Of Faith and Riches

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered on Sunday morning, the 11th of November, 2018 at Pilgrim Reformed Church.  Look for the video of this and our other services on our Vimeo channel:  http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]

When we think about the Apostle Paul, we don’t generally associate him with great wealth or riches.  By all accounts, he gave up everything in service to our Lord.  In fact, during his lengthy stays in prison and under house arrest, he only got by through the kindness and generosity of the churches he had helped establish, primarily the church in Philippi.  But physical wealth and monetary riches aren’t the only kind.  Paul was certainly wealthy indeed in spiritual riches.

Please listen and follow along to some of the instructions Paul gave his young protégé and friend, from chapter 6 of his 1st letter to Timothy, verses 6 through 12 and 17 through 19, and I’ll be reading from the Modern English Version of our Holy Bible…

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these things. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil. While coveting after money, some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, escape these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

17 Command those who are rich in this world that they not be conceited, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who richly gives us all things to enjoy. 18 Command that they do good, that they be rich in good works, generous, willing to share, 19 and laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of eternal life.

--1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19 (MEV)

Let us pray…  Father God, You give us so much.  Please help us be content with what we have, with what You give us.  Speak to us this morning, Father, with the message You need us to hear.  Give us a better understanding of how our faith and our service to You help pave our way toward eternal life with You.  This we pray in the glorious name of Your Son and our Christ, Jesus.   Amen.


How rich is rich?  According to a survey of people who ought to know, as reported in the November 11th, 1991 issue of USA Today, the answer is anywhere from $1 million to $5 million in assets. Investment managers Neuberger & Bergman sponsored the survey of people who stand to give or receive inheritances with median household assets of $500,000.  Paradoxically, 55% of those whose assets ranged from $1 million to $5 million didn't consider themselves to be wealthy.


Do you remember the story from the Gospel account of Matthew of the rich young man who asked Jesus what he needed to do to gain eternal life?  Jesus told him to keep God’s commandments.  The young man responded he’d done that all his life.  Jesus said, “Then go and sell all your possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Me”.  The young man turned away, sad and despondent, because he had many possessions and he couldn’t bear to part with them.  His worldly riches were more important to him than any spiritual wealth he might accumulate.

Now the interesting thing is, if we look at what that young man might have possessed in his day and compare it to what most of us have today, we would be seen as far richer than he, as measured by earthly possessions.  Even by today’s standards, we in America are wealthy indeed when compared to most of the people of the world.  Just having enough food to eat and clean water to drink each day is nothing but a dream to millions.  Which is dearer to us: our worldly possessions, or what we may be storing away in heaven?


Jesus used parables – word pictures, if you will – when trying to explain subjects or ideas that are difficult for us to grasp, such as when He tried to tell us what heaven is like.  In the Gospel account of the Apostle Matthew, chapter 13, verses 45 and 46, Jesus said…

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

--Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)

What awaits us in heaven is so precious, so beautiful, so desirable, that we should be willing to give up all our worldly possessions for it, just as the merchant sold all he had just to get that one pearl.  Worldly riches cannot even compare in splendor or worth to heavenly riches.


Paul wrote a 2nd letter to Timothy, from prison, as his time on earth was drawing to a close.  He knew his end was near, but he didn’t want his young friend to grieve for him.  In chapter 4 of this 2nd letter to Timothy, verses 6 through 8, Paul wrote…

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

--2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV)

His life was being poured out as a drink offering to God, but his faith remained constant, strong, and true.  For he knew that his crown of righteousness, the crown Jesus will give him, was waiting for him in heaven.

And a crown awaits each of us, too.  All manner of riches are there for us, when Jesus welcomes us home with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Of course, that all depends on our remaining faithful, like Paul.  And, also like Paul, on our being good servants.

The world treasures wealth and possessions – things.  The world measures a person by how much they have, how much they are worth.  God measures a person by what is in their heart.  He places value on what we believe, and what we do with our belief.  His balance sheet compares what He has given us with what we have returned to Him, and I don’t mean just with our Sunday offerings but with how we spend our time as well as our resources.

Do we share our many blessings with others in their times of need?  Do we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the ill and the prisoners?  Or do we cave in to the world and place greater value on earthly possessions than on our promised rewards in heaven?

God sees our hearts, and we will be judged.  When Jesus stands before us, let us be seen in His eyes as completely poured out as an offering to God.  May our riches be counted only in heaven.  In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.


Let us pray…  Father God, help us be content with all You give us in this life, and help us share what You give with others who are not as blessed as us.  Forgive us, Father, when we value our possessions more than what You promise us in heaven.  Forgive us when we fail to lay up a good foundation in paradise, preferring instead to hoard things of this life.  Please help us see the truth of heaven.  Help us more clearly understand the difference between physical wealth and spiritual riches.   Please show us what You expect of us and how we might better serve You.

Please hear us now, Father, as we come to You in the silence, speaking from our hearts, promising to turn from our sin, and asking for Your help by our faith to serve You in all we do…

Lord Jesus, You tried to tell us that the things of this world have no measure in riches when compared to what we will receive in heaven if we just keep our faith, continue to believe and be true to You, and serve our Father God as You direct us.  Forgive us, Lord, when it pains us to share our earthly wealth with others who have less.  Please help us, Jesus, to see how a far greater reward awaits us when we do God’s will.  Help us be more giving, of our resources, of our time, of our love.

This we pray in Your glorious name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and our Savior.  Amen.