TRUE RICHES

Lk. 16:1-13.

INTRO:

1. There are three sets of values in the world.

A. Things of NO value. Job. 13:4; Col. 2:23.

B. Things of LITTLE value. 1 Tim. 4:6-8.

C. Things of GREAT value. Matt. 16:26. Jesus was of the Greatest value but was sold for a pittance. Matt. 27:9.

2. We must be able to distinguish between these values.

I. THIS LIFE IS A GREAT MARKET AND WE ARE BUYERS AND SELLERS.

A. We must trade wisely.

B. In the parable of the talents, two recipients traded wisely but one was unwise. Matt. 25:14-30.

C. A rich, young man desired the hand of a lovely girl in marriage.

1. He set about to obtain this by offering her great amounts of property and riches.

2. She continued to refuse his offers.

3. When he asked why, she told him that his great wealth would mean nothing to her unless she had his love and his heart.

D. God wants our hearts. Matt. 15:8; 22:37.

E. If He has our hearts, He will also have our resources -- money, time and talents. 2 Cor. 8:1-5.

II. EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. Prov. 14:12.

A. The Laodiceans were mistaken about being rich. Rev. 3:14-19.

B. Smyrna had true riches. Rev. 2:9.

C. The prosperous farmer was rich in worldly goods, but knew not concerning true riches. Lk. 12:13-21.

III. BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT. Prov. 23:23.

A. We are interested in buying alright, but very seldom are we willing to pay the price for the truth, or to be a true Christian.

1. If you are not a Christian now, just what are you waiting for?

B. And many times we sell the truth if the price appeals to us.

1. If there is something that we want to do bad enough, we manage to forget that we are a Christian for a while.

C. We say: "Fill her up", when we need gas, but we are satisfied with a few drops in the bottom of the tank when it comes to the word of God.

1. When the word of God is taught to us plainly and we do not get anything out of it, then we didn't bring anything to get it in or our bucket has holes in it.

2. We are told to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Col. 3:16.

D. We need to fill up with faith. Heb. 11:6.

E. We should be full of hope. Psa. 71:14; 119:116; Prov. 14:32; Rom. 8:24,25.

F. We must be filled with love. 1 Jno. 4:7-5:3.

G. We must be filled with the riches of a good conscience. Acts 23:1; 24:16.

1. We can have a good conscience before God if we are willing to do what He says. 1 Pet. 3:20,21.

H. A good name is of great value. Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1.

I. Obedience is the very height of values. Heb. 5:9; 1 Sam. 15:22; 1 Pet. 4:17,18.

IV. WE ARE OFTEN GUILTY OF PLACING TOO MUCH VALUE UPON THAT WHICH IS OF VERY LITTLE OR OF NO VALUE.

A. Worldly goods and material things. 1 Tim. 6:17; Lk. 12:15; Eccl. 5:10-16.

B. The love for worldly goods can condemn us in two ways:

1. By going to all ends in getting them, to the detriment of serving the Lord.

2. And by holding on to them and not giving to the Lord as we have prospered.

C. Let us remember to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matt. 6:33.

1. If we will do this, we will not suffer for the material things that we need.

CONCLUSION:

1. True riches can be had by all who will strive for them.

2. Material riches are not the true riches and often cause us to stumble if we seek after them. 1 Tim. 6:9,10.

3. Do you desire to be rich with true riches and thereby be a child of the King? You can be by obeying Him today.

by Jim Sasser

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