3 Wealth Warnings

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

This past Sunday, I attended church at Paso Robles Community Church. My Pastor, Shawn Penn, shared a sermon with us. It’s a part of a series called ‘Forget You’.

Sunday’s message – November 17th – Forget You: Less Stuff.

He started with this passage: 1 Timothy 6:17-18

17 – 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.

From verse 17, he unpacked 3 Wealth Warnings that really caught my attention.

3 Wealth Warnings

Don’t be Arrogant

17a – Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant

Arrogant defined: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.

As wealthy people, we are cautioned to not think we’re all that and a bag of chips. One can be wealthy, and be humble. Don’t think that just because you have more resources that you can treat others as if they are beneath you.

Admire, but don’t acquire

17b – nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,

The caution here is to not buy more stuff trying to be happy. You’re caught up in having the stuff, with no regard to anything else.
This is not saying that it’s bad to have nice things; however, we are warned to not get caught up in all ‘the stuff’ – making ‘your stuff’ more important than the people around you.

Don’t Apologize

17c – but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

I remember watching ‘The River Runs Through It’ with Brad Pitt. In this movie, he went fishing with his dad and brother. Dad was a devout Christian minister. On this day, they all caught fish, but dad caught the biggest fish.

As the men were comparing fish, Dad says,’ God has blessed us all today…. Some more than others.’

I laughed hysterically when I saw that, but today it really hits home. God blesses us differently, and we shouldn’t belittle or try to apologize for what God has blessed us with.

Click here to listen to the entire sermon.

Keep marching forward,

LuSundra