HOW TO BE RICH...... But not with money

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Contact: David Parham 817-438-2346

Website: www.internetbible.net

E-mail: davidparham@internetbible.net

Many today put their trust in worldly riches. After acquiring the riches, most find no satisfaction from their wealth. Today, let’s look at what it takes to be truly rich, and that is to be rich towards God. We are going to go begin by going over the basic fundamentals, and then elaborate on the entire subject in our next study.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

One of the primary things most high school seniors plan on doing is to go to college, get a degree, and then over the next few years, acquire enough money to become rich. I remember those same goals and desires, and if you look around you, many of those you work with are still chasing that dream. Perhaps you are in that battle right now, and expect to accomplish this in the next 5 - 10 years. I’ll guarantee you that people that go down and place money on one of those lottery tickets have a desire to get a lot of money for nothing. A lot of joy seems to follow those that win those lucky jackpots, but if you look at the people and the havoc left after reaping these big gold mines, the story is not too happy in the end. Some can deal with money, but few can if they get it easy.

David asked the Lord to not give him too much and not too little, and I think we all must realize that God knows best for us and that he and he alone provides for us as we have needs.

If we want to really be rich, we must forget about this life and look totally and wholly to God for our subsistence. When we do that, we can be rich beyond belief. Not riches that the world seeks, but true riches, the kind that give peace and happiness and last on into eternity.

1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

This morning, we don’t have time enough to go into much detail about the riches that God can provide for us, but I want us to read a few of the verses, and then we will expound upon this and go into detail about true riches. God’s Word has a lot to say about riches, and there are many warnings about looking to money when we must look to God.

Job 27:19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

Job 27:20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

Psa 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Psa 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psa 49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

Psa 49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

Psa 49:9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

Psa 62:10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Prov 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Prov 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Prov 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Prov 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Recently at a Bishop's concert, Kenny Bishop of the gospel group The Bishops told us that he was thankful that the Bible is completed, fixed and does not change. We serve a risen savior that is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank God for that promise.

Prov 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

2 Cor 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 Cor 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Cor 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

2 Cor 8:4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Prov 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Prov 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Prov 13:8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

I know everyone is familiar with the story of the rich man that had so much that he didn’t have enough places to store his goods and decided to tear down his barns and build up bigger ones. How many people in life do you know that their whole existence is tied to what their earthly possessions are made up of. I agree with the fellow who said that when we look down at the poor and homeless and have an opportunity to help, and pass them by, we in effect are saying that our whole existence is nothing more than the material possessions we possess. That means more than the things of God and the love he wants to extol upon others through us.

Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Last night several of us went to the Gospel concert at Memorial Auditorium. One of the groups performing was Jeff and Sherry Easter, and Jeff said that his Daddy told him to always just be what he was, and don’t pretend to be something you ain’t, because if you do, people will find out that you aren’t what you’re pretending to be. I believe as Christians, we need to not play church games, but be real people with real compassion consistently. If you let Jesus direct your life, let him provide for you, you will never have lack, and you will be the richest of all people. But if you let Satan blind you and only worry about what you can acquire for yourself, I promise you based upon the Word of God, that you will never find happiness and satisfaction. The world is looking for a few rich Christians that can show them the way to a happy and fulfilling life. Where is your happiness based this morning. In things, or from God.

Be rich, let God provide your needs, and I know you will experience spiritual blessings like never before.

2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We have a hope that exceeds all the hope of this world.

Psa 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psa 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Psa 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

God is the only one who can truly make us rich. We may have little of this world’s wealth, and yet be the most rich person on the face of the earth. Peace and contentment are gifts from God, and they are part of the blessings that God gives us as we learn true riches.

Internet Bible Studies are prepared and distributed free of charge. The lessons may not be sold without consent. If you have questions or wish to discuss the lessons, or possibly need help in finding Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior, contact David Parham at 817-438-2346.

Distributed by: Internet Bible Studies

Contact: David Parham 817-438-2346

Website: fp.cyberstation.net/internetbible

E-mail: davidparham@cyberstation.net

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