The following blog post contains notes and application questions from our June 10, 2018 message, How to be Rich: What's Your Story? This message is part of our "How to be Rich" series. See other messages in this series.
Summary
We have a problem...there is something that is preventing us from being truly rich. What is it? A lack of contentment and a greed and desire for more. Todd shows us from 1 Timothy 6:3-16 how contentment in Christ is the only antidote to our problem.
Key Takeaways
- There are billions of dollars spent every year to make us discontent.
- All marketers are liars/story tellers.
- False teachers are the most dangerous marketers out there.
- What “story” you follow will determine what the middle and end of your story will be.
- Hedonistic adaptation is a real thing. You will never be happy where you are not until you are happy where you are. – Oswald Chambers
- A man is rich in direct proportion to the number of things he can live without. – Henry David Thoreau
- There is only one story that is true and that truly satisfies.
- The rich are infinitely better off than the poor because while the poor still think that money can buy them happiness, the rich know better.
- False stories always have tragic endings.
- Ideas have consequences and bad ideas always have victims.
- We have to pursue, practice and proclaim the story of life for the glory of God and the good of others.
- The way to be rich is to pursue the one True and only Good God.
- Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Then come to Jesus and be rich in Him.
- If you want to have true riches you need to know the God who is immortal and offers abundant life for you.
- What you ask your “wizard” for matters.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Where are you most prone to be discontent in your life: spouse, kids, family, work, income, car, house, friends, neighbors, etc.? Identify your most probable area of discontent, share it with your community group, and ask them to help you come up with one way to strengthen your contentment in Christ this next week.
- How you understand the purpose of the commandments says a lot about how you view your King. What did Todd say was the purpose of the commandments?
- What is your heart prone to making an idol out of in your life? How can you put that idol to death and worship Christ instead?
- When was the last time you were a victim to a bad idea? How can you make sure you don’t fall victim to that same idea again in the future?
- Start a “thankfulness journal” and write down three things you are thankful for every day for a week. Whenever you feel yourself becoming discontent, open your journal, read what you’ve written down, and then add to the list.
- What are some things you think you need that are really only your wants?
- What do you want to ask your “wizard” for? (Read Proverbs 30:7-9; 23:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:11-16)
Mentioned or Recommended Resources
Suggested Scripture Study: Matthew 6:19-24; John 10:8-11; 1 Timothy 6:3-16; Philippians 4:6-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1,11-16; James 1:2-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Colossians 3:1-5