Mark 6:7-13; Luke 22:35-36 Me and My Possessions
We are called to follow Christ and thereby demonstrate to the world and to one another as believers in Christ that we are truly His disciples. If we are to follow Christ we might ask what are we to bring with us? Should we travel light? Or should we bring a U haul truck with all our Possessions?
The Path of Discipleship involves our undivided attention to our Savior. We must obey Him, even if we do not understand everything. If He says, ‘Come and follow Me and take nothing’ we better do it. If on the other hand He says, ‘Follow Me but take what you need’ we better do that as well.
WEALTH OR POVERTY?
Apparent contradiction
The rich young ruler – Mark 10:17-21
Wealth not sinful in and of itself – Exodus 20:1-6
The Psalms portray material blessing is a rightful expectation:
Psalm 17:14; 25:12-13; 112:1-3; 144:13
B. Warnings against Riches
The rich fool – Luke12:21
The parable of the Sower – Matt. 13:22
Riches must not be held too tightly – Luke 14:12-14
Riches must not be hoarded – Luke 12:33-34
Greed equals idolatry – Col.3:5 (A.W. Tozer)
Sinful Desires
Does having more satisfy us? Matt. 5:6
Augustine’s profound statement –
GOOD GIFTS FROM GOD
How do our possessions relate to our discipleship? Jam.1:17
False idea about material possessions
The predominate view of the ancient world – Dualism
The Scripture does not teach dualism – Gen.1,2,
Observations about good things –
God is Sovereign in His distribution of things
Egalitarianism
Government’s responsibilities – Rom. 13:1-5
God gives unequally and discriminately – ( Parable of the talents –
Matt.25: 14-30)
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
Thanksgiving – I Tim.4:4; Job 1:21
Humility – I Cor. 4:7
Contentment – (Elisabeth Elliot)
Christian Perspective – Matt.6:24
Stewardship – Turn To: I Tim. 6:17- 19
Serving Him in His Church
Serving our families
Serving those in need
Pastor Nick Iamaio
Reformed Presbyterian Church
207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069
Web Site fultonrpc.org
3/9/2008