BE RICH, Week 1: Think Right - Do Right

Today we are kicking off a brand new 3-week series, called “BE RICH”.    (I know what you’re thinking! – “You should give more” talk that churches are notorious for.)   And these assumptions and fears (that are legitimate at times) reflect that WE need to have a better understanding about the role money plays in our lives and how to have the right perspective when it comes to handling it.     This series isn’t necessarily about money… but about a mindset.  A mindset that reveals how “RICH” we really are.   It’s about having a spirit of radical generosity.   Generosity is something we as a church strive for… (Coffee, donuts, T-shirts, etc)   The hallmark of Christianity is radical generosity.    …Let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. 1 John 3:18 (MSG)   (Costco Samples)   That’s our job… in everything we do, to give people a sample of how GOOD God is!   Radical Generosity communicates something beyond meeting needs… it demonstrates LOVE in a tangible way.     (“I don’t know about them… I may not agree with them… but that group, they are the most generous people I know… They know how to love people and are making a difference!”)   Transition:  It’s clear that generosity is something God wants us to be known for…but generosity is not first an action, but a mindset.  So, before we can truly live right, we have to think right… because the way we think, affects the way we behave.   For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)   In fact, real Christianity… a true follower of Jesus is defined in this way:   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)   God clearly has a different plan for us that we can’t figure out on our own… thinking our way.    “Think Right – Do Right” Over the next 3 weeks we are going to look at an interesting letter the Apostle Paul (church planter) wrote to Timothy (Young Pastor of the church in Ephesus). Applicable to your life / But it was directed to Timothy as a Pastored his church.  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.    18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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 (NIV)   (Instructions about what NOT to do AND what TO do…)   Why do we need this?  Because generally rich people aren’t very good at it…   Statistically it’s proven… that the more money American’s make, the less we give.    Paul is teaching Timothy… As a pastor, teach your people who are rich… to be good at it.  To understand you have the resources you do, for a reason!  (The government…)    Transition: This is about a perspective shift… to change the way we look out our money and to learn how to live with radical generosity.    We are going to learn… that we all are richer than we think and we have to learn to be good at it!   Why is this such a big deal?  Why does this need to be talked about? (3 reasons)   1.Rich people don’t like to admit they are rich.   Tall People = “I’m tall.” Athletes = “I’m athletic.” Singers = “I sing.” Vegetarian = “I don’t eat meet.”   But being rich… is not something we don’t admit.   Gallup pole: How much money would you have to make to be considered rich?   Rich = $150,000   They asked those who make $30-34,000…   Rich = $75,000   They asked the subscribers of money magazine…   Rich = $5,000,000   Conclusion:  Nobody is rich but everybody knows somebody who is. What does this have to do with me?   If you make between $44k – $48k in combined household income… you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world!   Not at the $44k mark?  You have running water… You don’t have to worry about running out.  We spray it on the ground!   Transition:  Here’s the point… we are blessed!  We have more than we need.  We are rich!   NOT so we can obtain more stuff… or provide more comfort… but so we can do something with it!   You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)   You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way... 2 Corinthians 9:11 (CEB)   2.Rich people are plagued with discontentment.   Simply put… The more you have, the more you want.  (Appetite… clothes)   Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers 12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 (NLT)   Our wealth (however excessive), is not about us.      Obtaining wealth just to keep it is a horrible way to live and just perpetuates the human condition of discontentment.  (kids – toys – box / UPGRADES – iphone)   Having and enjoying stuff isn’t bad… but it’s not the end goal.    We just need reminded out that.   3.Rich people live with a false sense of security.   We believe we can build our way to safety… financial security.  (As if that were such a thing)   “If I save enough…I can protect myself from anything bad that could happen.”   The truth is… “How much would you need to become financially secure against anything?  More than you currently have.”   The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Proverbs 18:11 (NIV)   I’m not saying don’t save or live foolishly… But to ask the question:  “Where is my hope?”   Your HOPE will migrate to your money.    Again this is not… “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE ANYTHING!” (Gnostic Gospels)   Transition:  SO how do we change this?     (Your expectations of what I’m going to say… guilt...)   We just need to change our thinking… to THINK RIGHT   1.  I will be grateful.   David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (NIV)   Gratitude keeps our perspective in the right place.     (No room for pride… selfishness… discontentment.)   Gratitude makes you more generous… that’s our goal as a church!   Everything we have and have done… It’s GOD!  We fight to never take it for granted.  We didn’t earn this… It’s a privilege!! (Greenroom sign)   Result = Gratitude makes us more generous   2.  I will lead with generosity    Simply put… before I spend, I will give.   Our focus shifts from us and stuff… to others and need!   “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)   So the question becomes, where do you want your heart? (Your house? Car?  Iphone? Your own success?)   I want my heart… in a place of Godly peace, not financial security.   I want my heart… in a place of gratitude, not discontentment. I want my heart… invested in eternal purpose, not fleeting glory.    You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’” Acts 20:35 (MSG)   Result = Generosity leads, your heart follows.   3.  I will put my hope in God.   Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV)   The chief competitor of your soul is your stuff.    When He is our Hope…   Result = I will not trust in riches, but in Him who richly provides.   Big Idea: We are rich… lets be good at it.   Challenge:  It’s easy to migrate away fro God…   Salvation:  God take control of my life… It’s the easiest thing you will ever do, but I will cost you everything.