Two Kinds of Rich

May 3, 2000

(cf September 27, 1998 AM Letters to Live By)

1 Timothy 6:6 ...godliness, with contentment

Luke 16:19-31

I. JESUS TELLS A STORY, A STORY OF CONTRASTS

Here in Luke 16 is a story full of contrasts. Jesus has painted a word- picture— a sketch, really— of two men who could hardly have been more different from each other in every way. One had more money than he knew what to do with. The other was poverty- stricken. One evidently had the best in health care. The other had disgusting open sores.

One had great parties with the V.I.P.-types over for dinner. The other ate out of the garbage. While they were alive not many people would have wanted to be Lazarus. After they both died NO one would trade places with the rich man. They were contrasts in their eternal destinies as well.

Why do you suppose Jesus ever told this story? What was He telling us? (Well, actually a story is a story. And you might get a different lesson from the one I get.) I can tell you what I hear Him saying. And I can tell you what Paul told Timothy in Letters to Live By.

Jesus is NOT saying that it is a sin to be rich. Jesus is NOT saying that it is good to be poverty stricken. Jesus IS saying that there are spiritual dimensions in life that go far beyond even extremes like these in the story. Jesus is also saying— at least I am hearing— that it is not what we have or do not have that ultimately makes us "rich." It sounds impossible, but the truly "rich" are those who have discovered, or are discovering the "contentment factor."

This spiritual "contentment" is not a loss of the challenge to grow in every way. It is not a slovenly laziness that believes that "the world owes me a living." It is the sense that even though we are on a journey, and we haven't arrived, yet we are walking with our Father, and we are in the center of His will for NOW! Jesus is saying that money can't buy LIFE.

"You can gain the whole world and still lose your soul !!" Jesus IS saying that hardship and extreme circumstances can't keep a person from eternal life. The angels knew where to find Lazarus. The name "Lazarus" is a clue, I really believe. Lazarus is the Latinized form of the Hebrew Eleazar which means "God is my help", and he is the only character mentioned by name in any of our Lord's parables.

We are pilgrims on a journey. This world is not our final home. Still we can be "at home" while we are on our way home. God is our contentment. "Godliness with contentment is GREAT gain!" It isn't a sin to have a lot of money. It isn't any fun to be in poverty. But money is NOT the "bottom line" for Christians. There are spiritual dimensions in life that will make us or break us eternally. This is where our "Letters to Live By" lesson from Paul comes in:

II. LOVING ADVICE ACROSS THE GENERATIONS

Paul is very practical. He says: Your attitude toward money will make you or break you! He deals directly with the matter of "riches." But before we look at his advice let me return to a theme from last week. I believe it is important enough to stress one more time. Hear what he says to Timothy, a young man— his "son in the faith": (1 Timothy 6:11) "But you, O man of God!!"
Paul (the seasoned veteran) addresses Timothy (the "next generation") as "MAN OF GOD!" Paul challenges Timothy to step up and be a full partner in the Body of Christ! Yes, it takes time to develop the gifts and graces God gives each of us. BUT we do not need to be "second-class Christians" even one day! We, you and I, are called to be men and women of God! You are not the church of yesterday if you happen to be retired! You are a vital part of the church right now! You are vital, you are needed!
You are a man of God! A woman of God! You are not the church of tomorrow if you happen to be in school! Your task, your job right now IS SCHOOL! You are to prepare and sharpen your skills. But right now! YOU ARE A MAN OF GOD! YOU ARE A WOMAN OF GOD!
Paul warns: Your attitude toward money will make you or break you! It is very easy to be driven by a financial "bottom line." Here is an often misquoted verse; how many times have you heard MONEY is the root of all evil'?? Of course Paul does not say that at all. He says, "The LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil." The ambition solely to make money is a trap that feeds selfishness. Money is a wonderful servant, but it is a deadly master. Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money."
Then Paul repeats the "call to arms" that we heard last week. Remember then he said "That you might wage a good warfare." Your attitude toward money will make you or break you! Do you recall the weapons he mentioned then? Faith and a good conscience. Here Paul gives two battle commands: [Flee, run away, shun,] AND [pursue, follow, cling to]. Flee the selfish ambitions of this world: (see 4 - 10) Follow, pursue: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

III. CALLED TO TRUE RICHES

Quality of life is always a spiritual dimension. But we still do not believe it! Proverbs 30:8 says "Give me neither poverty nor riches . . " A very wise young pastor and academician named John Piper wrote a book several years ago called "Desiring God: Confessions of a Christian Hedonist." The idea of connecting the words "Christian" and "hedonist" caused some raising of eyebrows.

But Piper got his point across: the best and highest satisfactions come from God's blessing of making Himself known to us, his children. The name-it-and-claim-it people set their sights far too low. They are despicable, like the government lottery industries are despicable; they play on the hopes of poor people to suddenly find all their problems solved by winning a sweepstakes. God does not exist to be our servant, to give us every whim we think we need or want. We are not the center of the spiritual universe.

God is at the Center of all Existence. The heavens declare his glory. The angels sing his praises. The Eternal Son of God came to earth saying, "I delight to do Your Will, O God!" When we begin to get this relationship straight and understand the Covenant, we find that as God is our helper (Lazarus, Eleazar) and as we seek to live to His glory we are rich beyond all understanding! Selfish ambition - to wealth, or to power, or to fame - can never find satisfaction. Stay the course! You will find tribulation and challenges and pain whatever course you choose. But if you make it your purpose to walk with God you will find that you have a Companion with you in joy and sorrow.

Conclusion

One day Peter said to Jesus: "Lord, we have left everything to follow You!" Do you remember what Jesus said it reply?" Jesus had said that it was harder for a worldly-type rich man to enter the kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. (See Mark 10) But when Peter said what he said, that he was "poor,"

Jesus answered: "Truly, no one leaves anything for me but he receives a hundred-fold back in this life! Yes, there is persecution! There is pain! But you will have family! You will have shelter! You will have what you need! And in the world to come you will live with Me forever!"

Prayer

O God, who declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

#707 Freely, Freely