Faithful with Wealth, Gospel, and Grace Until Jesus Returns

Devotional

Day 1: Be Faithful with Your Wealth

We are called to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, not a result of our own efforts or worthiness. Wealth can easily lead to pride, a false sense of security, and self-dependence, but God invites us to use our resources generously, to do good, and to be rich in good works. Instead of clinging to material possessions, we are to live open-handedly, sharing with others and trusting God as our true provider. This faithful stewardship is not about how much we have, but about how we use what God has entrusted to us for His purposes and the good of others. [01:00:49]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: What is one way you can use your resources—time, money, or possessions—to bless someone in need this week, trusting God as your provider?

Day 2: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be

Our hearts naturally follow what we value most, and Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, but to invest in what is eternal. The things of this world are temporary and uncertain, but when we set our hearts on God and His kingdom, we find true security and purpose. The call is to examine where our treasure truly lies and to align our hearts with the things that matter most to God, knowing that our character and relationship with Him are of far greater worth than any material gain. [50:14]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one earthly treasure or pursuit you need to hold more loosely so your heart can be more fully devoted to God?

Day 3: Guard the Gospel Faithfully

The truth of the gospel is a precious deposit entrusted to every believer, and we are called to guard it, protect it, and hold it high for all to see. This means not distorting or apologizing for the message of Jesus, but living it out daily and making it our life’s ambition to remain faithful to the truth. The church is to be a pillar and foundation of truth, lifting up the gospel so that others may see and know Christ, and each of us has a role in ensuring that the message remains undiluted and central in our lives and community. [01:03:11]

1 Timothy 6:20 (ESV)
"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you."

Reflection: In what specific way can you lift up or share the truth of the gospel with someone in your life this week?

Day 4: Avoid Distractions and Stay Focused on Jesus

There are countless distractions—arguments, controversies, cultural pressures, and empty debates—that can slowly pull us away from faithfulness to Christ. The path to unfaithfulness is often a slow drift, not a sudden departure, so we must be vigilant to avoid the noise and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. By intentionally steering clear of pointless debates and focusing on what truly matters, we can remain anchored in our faith and avoid the subtle dangers that threaten to derail our walk with God. [01:06:11]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one distraction or “irreverent babble” you need to set aside this week to focus more fully on Jesus?

Day 5: Rely on the Grace of Jesus to the End

Faithfulness is not achieved by our own strength or effort, but by relying on the grace of Jesus Christ every day. God’s empowering presence is with us, enabling us to guard the gospel, flee sin, love others, and use our resources for His kingdom. We are not alone in this journey—His grace is sufficient for every need, and it is only by His grace that we can stand before Him with confidence. Let this assurance free you from striving and fill you with hope as you walk with Jesus until He returns. [01:09:38]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or inadequate in your faithfulness, and how can you invite God’s grace to empower you in that area today?

Sermon Summary

Pain and scars are a reality for many of us, and sometimes God uses these very wounds to draw us closer to Himself. In moments of confusion and hurt, we are called to respond as a family—supporting, praying, and standing with one another. Our scars, both seen and unseen, can become places where God’s mercy and healing are poured out, and where we learn to trust Him as the anchor for our souls, even when life doesn’t make sense.

As we close our study of 1 Timothy, we reflect on the importance of what we treasure. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 remind us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. The focus is not on what we have or don’t have, but on who we are becoming in Christ. Our character, our faithfulness, and our relationship with God matter far more than our possessions. Paul’s final words to Timothy urge us to fight for our character, to flee from the love of money, and to hold fast to the truth of the gospel.

We are reminded that wealth is not condemned, but it comes with dangers: pride, a false sense of security, and the temptation to trust in material things rather than in God. Most of us, by global standards, are rich, and we are called to use our resources purposefully—to do good, to be generous, and to share. Our wealth is a tool for blessing others, not a foundation for our identity or security.

Paul also charges us to guard the gospel, the precious deposit entrusted to us. The church is to be a pillar and foundation of truth, holding the message of Jesus high and protecting it from distortion. We must avoid distractions—irreverent debates, empty arguments, and cultural pressures that pull us away from the simplicity of Christ. Faithfulness is not achieved by our own effort, but by the grace of Jesus Christ. His empowering presence is with us, enabling us to be faithful until He returns.

Ultimately, salvation is not something we can earn or achieve on our own. We are sinners, unable to save ourselves, but Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Through His life, death, and resurrection, forgiveness, restoration, and freedom are possible for all who believe. As we take communion, we proclaim that His grace is enough for us today, and we trust Him alone.

Key Takeaways

1. Wealth is a tool, not an identity Wealth is not inherently evil, but it can easily become a source of pride or false security. The call is to use what we have for good, to be generous, and to hold our resources with open hands. Our identity and security must be rooted in Christ, not in what we possess. [58:40]
2. Guard the gospel with vigilance The truth of Jesus—His saving work and lordship—is a precious deposit entrusted to us. We are called to protect it, not distort or dilute it, and to lift it high for all to see. This requires intentionality, courage, and a deep love for the truth, even when it is countercultural. [63:11]
3. Avoid distractions that erode faith Endless debates, clever arguments, and cultural noise can slowly pull us away from the simplicity of Christ. Faithfulness often fades not through dramatic failure, but through gradual distraction. Staying focused on Jesus and the essentials of the faith is vital for spiritual health. [66:11]
4. Faithfulness is only possible by grace No amount of effort or discipline can make us truly faithful on our own. It is the empowering presence of Jesus—His grace with us—that enables us to persevere, to love, and to serve. Grace is not just a starting point, but the sustaining power for the entire Christian life. [67:47]
5. Salvation is found in Christ alone We cannot save ourselves; our sin separates us from God. But Jesus came to save sinners, offering forgiveness and new life to all who trust Him. This is the heart of the gospel, and the invitation is open to everyone who will believe. [72:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:54] - Responding to Scars and Pain
[44:08] - Prayer for Healing and Restoration
[46:00] - Kids Church and Announcements
[47:56] - The Value of Letters and 1 Timothy
[50:14] - Paul’s Final Instructions
[52:37] - Character Over Possessions
[54:58] - Who Is Truly Rich?
[56:20] - Recognizing Our Own Wealth
[57:04] - Dangers of Wealth
[58:40] - Pride and False Security
[60:49] - Using Wealth Purposefully
[63:11] - Guarding the Gospel
[66:11] - Avoiding Distractions
[67:47] - Faithfulness by Grace
[69:38] - The Heart of the Gospel
[72:13] - Invitation to Salvation
[74:09] - Communion and Trusting Jesus
[75:14] - Closing Prayer and Communion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:17–21 (ESV) — > As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
> O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
> Grace be with you.

- Matthew 6:19–21 (ESV)
> Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Timothy 6:17–19, what specific instructions does Paul give to those who are rich in this present age?
In Matthew 6:19–21, what does Jesus say about the connection between our treasure and our heart?
What are the dangers of wealth that Paul warns about in 1 Timothy 6? ([58:40])
What does Paul mean when he tells Timothy to “guard the deposit entrusted to you”? ([01:03:11])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize not setting our hope on riches, but on God? What does this reveal about where our security should come from? ([58:40])
How can our scars and pain become places where God’s mercy and healing are poured out, according to the sermon? ([41:54])
What does it look like for a church to be a “pillar and foundation of truth” in today’s world? ([01:03:11])
The sermon mentions that faithfulness is only possible by grace, not by our own effort. How does this shape the way we approach spiritual growth and obedience? ([01:07:47])

Application Questions

The sermon says that most of us, by global standards, are rich. In what ways do you see yourself as “rich,” and how might that affect your attitude toward generosity and sharing? ([56:20])
Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to find your identity or security in what you have, rather than in Christ? What would it look like to shift your trust to God in those areas? ([58:40])
The message warns about pride and a false sense of security that can come with wealth. Can you think of a time when you relied on your own resources instead of God? What was the result? ([58:40])
Paul urges Timothy to “guard the gospel.” What are some practical ways you can protect and lift up the truth of Jesus in your daily life, especially when it’s countercultural? ([01:03:11])
The sermon talks about avoiding distractions that erode faith. What are some specific distractions in your life right now that might be pulling you away from the simplicity of Christ? How can you address them this week? ([01:06:11])
When you think about your scars—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—how might God be using them to draw you closer to Him or to help others? ([41:54])
The sermon reminds us that salvation is found in Christ alone, not in our own efforts. Is there an area where you are trying to “earn” God’s favor? How can you rest more fully in His grace this week? ([01:12:13])

Sermon Clips

He's talking about pridefulness. He's talking about being conceited because you have accumulated something. It's talking about somebody that has and makes the assumption that the wealth that they have is because of them, not because of God. That's what it means to be haughty. Look at what I have accomplished. Look at what I have done. And I don't give thanks to God for what he has provided. Rather, I assume that it's because of my good work. And so he says to the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty. [00:58:36] (41 seconds) #UseWealthForGood

God can be trusted, but money comes and goes. I'm sure that we have testimony even in this room of people who have experienced times of plenty and times of want. They have seen money come and they have seen money go. The point of this letter and the point of this portion of the letter is to remind them that false teachers chased after money, but the shepherds of the church were to be chasing after righteousness. The world looks to wealth. The church looks to God. [01:00:29] (34 seconds) #FaithfulUntilJesusReturns

This is what we are called to, to hold the message high, to protect this message until the day that we stand before Jesus Christ. That's Paul's word to Timothy. Timothy, don't waver. Don't slip. Hold on to this truth. Hold on to this truth. Be faithful with the gospel. Never let go. Live it out on a daily basis. Make it your life's ambition to be faithful with the gospel. [01:04:31] (34 seconds)

He's saying, I want you to avoid speculation. I want you to avoid myths. I want you to avoid endless debates that don't prove to be of any value. I want you to avoid clever sounding teachers. I want you to avoid the cultural pressures, the empty religions, the prideful arguments. I want you to avoid those things and I want you to hold on to the truth. Avoid the distractions. Avoid the things that cause controversy. Avoid the endless and the pointless debates. [01:05:48] (33 seconds)

It's not how he ends the book. He doesn't end the book by saying, now don't mess up and make sure that you pastor this church perfectly. He doesn't do that either. Rather, at the end of the book, when it's time to close the book, he doesn't say, here's what you need to do. He just reminds him, hey, grace will be with you. Grace will be with you. May, in other words, may God's empowering presence be with you as you take this task, Timothy, in Ephesus. [01:08:16] (33 seconds)

May God's empowering presence be with you. May you recognize that you're not alone. In fact, that may be the best news in the entire book, that God's grace is with you, that his grace is sufficient for you, that you don't have to do this alone, that faithfulness is never achieved by our efforts. We can't, we can't do enough on our own in order to earn God's favor. Faithfulness is achieved by walking faithfully with Jesus, by recognizing that his grace is sufficient, by being reminded that his grace is with us. [01:08:49] (44 seconds)

I want you to use all of your material resources in order to advance the kingdom, amen, but you need to understand that you can only do that effectively through the grace of Christ. And one day, I want you to be able to stand before Jesus, but know that the only way that that's ever going to happen is through the grace of Jesus Christ. That's the message of the book. [01:09:57] (22 seconds)

And the message that Paul leaves with Timothy, it's a simple message, but it's a life-changing message. And it's a message for everybody who can hear my voice, whether you're in the room or you're online this morning. It's a message for you, that you, as Eric said when he was up in the tank, that you are a sinner. And because you're a sinner, you cannot save yourself. You just can't do it. You don't have the ability to save yourself because your sin has separated you from God. [01:12:00] (32 seconds)

But by grace, Jesus came into this world in order to save sinners. That's why he came, to save sinners out of his great love for you and me. That's why he came. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. How many of us were lost? How many of us have found salvation? That's why he came. And he did this by living a life that we can never live and dying a death in our place so that we could have eternal life. [01:12:33] (40 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to guard the gospel faithfully?

How can wealth lead to false security?

Why is God's grace essential for faithfulness?