Money: Good, Bad, or Ugly?
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
God made the material world, richly providing us with everything for our enjoyment (1Tim 6:17). And money facilitates such enjoyment. Also, business needs money to support their employees and grow. So money is good.
But according to the Bible, the love of money is foolish and the root of evil. 1Tim6:9-10.
So, is money good or bad? Let’s learn from 1Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19.
First, if the rich thinks they are superior, not just financially smart, then they are foolish and even non-teachable. If they further believe they are great because of the good work done through their wealth, they are in a deep sinkhole. We are good only through God’s grace. So, Paul “commanded” the rich not to be arrogant (1Tim 6:17).
Second, as we move up the social bracket, if we let luxuries become necessities and try to keep up with the Joneses, we just want more. Then money becomes an addiction.
Christ told us to be on guard against greed (Luke 12:15). It is easy to see if we have killed someone. But difficult to see greed.
How to escape the trap of money?
Be content in all situations (1Tim 6:6 & Phil 4:12).
We came naked, and we leave naked. Wealth, accomplishments, nothing we could take with us (1Tim 6:7 & Job 1:21). Be content where we are. Yet, some believe wealth could bring security. They try to cover up their helplessness and nakedness with wealth, making them unwilling to part with it. But wealth can’t give us security.
Be aware that true wealth and security come from grace, from us being God’s children.
Our goodness is through Christ’s suffering, an innocent sufferer’s suffering. He was stripped naked so we could be clothed and safe. Through Him, death isn’t an executioner, but a gardener, making us better through death. Through Christ, we become God’s treasure, valuable and secure.
Lead a simple life.
As we have more wealth, though we could live more extravagantly, still keep a simple life. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).
To conclude, nothing is wrong to be rich (See Abraham and Job). Enjoying material life is fine. But, don’t love wealth and don’t be arrogant because of it. Instead, use money. Be generous, willing to share, and rich in good deeds (1Tim 6:18). Make Christ our treasure. Then we will be genuinely secure and wealthy.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-and-money-6028/
But according to the Bible, the love of money is foolish and the root of evil. 1Tim6:9-10.
So, is money good or bad? Let’s learn from 1Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19.
First, if the rich thinks they are superior, not just financially smart, then they are foolish and even non-teachable. If they further believe they are great because of the good work done through their wealth, they are in a deep sinkhole. We are good only through God’s grace. So, Paul “commanded” the rich not to be arrogant (1Tim 6:17).
Second, as we move up the social bracket, if we let luxuries become necessities and try to keep up with the Joneses, we just want more. Then money becomes an addiction.
Christ told us to be on guard against greed (Luke 12:15). It is easy to see if we have killed someone. But difficult to see greed.
How to escape the trap of money?
Be content in all situations (1Tim 6:6 & Phil 4:12).
We came naked, and we leave naked. Wealth, accomplishments, nothing we could take with us (1Tim 6:7 & Job 1:21). Be content where we are. Yet, some believe wealth could bring security. They try to cover up their helplessness and nakedness with wealth, making them unwilling to part with it. But wealth can’t give us security.
Be aware that true wealth and security come from grace, from us being God’s children.
Our goodness is through Christ’s suffering, an innocent sufferer’s suffering. He was stripped naked so we could be clothed and safe. Through Him, death isn’t an executioner, but a gardener, making us better through death. Through Christ, we become God’s treasure, valuable and secure.
Lead a simple life.
As we have more wealth, though we could live more extravagantly, still keep a simple life. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).
To conclude, nothing is wrong to be rich (See Abraham and Job). Enjoying material life is fine. But, don’t love wealth and don’t be arrogant because of it. Instead, use money. Be generous, willing to share, and rich in good deeds (1Tim 6:18). Make Christ our treasure. Then we will be genuinely secure and wealthy.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-and-money-6028/