Admonitions to the Rich and Poor

Some have used the story of the Rich Young Ruler to support their belief that no Christian should have wealth. However, last week we saw how St. Paul at times lived in super abundance. This week we will look at St. Paul’s admonitions to the rich and poor found in 1 Timothy 6.

¹⁷Command 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. ¹⁸Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹In 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.

Notice that Paul acknowledges the fact that there are rich people in the church. Some people think that wealthy people cannot be Christians. They often misuse the words of Jesus in Mark 10:25: ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They forget the next statement Jesus makes in response to the disciples question: ²⁶And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” ²⁷But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Although wealthy people certainly can be Christians, Paul gives them some specific advice concerning their wealth. This advice is very important not only for the rich but for those of us who God has spoken to concerning prosperity. If we are to become prosperous we must learn how to conduct ourselves with wealth. The best way to do that is to put into practice St. Paul’s instructions with our present finances.

We Americans measure our wealth by a completely different standard that God does. God’s standard is the world, not the United States. Most of us are already wealthy by world standards. However, if we can become faithful over few things, Jesus said He would make us ruler over many things. (Matt. 25:21)

Now we will turn our attention to the instructions Paul gives concerning those who are not wealthy.

⁹People 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. ¹⁰For 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.

When we begin to desire wealth, we become susceptible to temptation and traps that can cause our ruin and destruction. The scripture is clear that we cannot love money and God at the same time. (Matt. 6:24) You might say, “Why does God promise prosperity to His people and then tell us not to desire wealth? Should we not desire those things God wants to bless us with?”

These are very good questions and the answer is really very simple. Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”  Delight is the English word used to translate the Hebrew word €aònag (aw-nag')  It means to be soft or pliable. It has an effeminate sense of yielding to a lover in a way that brings glorious delight.

As we draw close to our loving Lord, He becomes delightful to us. He who made us touches every fiber of our being with His presence and there is a glorious interaction that brings glorious pleasure to our senses. In our mind we hear His words of approval like when He spoke to Jesus and said, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” Our heart responds with a gushing of emotion that flows over us expressing gratitude, love, and devotion. Great joy washes over every fiber of our being and is expressed in a multitude of physical ways. We may leap for joy, cry tears of joy, vibrate with joy, bow before Him with great joy, shout for joy, etc., etc.

In a real sense this delightful experience is the result of becoming “one” with God. Just as God designed the Man and Woman’s union to be one of unexplainable delight, so also there is a glorious delight that results from total surrender and oneness with our creator. Jesus prayed that we could experience this in John 17.

²⁰“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who ^£will believe in Me through their word; ²¹that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²²And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

When we begin to come into this wonderful relationship with our Creator, He begins to act as a wealthy lover to us. He begins to search out the things that would bring us joy. No wonder the Psalmist said, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

So where does that leave us at House of Joy? God has been speaking love promises to us since we began giving ourselves fully to Him in worship. He told us last year that this year would be one of double budget for the church and for many individuals in the church. Some have had great blessing of debt cancellations, pay raises, inheritances, etc. but the church has not yet experienced double budget. In fact our income is way below that of a year ago because many have left the church.

God spoke to me in our prayer meeting last Saturday night about continuing to believe His word on double budget. He said,

“The word of the Lord is powerful. It will accomplish what is it sent to do. Have faith in the words you have been given. They will come to pass. The power of the God of the universe is behind every sentence, every word, every syllable, and every character. Do not give up on the words even though it may come to pass at the very last minute. Your faith in the words are a factor in the words coming to pass. Will you still believe regardless of the circumstances that make doubt an easy choice? Make the right choice. Believe! Do not doubt your God.”

I wrote my response.

“Lord Jesus, I choose to believe Your words. I believe in double budget for the church this year. I believe in double budget for my family. I believe you will exalt us O Lord. You will show this houses as a centerpiece of your glory. I choose to believe. I choose to receive. I choose to fulfill my destiny you have laid before me. Let it be to me according to your Word O God.”

I told the congregation Sunday morning that I do not know how double budget can come to our church but I have chosen to believe the Word of God. Even if it is December 31^st I will believe it will come.

Now, let me share from my heart. I am not seeking riches. I am seeking God. I am seeking to fulfill the Words He has given to me so that I can be pleasing to Him. Next year God may be speaking “Give all your wealth to the poor,” or something else that the flesh might not enjoy. If so we will crucify the flesh so that we may maintain our love relationship with our God. 

Where do you stand today? Are you delighting yourself in the Lord? If you are, you know what I am speaking about today. If not, I hope this message has stirred you up to seek the Lord and experience this glorious oneness that Jesus prayed would happen in your life. Then prepare yourself to be blessed by a God who delights in giving us the desires of our heart.