Today began a 4 part series at church. This week was the intro lesson based on 1 Timothy 6:17a. I say “a” because the pastor just used the very beginning of the verse to make a point:
“Command those who are rich in this present world…”
Go back. Read it again…I’ll wait…now ask yourself, “Is that verse talking to me? Am I rich?” I know how I’d answer that question–heck no! I’m not rich. We’re making the most money we’ve ever made right now but we’re not rich. So, it’s easy for me to skip over this verse or the tons of other money verses in the Bible, because I don’t feel rich.
So, what is rich? Here’s some funny examples the pastor gave:
- people who have so much money, they eat out whenever they feel like it. Then because they ate too much they pay every month for a gym membership…that they never use!
- people who have so much money they replace their perfectly good refrigerator with another refrigerator just like it! They replace counters, with new counters!
- people who have so much money they can fill their closets with clothes then say, “I don’t have anything to wear!”
Is that you? I think we still have a gym membership in Bham. Anybody want to use it?
You’ve heard the statistics like 1 out of 5 people in the world live on less than $1 a day. So, when we see the word “rich” in this verse we need to listen up! The Bible’s talking about us. If you’ve got enough money to get online and read this…you’re probably RICH. Yikes!
The message didn’t end with a “gotcha” or anything–it was just kind of a set up to the rest of the series. But we ended with repeating this, “God has blessed me with more than I need. I’m rich.” And you know, it’s true. I’ve got more than I need. So for the next 3 weeks, we’ll be learning to be responsible, generous and wise with the wealth He’s given us. Or I guess I could just read 1 Timothy 6:17B to see what I should do next!
(I found this at Shannon‘s, not at church. But you just have to see it!)
That was adorable!
We are rich, in this world for sure.
How sweet is that little girl!
I’ve noticed that I usually only feel rich when I’m in a foreign country (or serving the homeless here in the atl). That is silly though, because if I’m rich in one country, I’m rich everywhere, right?
It was funny. During the greeting time this morn, I turned to the girl beside me to tell her about my first paycheck (under force from the pastor) and HER first paycheck was from Starbucks! I gotta tell you, it was kinda weird.
Crazy, today at our church the Pastor was talking about coveting and he was saying that Americans spend unnecessary money and buy unnecessary things. He also said we should have do a fasting from unnecessary spending. It’s funny how those sorta connect! I love the video! That is so cute and powerful!!! That is a scripture passage I have been working on with Nora but we are not to that point of taping.:)
What a great message. I love going to your church through you. Thanks, a.