1 Timothy 6:6-19. Affluenza?? 26/9/10
Amos 6:1;4-7; Luke 16:19-31.
{6) But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s. {11} But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. {12} Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. {13} In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you {14} to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, {16} who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen. {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. {19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Each of our readings here this morning are warning us of the dangers associated with a deadly disease that is running rampant in our country today. Affluenza has taken hold in epidemic proportions and threatens to decimate this country of ours. Most people are infected with this insidious disease and are completely unaware that it threatens to destroy their eternal future. And saddest of all, most people do not even care. Whilst many are aware of the problem, they think that it is not going to hurt them or their families.
Here today God is warning us of this danger and pleading for us to be alert, so that this problem does not destroy us. Through each of these readings, God is seeking to make us aware of the dangers that are ever associated with this affluence - serious dangers. So, don't kid yourselves into thinking that this is not a serious issue. This disease is very much here in our country and community and is and has already been capable of leading many to their ruin and destruction; destroying them and their families relationship with God.
They have gradually placed affluence ahead of their relationship with God and have paid dearly for it and their children and grandchildren have been lost altogether.
Through the reading from Timothy, God is seeking to encourage us to look in the right direction as we live out our daily lives so that we don’t get dragged into this insidious disease; but are immunized against it. Here he is pointing us in the direction our lives should be going; and above all entreating us to hold firmly to the eternal life which is ours in our confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and saviour.
But firstly, remember back to the Old Testament lesson and compare the scene described by Amos, with the situation we have here in Australia today. The scene is that of people enjoying the comforts of their affluence. They have their expensive furniture; living on the best of foods; using the most expensive of cosmetics; sitting back and enjoying their own music. They had an insatiable hunger for the good life. But in their luxurious sophistication, they lived for themselves. They seemed to think that because the prospects of the future looked good and that they were the top people in the top nation, they had nothing to fear. They were full of self-confidence and of their self-importance. They had everything under control; so rejected any thought that disaster might be just around the corner. They were doing too well at creating misfortune for others to even consider the possibility that they might be digging their own graves.
In all of their affluence, they had forgotten two things. They had become complacent in their consideration for the poor and underprivileged; having
no concern for the oppressed and wronged among their fellow country-people. Secondly, they were too full of themselves and their focus on what they had and could enjoy, that they failed to give any thought to the welfare of others. They had forgotten they were all fellow human-beings, travelling
through life needing the help and support of one another.
But above all, they had forgotten their God. Not that this was a deliberate thing, but they had become so focussed on their own pleasures and their own accomplishments; probably even seeing them as sign of God's favour and presence with them. Even though they went to his Temple, there was no thought to actually listening and heeding the Word of God. After all, they thought they had it all under control. Their religion was for show; with no consideration toward obedience to God's commands. Lip service was given toward God, but their heart was in their affluence.
They had forgotten that it was God who had made them a people: that he had rescued them and given them all that they had. There was no deep, heartfelt thanks to God or praise for all that he had done for them; No obedience to his commands, because they were so secure in their affluence that had no need for God in their daily lives; no need to give consideration as how he wanted them to live.
'Therefore’ – therefore, it shall all come to an end. Those affluent people of the day shall lead the pitiful column of captives going into exile. With tragic irony Amos lets them be first to the bitter end. Where revelry filled the air, there will be ominous silence. The announcement of judgement predicts a tomorrow in which pride, and self-centeredness is swallowed up and disappears. The security of their affluence will bring disaster. And so it happened. A few short years later, they are led of into exile. All their wealth taken from them; and they were made to suffer bitterly.
Paul in his letter to Timothy also tells us that the People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.
But you fellow-Christians here today flee from this. Don't allow yourselves to fall into this same temptation and disaster. Watch yourselves so that the same disaster doesn't leave you and your family with nothing. Complacency creeps up ever so easily. Our affluent Australian lifestyle makes it ever so easy to forget God. Just look around you and see how the pursuit of affluence has distracted so many of our fellow Australians away from our Lord and his Church. Watch and pray that you or your family also do not join their ranks.
Now I am not saying that we are to run out and be hermits, having nothing to do with our world. No, we are to live in this world, but to be careful that we are not mastered by it and led into complacency. Remember we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Fellow believers, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Seek after those things that are of God, diligently. They are far more lasting than the riches of this world. Grab hold of all that God has given to us in Christ Jesus, for dear life. Don't let go of that eternal life that has that given us at our baptism, when we were made children of God. Jesus died so that we might have life, now and in eternity. This assurance of eternal life with God is ours now. He has given and continues to give us all that we need for this life and the next.
So don't turn around and let go of all this by looking to and trusting in our earthly possessions and the luxuries of this world. Instead, let us continue to put our trust in the God who has given us all that we have and more; in the God who truly is God Almighty, the giver and taker of our affluence. Look to him and take him and what he has to say seriously before this dreaded disease, affluenza, destroys us and our families.
Here also learn from the message of our Gospel reading.. Seek after God and the things that are of God, now, while we have the chance. We like the rich man may have the security of riches in this life: we may have the honour of the people of this world. But - but if we are not rich toward God then we have nothing: Our riches here on this earth count for nothing when it comes to gaining entry into heaven. So now, while we have the chance, hold firmly to our gracious God and his promises. Listen to the Law and prophets as well as the Good News of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Hold on to God, The blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light. To him be honour and might forever," Amen.
Look to him for our security, because his security far exceeds that of our affluence. In him, find the riches that will give us the happiness and immunity that we are looking for and need. In him, find the contentment that far exceeds what we can ever possibly imagine, and the peace which is beyond understanding. Be rich, but in the things of God. For in our almighty Lord and Saviour we do have all the peace and security that we could ever want. And to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
Amos 6:1;4-7; Luke 16:19-31.
{6) But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s. {11} But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. {12} Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. {13} In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you {14} to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, {16} who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen. {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. {19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Each of our readings here this morning are warning us of the dangers associated with a deadly disease that is running rampant in our country today. Affluenza has taken hold in epidemic proportions and threatens to decimate this country of ours. Most people are infected with this insidious disease and are completely unaware that it threatens to destroy their eternal future. And saddest of all, most people do not even care. Whilst many are aware of the problem, they think that it is not going to hurt them or their families.
Here today God is warning us of this danger and pleading for us to be alert, so that this problem does not destroy us. Through each of these readings, God is seeking to make us aware of the dangers that are ever associated with this affluence - serious dangers. So, don't kid yourselves into thinking that this is not a serious issue. This disease is very much here in our country and community and is and has already been capable of leading many to their ruin and destruction; destroying them and their families relationship with God.
They have gradually placed affluence ahead of their relationship with God and have paid dearly for it and their children and grandchildren have been lost altogether.
Through the reading from Timothy, God is seeking to encourage us to look in the right direction as we live out our daily lives so that we don’t get dragged into this insidious disease; but are immunized against it. Here he is pointing us in the direction our lives should be going; and above all entreating us to hold firmly to the eternal life which is ours in our confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and saviour.
But firstly, remember back to the Old Testament lesson and compare the scene described by Amos, with the situation we have here in Australia today. The scene is that of people enjoying the comforts of their affluence. They have their expensive furniture; living on the best of foods; using the most expensive of cosmetics; sitting back and enjoying their own music. They had an insatiable hunger for the good life. But in their luxurious sophistication, they lived for themselves. They seemed to think that because the prospects of the future looked good and that they were the top people in the top nation, they had nothing to fear. They were full of self-confidence and of their self-importance. They had everything under control; so rejected any thought that disaster might be just around the corner. They were doing too well at creating misfortune for others to even consider the possibility that they might be digging their own graves.
In all of their affluence, they had forgotten two things. They had become complacent in their consideration for the poor and underprivileged; having
no concern for the oppressed and wronged among their fellow country-people. Secondly, they were too full of themselves and their focus on what they had and could enjoy, that they failed to give any thought to the welfare of others. They had forgotten they were all fellow human-beings, travelling
through life needing the help and support of one another.
But above all, they had forgotten their God. Not that this was a deliberate thing, but they had become so focussed on their own pleasures and their own accomplishments; probably even seeing them as sign of God's favour and presence with them. Even though they went to his Temple, there was no thought to actually listening and heeding the Word of God. After all, they thought they had it all under control. Their religion was for show; with no consideration toward obedience to God's commands. Lip service was given toward God, but their heart was in their affluence.
They had forgotten that it was God who had made them a people: that he had rescued them and given them all that they had. There was no deep, heartfelt thanks to God or praise for all that he had done for them; No obedience to his commands, because they were so secure in their affluence that had no need for God in their daily lives; no need to give consideration as how he wanted them to live.
'Therefore’ – therefore, it shall all come to an end. Those affluent people of the day shall lead the pitiful column of captives going into exile. With tragic irony Amos lets them be first to the bitter end. Where revelry filled the air, there will be ominous silence. The announcement of judgement predicts a tomorrow in which pride, and self-centeredness is swallowed up and disappears. The security of their affluence will bring disaster. And so it happened. A few short years later, they are led of into exile. All their wealth taken from them; and they were made to suffer bitterly.
Paul in his letter to Timothy also tells us that the People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.
But you fellow-Christians here today flee from this. Don't allow yourselves to fall into this same temptation and disaster. Watch yourselves so that the same disaster doesn't leave you and your family with nothing. Complacency creeps up ever so easily. Our affluent Australian lifestyle makes it ever so easy to forget God. Just look around you and see how the pursuit of affluence has distracted so many of our fellow Australians away from our Lord and his Church. Watch and pray that you or your family also do not join their ranks.
Now I am not saying that we are to run out and be hermits, having nothing to do with our world. No, we are to live in this world, but to be careful that we are not mastered by it and led into complacency. Remember we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Fellow believers, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Seek after those things that are of God, diligently. They are far more lasting than the riches of this world. Grab hold of all that God has given to us in Christ Jesus, for dear life. Don't let go of that eternal life that has that given us at our baptism, when we were made children of God. Jesus died so that we might have life, now and in eternity. This assurance of eternal life with God is ours now. He has given and continues to give us all that we need for this life and the next.
So don't turn around and let go of all this by looking to and trusting in our earthly possessions and the luxuries of this world. Instead, let us continue to put our trust in the God who has given us all that we have and more; in the God who truly is God Almighty, the giver and taker of our affluence. Look to him and take him and what he has to say seriously before this dreaded disease, affluenza, destroys us and our families.
Here also learn from the message of our Gospel reading.. Seek after God and the things that are of God, now, while we have the chance. We like the rich man may have the security of riches in this life: we may have the honour of the people of this world. But - but if we are not rich toward God then we have nothing: Our riches here on this earth count for nothing when it comes to gaining entry into heaven. So now, while we have the chance, hold firmly to our gracious God and his promises. Listen to the Law and prophets as well as the Good News of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Hold on to God, The blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light. To him be honour and might forever," Amen.
Look to him for our security, because his security far exceeds that of our affluence. In him, find the riches that will give us the happiness and immunity that we are looking for and need. In him, find the contentment that far exceeds what we can ever possibly imagine, and the peace which is beyond understanding. Be rich, but in the things of God. For in our almighty Lord and Saviour we do have all the peace and security that we could ever want. And to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
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