Hope, Jesus, Rich, Wealth

Money

This seems pretty timely. The economy goes up and down. That creates a lot of uncertainty. A lot of us trust in it our 401K. In financial trouble? Whip out the credit card. In credit we trust.

Better to trust in God who provides for us according to His richness. We should be rich in good deeds. We should be generous. We should share with those in need.

Then there is God’s economy. It is certain. It will never evaporate from in front of our eyes. God’s goal is for us to trust in God.

God’s economy doesn’t need a bailout. He is in a good mood. He is generous. He has plenty to go around.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“The wealth of the rich is their bastion; the poverty of the indigent is their ruin.” ~~King Solomon

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Jesus, Poverty, Proverbs 10, Rich, Wealth, Wise Sayings

Money

We know how destructive poverty is. We also know about the value of money.

Jesus challenges us to be wealthy in our hearts and souls. That will save us.

One day soon all of the material wealth we have in this world will disappear. We know we can’t take it with us. Where is our wealth and treasure? Are we rich in God’s ways? Do we have a poverty of spirit?

“The wealth of the rich is their bastion; the poverty of the indigent is their ruin.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:15 )

The Digital Ministry: The Connected Disciple wants to give it all

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1 Timothy 6, Connected Disciple, Digital Ministry, Generous, Matthew 10, Rich, Tithe

Tithing vs. Giving

Over the years, many churches have developed a model to explain disciple giving, the tithe. Others have used a donor pyramid where a member moves over time from the first gifts (tithes) to annual giving to major gifts and then planned gifts. For today’s connected disciple, it is no longer a linear path to engagement and tithing. This is not intended to be a debate about whether to tithe or not. It is not about tithing vs. giving.

The new connected disciple will know the story of the “rich young ruler”.  They don’t want to be like him. They want to give it all.

“If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.” That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go. Matthew 19:21-22

The connected disciple is following a journey of experiences with your ministry. The visual is more a loop that includes awareness, consideration, evaluation, mission engagement (donate, volunteer, advocate or participate), sharing the experience, where they start to become loyal and continue engagement through another journey along the loop. This level of engagement requires dedicated monitoring, not just listening, to shepherd people along this delicate journey. In this new world of constant distractions, the journey can go astray without proper leadership.

Amazing Experience

This is why intentional journey design in creating the experience before, during and after it is experienced is so critical to relationships with connected disciples. If people can’t connect with the intent of your mission, then they won’t contribute to the intended outcomes God desires to see. The new connected disciple wants to go after God. Will you intentionally design the experience to lead there?

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“Rich as he was, Jesus gave it all away for us.” ~~Apostle Paul

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1 Corinthians 8, Apostle Paul Sayings, Generosity, Jesus, Love, Poor, Rich, Sacrifice

As the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah had all the riches of our Father. Yet He chose to give it all away. He did it for us. He did it so we could share the riches of our Father as well.

It is His nature to be generous. His generosity is contagious.  He loves to give to us. God, like any father, He delights in making things happen for us even if it means a sacrifice on His part. Now that is love.

God’s goal for us is to be generous, like He is. Generosity is contagious.

You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus the Messiah. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich. 2 Corinthians 8:8-9

Panic is greed’s cousin. Will we be content with godliness?

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1 Timothy 6, Evil, Faith, Godliness, Greed, Money, Rich

Panic over money is greed’s cousin. Am I content with what I have? Do I have enough to eat and clothes? Is there a good roof over my head? When I panic over something I have lost, I have stared greed in the face. Panic shows that I am not content with what I have.

God’s goal for us is clear. His desire for us is godliness. That is what matters for eternity. What “we have” in terms of riches is of no value to God.

Godliness is the mission. All else pales in comparison. What will I leave this world with? Not money. Only my love of God matters.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

May I love God and be content.

May I understand the value of godliness.