How to Use What We Earn Wisely! -- 1 Timothy 6:3-21
How to Use What We Earn Wisely! -- 1 Timothy 6:3-21
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 20, 2008 AM
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” “A fool and his money are soon parted.” “The buck stops here.” “Money talks.” “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11) “With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.” (Proverbs 8:18) These are all bits of wisdom that use money in them in some form. Why are these snippets remembered by so many in our society but others not so much? I believe it is because we have placed an improper role for wealth. How about these: “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6) “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10) Or that “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.” (Proverbs 2:12) These too should be important to us, but few remember them as well. Why? Spiritual wisdom in today’s society is seen as foolishness, while worldly wisdom is seen as beneficial. The Bible relates that the exact opposite is true: “The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.” (Proverbs 14:24)
Just because a person is wealthy does not mean they are very wise. In fact, it could mean the opposite is true. You can gain the whole world and forfeit your soul. And Paul knew this to be true. He wanted Timothy to never forget where real wisdom and wealth came from. What makes a man a man is not always found in what he earns in life, it is found in what he learns in life. Let’s discover what Paul teaches Timothy about how to use what we earn wisely…
READ: 1 Timothy 6:3-21
Education does not bring about true wisdom. In fact, you can be exceptionally smart but spiritually stupid. As my Daddy would say, “You can be too smart for your own britches.” Paul told Timothy how to use what he earned wisely…
I. When the love of knowledge makes one ignorant! (vv. 3-6)
1. There are a lot of smart people who are very ignorant! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) It is interesting how money can skew a person’s theology, making them think that because they are successful God loves them. This is simply not true. Paul reminds Timothy that this spiritual conceit begins with teaching “false doctrines.” Loving something more than God always perverts a person’s picture of Jesus. Paul related that these people will “not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching.” Why? The truth of their ungodliness would be found out immediately! Like Ananias and Sapphira who greedily sold some land and kept part of their earnings a secret while suggesting they gave all of it to glorify God. (Acts 5) They were “conceited and [understood] nothing” because they wanted to receive the accolades but not go through the personal sacrifice. Like perverted TBN preachers these people have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” Paul is telling Timothy to run from such ungodliness, because “godliness with contentment is great gain.” That is where real wisdom comes from. Knowledge in of itself will not lead you to the Lord. In fact, a person can become so enamored with their own wisdom, they become spiritually ignorant.
EXAMPLE: Remember a few years ago where they showed a chimpanzee or a gorilla using sign language and how they had learned so many words? While the mainstream media touted this as “proof” that these simians were somehow related to us because they had the ability to use sign language is, well, stupid. Many animals can learn words and understand to use them in order to get a banana or chimp cookie, but few could use them to write a thesis on the hardships of captivity as a trained ape. In fact, it is a good example of how even a little knowledge can leave one ignorant. Not the apes, but rather those who tried to claim these apes were intelligent by the use of sign language. It is a learned response. There are folks who claim to be Christians that exhibit the same kind of ignorance thinking that simply because they have wealth, good looks, intelligence or natural abilities they have an “in” with God. Paul would say, your knowledge is making you ignorant.
The world looks at the rich and thinks, “They have it all,” yet the rich looks at the world and thinks, “I do not have enough.” Paul related to Timothy how to use what he earned wisely…
II. When the love of things gets ungodly! (vv. 7-10)
1. There are a lot of wealthy people that are very poor! “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” (Proverbs 17:16) Far too often people forget where everything in life comes from – the Lord! Paul reminds his protégé that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” We come into the world with all that God has given us and then far too often we think that what we acquire in life is as important as what we first brought with us. It is not. Rich or poor every man shares the same fate and that is the ultimate physical poverty. Paul had learned that “if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Why? “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.” It is not that money in of itself is evil, but rather “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” It stands to reason that “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Earning a good wage, having a good salary, or trying to get ahead in life is not the problem Paul sees here. It is when a person’s life focus becomes so messed up because of trying to gain wealth, then it leads to evil. Or when money becomes an end all in a person’s life whereby they no longer think they need the Lord, they have become spiritually poor. And it is not just found in money. It is when the love of things becomes ungodly.
EXAMPLE: We have all read the stories of some destitute person dying impoverished, living in squallier, while all the while being wealthy because they invested in some stock years ago, had money in their mattress, or lived on top of the largest diamond in the world. We feel saddened, perhaps a little bit superior, or just plain glad it wasn’t us! However, when we look at the world do we try to gain as much of it as we can in order to find happiness or to use it for the glory of God? Paul left the Corinthians with a great little piece of advice: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is exactly what he was trying to teach Timothy and us today! He related how to use what you have earned wisely when the love of things gets ungodly.
A wise person learns that you cannot take anything with you when you die, but you can invest what you learn and earn for eternity. Paul leaves Timothy with a piece of godly wisdom on how to use what he earned wisely…
III. When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand! (vv. 11-21)
1. Life is not found in influence or affluence! “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 11:4) Paul reminds his friend Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Notice the contrast between those who love gain rather than God? The godly “pursue” worthwhile things in life. We all need to “Fight the good fight of the faith,” and remember to “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Far too often in the midst of life, we forget whose we are. Jesus never did while walking this earth. In fact, because of Jesus we are “to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!’ When will that be? No one knows. But Timothy, like us right now, are charged with three things by the Apostle Paul to remember to do: 1) 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. 2) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. And 3) we are to “guard what has been entrusted to [our] care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” Because “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.” When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand.
EXAMPLE: Over the years I have conducted funerals for very wealthy individuals and for very poor ones as well. I have seen coffins that were richly ornate and ones made out of cardboard. I have seen hundreds of folks weep and I have seen just two strangers show up to pay their respect. From bikers to businessmen all of them had one thing in common: They were dead. I am not trying to be crass here but the truth is that for many whatever is marked on their stone or slab of concrete will be all that is left of their life. Any houses, money, lands, or goods will be divided up, used, and gone within short order. In fact, in a few decades, few will remember them at all unless they have their name plastered on the side of some building that is named after them. When the final lid is closed, what did they truly invest their lives in? Paul teaches us how to use what we have earned wisely because when wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand! Do you know the Lord and live for Him?
Conclusion:
Paul teaches us this morning what truly matters in life. He gets kind of nitty-gritty with Timothy but leaves us with these three things to remember in how to use what we have earned wisely: When the love of knowledge makes one ignorant! When the love of things gets ungodly! When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand!
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 20, 2008 AM
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” “A fool and his money are soon parted.” “The buck stops here.” “Money talks.” “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11) “With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.” (Proverbs 8:18) These are all bits of wisdom that use money in them in some form. Why are these snippets remembered by so many in our society but others not so much? I believe it is because we have placed an improper role for wealth. How about these: “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6) “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10) Or that “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.” (Proverbs 2:12) These too should be important to us, but few remember them as well. Why? Spiritual wisdom in today’s society is seen as foolishness, while worldly wisdom is seen as beneficial. The Bible relates that the exact opposite is true: “The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.” (Proverbs 14:24)
Just because a person is wealthy does not mean they are very wise. In fact, it could mean the opposite is true. You can gain the whole world and forfeit your soul. And Paul knew this to be true. He wanted Timothy to never forget where real wisdom and wealth came from. What makes a man a man is not always found in what he earns in life, it is found in what he learns in life. Let’s discover what Paul teaches Timothy about how to use what we earn wisely…
READ: 1 Timothy 6:3-21
Education does not bring about true wisdom. In fact, you can be exceptionally smart but spiritually stupid. As my Daddy would say, “You can be too smart for your own britches.” Paul told Timothy how to use what he earned wisely…
I. When the love of knowledge makes one ignorant! (vv. 3-6)
1. There are a lot of smart people who are very ignorant! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) It is interesting how money can skew a person’s theology, making them think that because they are successful God loves them. This is simply not true. Paul reminds Timothy that this spiritual conceit begins with teaching “false doctrines.” Loving something more than God always perverts a person’s picture of Jesus. Paul related that these people will “not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching.” Why? The truth of their ungodliness would be found out immediately! Like Ananias and Sapphira who greedily sold some land and kept part of their earnings a secret while suggesting they gave all of it to glorify God. (Acts 5) They were “conceited and [understood] nothing” because they wanted to receive the accolades but not go through the personal sacrifice. Like perverted TBN preachers these people have “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” Paul is telling Timothy to run from such ungodliness, because “godliness with contentment is great gain.” That is where real wisdom comes from. Knowledge in of itself will not lead you to the Lord. In fact, a person can become so enamored with their own wisdom, they become spiritually ignorant.
EXAMPLE: Remember a few years ago where they showed a chimpanzee or a gorilla using sign language and how they had learned so many words? While the mainstream media touted this as “proof” that these simians were somehow related to us because they had the ability to use sign language is, well, stupid. Many animals can learn words and understand to use them in order to get a banana or chimp cookie, but few could use them to write a thesis on the hardships of captivity as a trained ape. In fact, it is a good example of how even a little knowledge can leave one ignorant. Not the apes, but rather those who tried to claim these apes were intelligent by the use of sign language. It is a learned response. There are folks who claim to be Christians that exhibit the same kind of ignorance thinking that simply because they have wealth, good looks, intelligence or natural abilities they have an “in” with God. Paul would say, your knowledge is making you ignorant.
The world looks at the rich and thinks, “They have it all,” yet the rich looks at the world and thinks, “I do not have enough.” Paul related to Timothy how to use what he earned wisely…
II. When the love of things gets ungodly! (vv. 7-10)
1. There are a lot of wealthy people that are very poor! “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” (Proverbs 17:16) Far too often people forget where everything in life comes from – the Lord! Paul reminds his protégé that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” We come into the world with all that God has given us and then far too often we think that what we acquire in life is as important as what we first brought with us. It is not. Rich or poor every man shares the same fate and that is the ultimate physical poverty. Paul had learned that “if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Why? “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.” It is not that money in of itself is evil, but rather “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” It stands to reason that “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Earning a good wage, having a good salary, or trying to get ahead in life is not the problem Paul sees here. It is when a person’s life focus becomes so messed up because of trying to gain wealth, then it leads to evil. Or when money becomes an end all in a person’s life whereby they no longer think they need the Lord, they have become spiritually poor. And it is not just found in money. It is when the love of things becomes ungodly.
EXAMPLE: We have all read the stories of some destitute person dying impoverished, living in squallier, while all the while being wealthy because they invested in some stock years ago, had money in their mattress, or lived on top of the largest diamond in the world. We feel saddened, perhaps a little bit superior, or just plain glad it wasn’t us! However, when we look at the world do we try to gain as much of it as we can in order to find happiness or to use it for the glory of God? Paul left the Corinthians with a great little piece of advice: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is exactly what he was trying to teach Timothy and us today! He related how to use what you have earned wisely when the love of things gets ungodly.
A wise person learns that you cannot take anything with you when you die, but you can invest what you learn and earn for eternity. Paul leaves Timothy with a piece of godly wisdom on how to use what he earned wisely…
III. When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand! (vv. 11-21)
1. Life is not found in influence or affluence! “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 11:4) Paul reminds his friend Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Notice the contrast between those who love gain rather than God? The godly “pursue” worthwhile things in life. We all need to “Fight the good fight of the faith,” and remember to “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Far too often in the midst of life, we forget whose we are. Jesus never did while walking this earth. In fact, because of Jesus we are “to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!’ When will that be? No one knows. But Timothy, like us right now, are charged with three things by the Apostle Paul to remember to do: 1) 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. 2) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. And 3) we are to “guard what has been entrusted to [our] care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” Because “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.” When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand.
EXAMPLE: Over the years I have conducted funerals for very wealthy individuals and for very poor ones as well. I have seen coffins that were richly ornate and ones made out of cardboard. I have seen hundreds of folks weep and I have seen just two strangers show up to pay their respect. From bikers to businessmen all of them had one thing in common: They were dead. I am not trying to be crass here but the truth is that for many whatever is marked on their stone or slab of concrete will be all that is left of their life. Any houses, money, lands, or goods will be divided up, used, and gone within short order. In fact, in a few decades, few will remember them at all unless they have their name plastered on the side of some building that is named after them. When the final lid is closed, what did they truly invest their lives in? Paul teaches us how to use what we have earned wisely because when wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand! Do you know the Lord and live for Him?
Conclusion:
Paul teaches us this morning what truly matters in life. He gets kind of nitty-gritty with Timothy but leaves us with these three things to remember in how to use what we have earned wisely: When the love of knowledge makes one ignorant! When the love of things gets ungodly! When wealth and wisdom fail, it is good to remember what is worthwhile beforehand!
---
NOTE: This article is copyrighted by Pastor Lee Hemen © 2008 and the property of Pastor Lee Hemen. You are welcome to copy it, email it, or use it but please if you copy it, email it, or use it you must do so in its entirety.
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