The following is a sermon transcript from our Sunday Service at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Each week, we gather to worship, learn from God’s Word, and grow together. This transcript is provided as a free resource to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ. While you’re welcome to read and share this content for personal use, we kindly ask that it not be redistributed or published elsewhere without prior written consent from The Rock Church.
The Many Locked Doors of Life
In life, we often face what seem to be many locked doors. If only I can find the right key to the right door, we’ll have access to all the treasures of contentment and satisfaction. But not only are there many locked doors, there seem to be many different types of keys. How will we find the right key to the right door? And so we begin the process of trial and error.
The Key of Relationships
The first key we draw is called relationships. We open the door to acceptance, thinking to ourselves:
“If I just find the right relationships with the right people, I’ll discover true love and acceptance.”
But once we open the door, we find it doesn’t satisfy, only being met with difficulties, misunderstandings, and even pain. So we close the door.
The Key of Career
We look for another key. Ah, yes, let’s remove the people element and use the key called career. This key will surely open the door to achievements, status, and respect.
But once that door opens, we begin this endless climb to the top where there are only a few people. And the folks there, they seem to be miserable and depressed.
Oh, no, this can’t be it. So we walk out and close the door behind us.
The Key of Religion
Lastly, we come to the key called religion. So we proceed through the door to meaning and purpose and identity.
We think to ourselves:
“Yeah, this has to be it. I’ve heard of people who have found religion and it’s changed their lives.”
But once we walk through that door, we find people who are consumed with themselves. They’re always comparing themselves to one another, constantly judging and evaluating, trying to be better, to work harder.
The goal, of course, is a more and better improved self. But none of it works, leaving us completely exhausted, frustrated, without hope.
The Forgotten Rusty Key
So what’s the answer? If relationships, career, and religion don’t work, what key will unlock the door to true and lasting contentment?
And the funny thing is that when we least expect it, we notice this key that we always dismissed. It was an old rusty key. No one else was interested in it. But for some reason, we were drawn to this key.
So we picked it up, blew off the dust, and headed for the door that was to true and lasting contentment. We found it. The search is over.
The answer all along was Christ. That He alone provides us with true spiritual riches that surpass all others.
It was the door that brought us new life. The old is gone. Receiving grace, this wonderful gift of faith. We now live this daily lifestyle of repentance.
Forgetting Christ
Realizing more and more, it was never about producing something in us. Rather, it was something outside of us.
But something rather sad has happened. We went back, some of us, to the religious game of self-improvement.
We started out great. We had Jesus, but somehow we ended up back in the room with all the religious people, and now we’re tired, and we’re weary, all the while forgetting Christ.
We’ve forgotten that Jesus alone is sufficient for all of life and godliness. We have forgotten that God has given us his divine power in Christ for everything that we need.
So whether you’re a believer or not, we all need the reminder that Christ is sufficient. It’s not try harder. It’s not be better or work more. It’s looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.
That’s right, that Jesus — He started the work, He’s doing the work, and He’s going to finish it. It’s God’s promise. It’s not mine. It’s God’s words. Not man’s. It’s trustworthy. It’s true, and it never fails.
The Big Idea
So let’s look to Christ today as we consider, as we always do, the big idea. If you’re taking notes, it’s this:
Knowing that Christ is enough is the key to finding true and lasting contentment.
And from this, three truths emerge:
- True happiness is found in embracing a life of godliness.
- Being content with what you have is far superior to chasing after what you don’t.
- The never-ending pursuit of wealth does not bring satisfaction. Instead, it leads to corruption.
1) True Happiness Is Found in Embracing a Life of Godliness
Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain
So the first is true happiness found in embracing a life of godliness. It’s verse six. First Timothy chapter six, we’ve already read, but let’s do so again together. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
As you recall from last week, it was the false teacher who’s looking for an opportunity for personal gain, financially or otherwise, and so his view of godliness was very different from that of the biblical one.
As you’ll see in the text, verse six begins with the word but, as a contrast to what was said prior. And so instead of using religion as this cloak of covetousness, according to 1 Thessalonians 2 and 5, we see godliness very differently.
What Do We Mean by “Godliness”?
You know, the interesting thing about the word godliness is that each of you immediately have something in your mind as to what that means. You have a response.
We think of godly men or women and what are some of the traits that come to mind. Well, of course, we immediately go to morality, moralism. Anyone grow up being taught or preached moralism? They just seem to, this godly man or woman, they seem to always say the right thing. They got the perfect family. They make good decisions seemingly all the time and so much more.
But is godliness the same as sound morality? Surely we can point to a number of religions that produce some very moral people. So that can’t be it. In fact, if you were following what I said in the open, we already tried that key called religion and it didn’t work out so well.
Piety: A God-ward Attitude
So how is it that Christ is the key when it comes to embracing a life of godliness? We got to understand the meaning of the word godliness in this context. Another word for godliness is piety.
In other words, the godly man or woman expresses a God-word attitude as evidenced by what? A reverence, a respect toward the living God.
You see, what often happens with religion is that people want to show a form of godliness but do what? Deny the power therein. They want everybody to see how wonderful their life is. Look at me. And yet at the same time, hiding all of their corruption.
And you’ll see how godliness to them, it’s not a Godward attitude. Instead it’s an attitude of constantly being concerned about how everyone perceives me. You like this jacket? Does that look nice?
It’s playing church rather than being the church. It’s opening their lives to others in a very limited capacity. It’s fear that if others in the church, if they knew how broken I was, they would reject me.
The Church Must Be a Safe Place
Brothers and sisters, hear me on this. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that the church of the living God is a safe place for you to be. It needs to be a place where people can be vulnerable and transparent.
It’s a place where we need to know that there is freedom to walk in the light as we confess our sins to one another and to God.
When Church Becomes Competition
But sadly, in many cases, the church becomes a place where people compete. Who among you is the most holy and pious? Surely it’s the one that dresses the best, speaks the softest, always telling stories. Did you hear what God is doing in my life? Oh, listen, listen. The other day I was walking down the street and there it was, this divine opportunity. I shared the gospel. He knelt down before me. We prayed together.
Now don’t get me wrong. That would be wonderful. But some of us love to just spin up these stories to make us look good. Instead of reassurance in Christ, we’re looking for assurance by our behavior. You see the difference?
Not “Who Sins the Least,” But “Who Trusts the Most”
Oh, yeah. The Christian life, isn’t it all about sinning less? I thought that’s what the whole goal was. That’s how I should be identified in the body of Christ. Boy, that guy over there sure sins a lot more than I do. I’m so glad I’m not like him.
The reality is that the Christian life is not about who sins the least. It’s more about an ever-growing trust and dependence on the Lord. As we grow in the Lord, we see how much more Jesus alone satisfies and how much less sin appeals to us.
The “Sanctification Stick” Trap
But as I’ve said before, if you mark your Christian life by what you don’t do rather than who you look to, you’re going to be marked by burden, by drudgery, by disappointment. You’re going to say things like:
- Oh, I haven’t watched pornography in over a month. Isn’t that great?
- I haven’t yelled at my spouse for more than two weeks.
And before you know it, you’ve got this measuring stick up against the wall. Instead of your kids being placed below them, it’s your sanctification stick. Oh, I’m here now. Oh, but now I’m down here. Oh, I’m here now. Now I’m down here.
First Response to Temptation: Behold Christ
What if our first response to temptation and sin was trusting Christ? Not saying, okay, I will not sin. I will not sin. And repeating it over and over again.
What if it was considering Christ? Just beholding Him, enjoying Him, thanking Him for His character, His kindness, His goodness, His grace upon grace, and the new mercy that He provides once a quarter? On New Year’s Day? Every single morning.
Well, something changes, doesn’t it? Has your heart responded to that?
Embrace Christ Himself (Not Just “Godliness” Outcomes)
Instead of thinking about embracing a life of godliness to get something from God, what if Christ was the one we embraced in the process? And yes, the natural byproduct of that will be true happiness.
Anyone ever been disappointed when they spent some time with Jesus? Oh, you know, Jesus, you didn’t really meet at this time. I really wish you could do something here. I’m not feeling it.
He’ll never prove to be something other than what we thought. The problem is that we’re in a constant battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We’re far too easily, I’ll just speak for myself. I’ll leave you guys out of it. Far too easily deceived by these forces working against us. We’re weak people. Anyone else here weak? And we need the reminder of who we are in Christ.
Union With Christ Brings Contentment
And since we’ve been united to Christ, we can know and experience true contentment. And you combine godliness with contentment? Hold up. What do you have there?
Well, it’s what Paul tells us here. There’s not just a little bit of gain. Man, there’s a great gain.
Think about that for a moment. Think about how greatly sin takes away from your life. How it brings destruction in your relationships, in your career, yeah, even in your pursuit of religion.
False Teachers and False Prescriptions
Let’s consider it this way. The false teachers of Paul’s day were only interested in one thing: personal gain for the here and now. They couldn’t care less about eternal things, the life to come. Give me a break. It was simply this: how do I gain power over people, influence, control, financial prosperity?
It’s no different today. Prosperity gospel preachers, word faith movement, false prophets, and even the deliverance ministers. They don’t want you to believe that your sufficiency is in Christ alone. Give me a break. You got to take this prescription that I can only give you. I got the secret. Come on. And once you purchase from them, surely the blessing will come down and you will have the secret to the deep things of God.
The Gospel That Saves Is the Gospel That Keeps
But here’s the reality. The faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal is the message that saves us and it’s the message that keeps us. It’s the gospel of Christ. He is for us. He’s the one working in us.
Even though we struggle and suffer going through trials and pain, God is forming Christ in us. Guys, we’ve been sold the false gospel. As soon as we hit trial, we’re like, I’m out.
Present and Eternal Gain in Christ
And that, see, the far better than temporary worldly pleasures and riches is all of Christ. That’s why godliness with contentment is great gain because it’s a gain not only for the present but for the eternal.
The more we see that true happiness is embracing a life of godliness, the more we’ll be able to rest. The more we forget about behavior modification and playing church, we will see that it is indeed all of Christ for all of life.
Scripture’s Aim: Reveal Christ
That God has granted to us his divine power in Christ. That we have all that we need for life and godliness. The riches are found in Christ. In him alone. It’s by the spirit of Christ that the answer is found.
And the wonderful thing about scripture is that it’s not a manual how to live better. How to simply apply practical wisdom to make better decisions. The basic instruction before leaving this earth. It’s the story of redemption. It’s revealing the person and work of Christ. That is our goal to proclaim Christ from all of scripture.
This doesn’t mean that we look to Christ under every little rock. Where is he? Is he over there? Where’s Waldo? No. But we understand that the overarching theme is to reveal Christ.
Godward Awe, Not Performance
So yes, true contentment with happiness are found in embracing a life of godliness because it’s contained in this Godward attitude. It’s a reverence. It’s an awe of Christ.
It’s not behavior and look at me. It’s that our greatest desire is to know Christ. To behold him. To learn of him. To grow in him.
It’s not external behaviors that we’re concerned about so much as the heart posture. It’s all about being content in Christ, knowing that the gain is both for the present and for the eternal.
Point One in a Sentence
The first point. True happiness found in embracing a life of godliness. Don’t look at it as drudgery, but joy. Keeping your eyes on Jesus as he does this wonderful work of transforming your heart.
2) Being Content With What You Have Is Far Superior to Chasing After What You Don’t
We Brought Nothing In, We Take Nothing Out
Verses 7–8:
- For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
- But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Well, Paul, isn’t it obvious? Just like we see in Job chapter 1, verse 21:
Naked I came, naked I shall return. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Why We Chase More
The question is why? Why do we live as if life consists of what we achieve? What personal possessions we obtain? And upon what platforms we climb?
It’s because we’ve misplaced our identity. We’ve sought after the things that we thought would supply meaning, purpose, and worth. We keep chasing after them, only to be disappointed again and again.
We’ve forgotten about the riches that we have in Christ. And we look to the riches of this present world, in our comforts, in our successes.
The Example of Job
How was Job able to do that? To go through what he did, if you’re familiar with the story? How could he lose his family, his wealth, his health, and declare:
What I have is from the Lord, and what I don’t have is also part of God’s decree.
You see, Job understood God in his sovereignty. He never questioned the goodness of God or blamed his suffering as the result of his own sin.
Jesus Heals the Blind Man (John 9)
It’s the same in John chapter 9 when Jesus heals the man that was born blind. The religious leaders gather around. They say to the parents, What’s the deal here? Was it his sin? Was it the parent’s sin?
And Jesus says this wonderful thing:
It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Trials Display God’s Glory
What if your suffering and pain were the very means that God is looking to use to work in you to show off his glory?
Oh, no, Pastor, I just can’t believe that.
And you know why? Because we’ve been sold a false gospel. That God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. And if we’re not, then it must be something wrong with us. Something wrong with God.
Misusing Jeremiah 29:11
We love Jeremiah 29:11. In fact, it’s posted on the wall outside. It says, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you. Plans for a hope and a future.
But instead of understanding the context of the verse, we personalize it. We say, That’s it. God wants me to be exactly what he says right here.
But then what happens in life? Trial? Difficulty? Doesn’t go well? How do we respond? Crisis of faith. Surely because I don’t have enough faith, that’s why I’m suffering.
Providence Reads Backwards
I love what Sinclair Ferguson said on his podcast, Things Unseen. He said that God’s providence is like Hebrew. We can only read it backwards.
If you know the Hebrew language, it’s read from right to left. Seems a little bit crazy to us. It seems to be backwards to us.
But isn’t it true that you can only see clearly how God was using your trial when you look backwards?
Yeah. God was breaking me. God was crushing me. So that I would no longer trust in riches or the pursuit thereof.
Job’s Faith in Loss
Because all can be well. Job was the most successful man of his day. Not just materially, but relationally. He had a great family. A lot of stuff. All was good.
But that all changed. God took it all away.
And Job, did he say this? Did he say, Oh, curse God and die? I’d rather die.
No. He never questioned God’s goodness.
Wrestling With God in Our Pain
Now I know in our lowest state, we can question God. That’s part of our sin nature. We get angry at God. But we’ve got to be honest with Him.
We say, Oh, Lord, how long? Have I learned enough yet? Just make it go away.
Since God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts, we can’t do that. Thankfully, none of God’s plans can be thwarted.
God’s not like, Oh, I can’t believe it got in the way of what I wanted to do. Wow, this is really disappointing.
He will always accomplish what He set out to do. No scheme of the devil, no temptation of the flesh, no deceitfulness of riches will ever prevent God’s ultimate plan.
God Even Uses Sin for His Purposes
You see, we can fall and stumble. Yes, we will sin. But did you know that God is even using the sin in our lives to accomplish His purposes?
Oh, Pastor, God uses sin? Doesn’t that make God…? There’s something wrong with that statement. I don’t think I can get on board with that. I thought God was holy. He could have nothing to do with sinful man.
Well, I’ll tell you this. God was so serious about redeeming a people for His own possession that He sent His only Son into the world to fulfill all righteousness and satisfy the wrath of a holy God.
I’m not going to be able to satisfy. We’re not going to be able to satisfy. All the good deeds of all the people of all eternity will never be able to satisfy the wrath of a holy God.
And God the Son did that willingly. Humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross. Because sin is that serious.
Christ Is Not an “Add-On”
So we should never consider Christ as simply an add-on. Isn’t that how the gospel is often presented?
“Oh, so you tried relationships. Didn’t work out? Hmm. Have you tried your career? Have you tried religion? So you’ve tried all those things? Here’s the deal. Why don’t you just try Jesus? Just give Him a try.”
That’s missing it here. You’re missing it entirely.
It’s first understanding how deep our sin goes, how corrupted we are in our thinking, in our living, that by nature, we’re very selfish people.
Okay, I’m just the only one then. Fine.
And it’s hard to separate ourselves from our desire to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Anybody ever do that for more than five minutes? More than a minute? A second?
Be Content With What You Have
Think about all that you have. You have food. You have clothing. You have a roof over your head. So in all these things, Paul says, be content.
Oh, Pastor, I just want a bigger house. It’s too small. You’ve got a lot of kids. My apartment’s too confining.
Paul’s not saying that it’s wrong to have stuff, but does the stuff have you? Are you constantly thinking about what you don’t have rather than being thankful for what you do?
Being content is being satisfied, saying this: ‘Tis enough for me.
Living in a Culture of Consumerism
The hard part is living in a culture that’s enslaved by consumerism.
I’ll just buy it on Amazon. I’ll get it at Home Depot. You better go big or go home, brother.
And we are in this constant state of chasing after stuff rather than chasing after Christ.
Jesus on Worry (Matthew 6)
Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, Therefore, I tell you this.
All right, I’m listening. What do you have to say?
Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, nor your body, what you’re going to put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look up at those birds. See, they don’t have a barn. They don’t need to gather up and strategize and talk to the blue jay, tell them, stop bothering me, you’re so mean.
He does blue jays. God feeds them.
How much more valuable are you? How much more will your heavenly Father give you all good things when you ask?
The Breeder of Discontent
As one commentator put it, the breeder of discontent is this: listen, the breeder of discontent is gain-seeking anxiety.
It’s constantly saying, I must have more. What must I do to gain?
Instead of safely trusting in Christ, it’s being anxious because you will never have enough.
Contrast: Gain Seekers vs. God Seekers
Notice what Paul is doing here in the text. He’s contrasting the greed of gain seekers in verse 5, using godliness as a means of some personal end. See that?
No, instead, let’s seek Christ as the end. And in our pursuit of Him, we will truly be satisfied.
Because Jesus said:
- If you drink from Me, you’ll never thirst again.
- If you eat of Me, you’ll never hunger again.
Trusting God Through Hardship
It’s time that we stop striving and start trusting, even though life may be hard right now.
God is using it all to show His works in and through us.
We might respond with Job, The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord.
Did Job say that because he believed it was easy? Of course not.
God’s never trying to minimize the pain that you’re experiencing, but He’s trying to remind you of something important — that a Godward attitude rather than a focus on self is the key.
The American Dream and Wealth
For the first time in American history, this generation will be less wealthy than the prior one.
The American dream of buying a home seemingly…
How does this generation respond? By just working harder, by considering something, or by considering something of greater value?
Well, I would submit to you that I think they’re going through that process now of understanding something greater must be.
This generation is poised to be even more focused on the spiritual reality of life in Christ, that more important than owning a home is having Christ at home in your heart.
No U-Haul Behind the Hearse
Knowing that Christ is the key to finding true and lasting contentment, let’s not live as though when we die, there’s going to be some U-Haul attached to the hearse.
You’ve heard that before. I stole it.
It’s that we have the riches of Christ as our inheritance today, that when we die, all that’s going to be fully realized.
Christ Is Enough
Being content with what you have in Christ is far more superior to chasing after all the other stuff.
Christ is all sufficient, all satisfying.
God knows what you need even before you ask Him. So trust that the Lord is good, supplying every good and perfect gift that comes down from the Father of lights.
And since God never changes, we can trust Him.
He’s not going to take back that gift of eternal life that He gave you. He’s never going to say, Well, I can’t believe it. You thought so little of me. I’m going to withdraw my blessing. Blot your name out. You’re out of the name. You’re out of the book of life.
No, no, no, no, no. Our names are written with permanent ink, and He’s written now His law on our hearts.
Our desire has changed. We want to please God because He loves us.
We don’t chase after good works to prove to God how good we are.
No, God showed us His love that while we’re yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ Is Enough Even If We Lose Everything
So if we lose it all — our job, our success, our material life — we still have Christ. And that’s enough.
I’m not sure if you knew your life is but a vapor. It’s just here for a moment and gone the next. Not my word, God’s word.
Let’s ask God to teach us to know with not just our minds but also our hearts that Christ is enough.
And you’ll be surprised by the true and lasting contentment that comes from that.
When God takes away, you’re going to go, trusting you, Lord. You had a purpose.
When God gives, you will be thankful for His kindness and His grace.
He’s given you a mind. He’s given you a will. He’s given you a body. And He did so that you would use it all for the glory of God.
3) The Never-Ending Pursuit of Wealth Does Not Bring Satisfaction (Instead, It Leads to Corruption)
Scripture Reading
Verses 9–10:
But those who desired to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Money as Tool vs. Master
Before we get into what Paul is saying here, let’s consider what he’s not saying.
Have you ever heard somebody say, money is the root of all evil? Of course you have.
But is that what Paul’s saying here? Is that what we read? Oh, actually it’s not.
Consider how money can be a great tool, but a terrible master. That’s the point.
The Heart’s Desires
When it comes to the desires in the heart, you notice the theme? Your heart’s posture.
When it comes to those desires, the never-ending pursuit of wealth will never be satisfied.
J.D. Rockefeller, you’ve heard this quote, was famous for saying, when asked the question, How much money is enough?
He famously said, Just a little bit more.
The same goes for the desires of our flesh. When it comes to lust, it’ll never be satisfied. Just like when it comes to drugs, the user needs more and more to try to get back to that first high.
And the downward spiral of the soul continues.
Progression of Sin
Notice that the destruction of lives always starts with a desire in the heart.
In this case, it’s someone who desires to be rich. They orient their lives around the pursuit of wealth, and when anything gets in the way of that, they’ll make any necessary compromise.
They’ll spend all their effort and energy on building their career, all the while their relationships suffer. They’re so consumed with climbing the corporate ladder that they will destroy anyone that gets in the way.
I want you to notice the progression as Paul explains it:
- First, it’s a desire.
- And then it’s a temptation.
- And then it is a snare.
Listen to what James says about this (James 1:14):
But each person is tempted when he’s what? He’s lured. He’s enticed. By what? The desire. Desire meets temptation. And guess what happens? Desire, when it conceives, gives birth to sin. And then sin, when it grows up, brings forth death.
It’s desire → temptation → snare.
Catching It Early
The good news is that we can catch it in the desire state and root it out.
We can bring it to the light. We can admit to ourselves, Yeah, I’ve been putting desire for wealth above everything else.
We can prevent it from turning into sin and finally the sure destruction that will result.
The Trap of a Snare
How does the never-ending pursuit of wealth become a snare?
Well, let’s consider what a snare is. It’s a trap. And how do you get out of a trap? Well, it’s not easy.
But ultimately, it’s described as a lapse of faith.
Somehow, we start believing the lie instead of the truth. We stop trusting that Christ is enough and pursue riches to satisfy.
And before you know it, we fall into one temptation after another. We are left in peril, in loss, in destruction.
And guess who uses it in our lives? Satan holds us bound, feeling like, I can’t get out of this.
And we say things like, I’m too far gone. I’ve already compromised so much. There’s no turning back. No one will understand.
We’re drowning in our ruin and despair.
Foolishness of Ungoverned Desire
Instead of being wise, we are found foolish.
Instead of being sober-minded, we lack understanding.
We are left in a constant state of being irrational, incapable of making sound and reasonable decisions. Why?
Because we didn’t govern our lusts.
The Car Governor Analogy
There’s something called a governor in cars. You may have heard of it. What’s its purpose?
The governor in a car is to keep you from traveling at unsafe speeds.
It has a maximum speed built in. So no matter how hard you try, you’ll never go above that set speed.
Well, what’s the most natural response to that? How do I respond to that?
Remove the governor! Get it out of here! The governor is bad. It’s oppressive. It’s limiting.
That’s how we often view God.
That He just doesn’t want us to enjoy anything. What’s a little sin here or there?
Well, that’s right. It just doesn’t seem like much, but then it starts growing. It’s like a pet. You have to watch and care for it.
Before you know it, you’re bound in this confusion and destruction. And then we ask the question, How did I get here?
Well, it was one small compromise after another.
The Church as a Governor
That’s why we have the church. That’s why we have each other.
The church in the power of the Holy Spirit acts as a governor in our lives.
It’s a brother or sister who comes to you and says, I’m concerned. I’m concerned that your drinking habits have increased to an unhealthy level.
And there’s one of two ways to respond:
- We can deny the claim: Oh, you’re being silly. That’s not how I see it at all.
- Or we can take heed.
Why do we take heed? Because we know that our brother or sister loves us very much. They would never say something if they didn’t truly care.
And who cares more for us than our brothers and sisters? That’s right, Jesus does.
And Jesus wants us to use our treasures not for ourselves, but for God, for His kingdom.
If the Church Took Giving Seriously
It’s been said that if all the churches in America were serious about giving, they could support all the hospitals and food banks.
The church would be able to handle all the needs. It’s an incredible thing to consider.
Love of Money, Not Money Itself
You see, it’s not money that’s the root of all evil. It’s the love of money.
And notice what the text says here in verse 10:
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
It’s not the root of all evil. It’s just one of many roots.
Greed Behind Evil in the World
And what happens in the heart of man? Well, he can never satisfy that craving for more money.
Why else is pornography and sex trafficking and drug smuggling and all this proliferation of evil?
It’s the love of money.
What lies behind cheating, betrayal, drug dealing, blackmail?
All of them contain inside some element of greed.
As John Stott put it:
For money is a drug and covetousness a drug addiction. The more you have, the more you want.
The Tragedy for Christians
And what’s the great tragedy for the Christian who loves and falls in love with money?
Well, Paul tells us here: it causes him to stray away from the faith.
Oh, pastor, that would never happen to me. Have you seen my bank account? Have you seen it recently? I don’t know if I’m that worried about it.
But the heart is deceitful and wicked. Who can know it?
Guarding Against Ourselves
So how do I guard myself from myself?
Well, you’re already doing it. You’re here. You’re here to worship Jesus, to learn of Him, to receive from Him.
You’re here to build relationships with your brothers and sisters, to know you have a family of faith to encourage you, especially in the hardest of times.
Loneliness in Our Culture
As you all know, our culture suffers greatly from this epidemic of loneliness.
Many just need someone to listen to, and you could be that person.
We get so trapped in our minds and need to share what we’re feeling.
So let’s not get trapped by that.
Love Over Wealth
But let’s let love abound and not the pursuit of wealth, because we know it will never bring the satisfaction we truly desire.
It only leads to destruction and corruption, wondering how we lost our way.
So let’s pull in close to one another and say, Look to Christ. Look to Him.
I know you’re suffering. Look to Jesus.
Oh, that’s all you got for me?
It’s so powerful. Because knowing that Christ is enough is the key to finding true and lasting contentment.
Closing Application
So as we close, it’s a great time to consider what desires have crept into your heart.
Desires to have more.
Have you been distracted by the things that promised to give you contentment but didn’t?
Have you tried using the keys of relationship, career, religion, but the doors all opened were something that fell short?
Let’s not just consider Christ.
Let’s press on to know Christ. To know Him, to have fellowship with His sufferings, because in the process, God is forming Christ in us.
And that is the best outcome of it all.
It may be hard right now, whatever you’re going through. I’m not trying to minimize that, but God has a purpose for it.
Remember that God’s providence is like the Hebrew language. It reads backwards. One day, you will be able to read it backwards.
But for now, keep trusting Christ. Keep leaning into Him more than you ever have.
And let’s open our lives to one another, trusting that God is using our fellow believers to be the very governors of our lives.
Not of the state—of our lives. Let’s not get confused. The governor. Our governor. Remember the…
Keeping us from going into deep sin that only brings about destruction and despair.
Application Steps
Application here is simple:
- Identify a desire in your heart that has drawn you away from Christ.
- Admit that our desires constantly draw us away from Christ. Constantly needing to repent. Every day. Every moment.
So consider that. Maybe you need to share whatever it is with a brother or sister—or just with the Lord. Whatever it is.
Confession Reading
Before you stand, I’m just going to read one paragraph from the London Baptist Confession of Faith.
It goes like this, chapter 15, paragraph 4:
Repentance must continue throughout our lives because of the body of death and its activities. So it’s everyone’s duty to repent of each specific, known sin specifically. That’s the charge.
Ready to Take Your Next Steps at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel?
The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey exists to help people know God, follow Jesus, and make disciples who multiply. Whether you’re new or already part of our church family, we’re here to help you stay connected! Plan your visit to experience a Sunday with us, or download the Church Center App to stay updated, join a group, register for events, and more.
