October 24, 2010 “Money Talks” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Giving is the Antidote to Greed Mark 10:21 — “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ... 1 Timothy 6:6-7, 17-19 — “But godliness with contentment is great gain... Luke 12:15-17a, 19b-21, 33 — “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’... Malachi 3:8-10 — “ ‘Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes and offerings… room enough for it.’ ”
I concluded this series of three messages on money with a statement from the Apostle Paul to his young protégé, Timothy. Paul has some very clear (and sometimes harsh-sounding) things to say about wealth and possessions. Follow his line of thinking. 1. In I Timothy 6:9-10, Paul writes one of his most famous phrases. Read it carefully and answer this question: “Is this true for me and my life?” In other words, are Paul’s warnings about money valid for you? 2. Do you know people who have been plunged into ruin by their love of money? What would you say to them? What keeps you from following the same path? 3. Why does Paul address the rich as the ‘rich in this present age’? What truth is he trying to tell Timothy? Read the Parable of the Rich Fool closely. (Luke 12:13ff) What life-lesson do you glean from this? 4. Note how Jesus noticed the giving of the poor widow. (Mark 12:41) Jesus is pointing out the value of total commitment as an act of worship. Read Mark 14:3-9. Jesus is commending (again) total commitment as an act of worship. In all honesty, what does that have to say to you? 5. I opened up a red umbrella in church. What point was I trying to make? I called it “Lordship Living”. What did you think about the concept: The life of a disciple is bringing every aspect of our life under the “Lordship” of Christ? 6. If you were asked to bring your time, your talents and your treasure under the Lordship of Christ, how would you feel about that? What specific changes or challenges do you think you would encounter or experience? 7. Share your “stewardship journey” as you heard Danny and Sandra McGee do at worship. What have been the high points of this journey of yours? Where else do you see your journey taking you? 8. Note the column to the left and the Scripture passages (look them up... they are only hinted at here). Do you agree with the premise that giving is the antidote to greed? Why or why not? What are other antidotes?