So much for those of us who don't have a lot materially – now for some words to those of us who have way more than we need (which, on a global scale, is virtually all of us) . . .
To wealthy Christians
Read 6:17. Notice that Paul does not command wealthy Christians to divest themselves of their wealth. Jesus may call us to do this for our own good – as He did with the rich young ruler (Mk. 10:21), but this is not the norm. Nor does he call on them to feel guilty about their wealth (assuming that they didn't gain it illicitly). Instead, Paul begins with a strong negative ("flee") – a warning about the special lies that wealth can lead us to believe.
"Not to be conceited" – How common it is for wealthy people to feel that their wealth makes them better or more important than non-wealthy people (MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY AD)! Often, the main appeal of wealth is to facilitate this prideful snobbery. To believe that being wealthy plays any part in my true worth, dignity, etc. is self-deception and to build my house on the sand (WOMAN AT CT: "WHERE ARE THE REAL PEOPLE?"). The only proper foundation for this is my identity in Christ plus nothing! "The ground is level at the foot of the cross." I, like everyone else, am a sinner worthy of God's condemnation – and yet the object of His love and forgiveness through faith in Christ.
"Not to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches" – How common it is for wealthy people to be lulled into the false security that their wealth is permanent (6:7; Lk. 12:19,20)! How common it is for wealthy people to believe that their wealth can protect them from any ultimate loss (FOREST FIRE PICTURE >> "Flee the wrath to come")! The only certainty and security in our lives is God – His character, His promises, His eternal kingdom.
Read 6:18,19. Here Paul describes the special positive ("pursue") challenge for wealthy Christians – to redefine true wealth, not in terms of the material surplus we have, but in terms of the surplus of what we do and give. This will make us truly wealthy in this life and secure true riches in the next life.
We become truly wealthy in this life by "doing good and by being rich in good works." These terms refer mainly to helpful personal involvement we render to others – e.g., to say something to comfort, to do something to bring joy, to bear a personal/emotional burden, to lighten a practical load, etc. Wealthy Christians sometimes feel (because of conceit) that these forms of service are "beneath them," and help only financially and from a distance. But this kind of "foot-washing" will help others in a key way, and it will enrich our own spirits as we do so.
We will become truly wealthy in the next life by being "generous and ready to share." It is an ironic tragedy that most wealthy Christians give financially less proportionately than do their non-wealthy brothers and sisters. The more we have, the more we feel we need. The more we have, the more protective of our stuff we may become. The bottom-line amount of our giving may indeed be far more than most others, but it may demonstrate a heart of far less sacrifice and love and trust in God. We may allow our many investments to prevent us from investing significantly in our "heavenly mutual fund" that will pay dividends of eternal joy.
I praise God that our church has so many generous Christians! As we come to the end of this year, our members' giving has almost fulfilled our General Fund budget ($6 million), and has completed the Warehouse building campaign ($5.4 million over 3 years), and has fully funded our HADF ($70,000+) and our Global Partnerships ($530,000+), and has supported our missionaries ($770,000), and gave generously for disaster relief ($142,000 over past two years). Many of you are becoming truly wealthy and laying up heavenly treasure! The rest of you are welcome to join us!
Conclusion
Summarize the ways we can contribute to the health of our church. Can you imagine what might happen if we fire on all cylinders in each of these areas?