B3 Material wealth
C1 Even though many have the idea that being rich equals a person pleasing to God, God has a different thought—godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness is a greater good than money, for we leave riches behind when we die, but godliness and its fruits are recognized in heaven.
D1 The Greek word for godliness is εὐσέβεια eusébeia. It means a person’s actions, words, etc. are pleasing to God.
D2 A few things that are pleasing to God:
E1 Having our bodies do what God wants instead of doing what the body wants. Sleep is good, but if I sleep more than I need, I probably am neglecting things that must be done. See Romans 12:1
E2 Since God has given us light into our soul to understand truth and God’s ways, we are to study and learn what pleases God, not part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness (NLT on Ephesians 5:11), not to live like fools, etc. See Ephesians 5: 8-11 (all of Ephesians 5 is instructive).
E3 Righteousness and peace and joy are pleasing to God. See Romans 14:17-18.
C2 Money is not held in high regard with God.
C3 We were born naked and penniless, and whatever we have here, we will not take it with us when we die.
C4 We should be content if we have a place to sleep and clothes to wear (the clothing part of verse 8) and if we have food.
C5 Contentment:
D1 Hebrews 13:5 WEB Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.
D2 Philippians 4:11-12 NRSV Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
D3 A good attitude for us to have: Proverbs 30:7-8 GNB I ask you, God, to let me have two things before I die: 8 keep me from lying, and let me be neither rich nor poor. So give me only as much food as I need.
C6 Being materially rich in this life might be spiritually dangerous. Be careful. Those who have riches face:
D1 Temptations that others do not
D2 Traps
D3 Harmful cravings/desires
D4 All of which results in destruction and eternal ruin.
C7 A very serious warning from God—do not love money. Loving money will result in:
D1 Straying from the faith
E1 Because of loyalty to a new “god.” Luke 16:13 WEL “No household servant can serve two lords, for he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.” (Mammon is money, riches, possessions, wealth, stocks & bonds, etc.)
E2 Become religiously like the Pharisees: Luke 16:14 NASB Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.
D2 Piercing pains with many heartaches
E1 Worry, fear, etc. Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.
E2 Never satisfied: Ecclesiastes 5:10 NRSV The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.
E3 The temptation to think we have made ourselves rich and that God favors us above others: Proverbs 10:22 NRSV The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
E4 A warning: 1 John 2:15-17 NRSV Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
C8 Questions:
D1 What is God’s opinion of money?
D2 Where is our loyalty?
D3 Why might money be dangerous?
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