Rich in Good Works: Living Generously for Missions

Paul charges “them that are rich in this world,” and that charge lands closer to home than most Americans want to admit. Wealth is not measured by comparison with billionaires in America, but by comparison with the world, where billions live on almost nothing. God has allowed many believers to enjoy food, clothing, transportation, electricity, clean water, homes, and more than enough stuff. God gives those blessings without shame, but He also attaches a responsibility to them.

Paul first warns the rich not to be high minded. American citizenship, ability, health, opportunity, strength, and possessions are not personal achievements that give anybody room to boast. God chose where a person would be born and what opportunities that person would receive. Christ will not be impressed by the size of a house, the car in the driveway, the retirement account, or the decorations on the wall. Eternity will reveal what was sent on ahead and what was merely stored up for a few short years.

Paul also warns against trusting in uncertain riches. Money can buy medicine but not health, a wedding ring but not a happy marriage, a house but not a happy home, and presents but not friends. God is the source of love, joy, peace, satisfaction, and real security. The world keeps shouting that the next purchase will finally make a person happy, but the next version is always coming. Christ is the answer for what the heart actually needs.

Paul calls God’s people to do good and to be rich in good works. Salvation is by grace through faith, but saved people have been left in a dirty, rotten, stinking, sinful world because people need help. God’s people are called to notice needs, encourage hurting believers, share groceries, offer hospitality, give a ride, and be a blessing. A believer is not meant to be a big bucket collecting everything, but a conduit through whom God’s blessings flow to somebody else.

Paul further calls the rich to be ready to distribute and willing to communicate. Missions is bigger than placing a check in an offering plate. Missionaries need prayers, texts, emails, letters, care packages, and the simple assurance that somebody cares. God uses even small gifts given from a willing heart, and He allows every believer to have a part in work happening around the world. Eternal life becomes more real when eyes are lifted to fields that are white already to harvest.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Much given means much required God’s blessings carry responsibility, not permission for pride. Wealth, opportunity, and comfort are all on loan from Almighty God, and He will ask what was done for His kingdom with what He supplied. Eternity will expose the difference between possessions accumulated and treasure sent ahead. [67:49]
• 2. Riches are a shaky foundation Money promises status, security, satisfaction, and freedom, but it cannot deliver the deepest things a heart needs. God alone gives love, joy, peace, and the strength to endure trouble. Christ remains the answer when possessions prove uncertain. [72:35]
• 3. God’s people should do good Grace saves apart from works, but grace never leaves a believer without purpose. God places His people among hurting people so that practical love can become visible through help, encouragement, generosity, and service. A life rich in good works makes eternity matter now. [79:13]
• 4. Blessing flows through willing hands God does not bless His people merely to fill their own buckets. A ready heart looks for someone to encourage, feed, help, or serve before an emergency ever arrives. Giving becomes part of becoming more like the Father who gave and the Savior who came to serve. [83:32]
• 5. Missionaries need more than support Missionary care includes checks, but it also includes communication. A text, letter, prayer, or care package can steady a weary family serving far from home. God often uses one faithful friend to keep a missionary encouraged on a difficult field.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [48:39] - Missions Testimony From New Zealand and Thailand
• [51:40] - God Is Working Around the World
• [54:40] - God’s Heart for Local Churches
• [56:43] - Paul’s Charge Concerning Money
• [60:25] - The Rich in This World
• [65:51] - Wealth Brings Responsibility
• [68:50] - What Is Sent Ahead to Eternity
• [72:10] - Do Not Trust Uncertain Riches
• [74:52] - God Gives What Money Cannot
• [78:43] - Be Rich in Good Works
• [83:00] - Ready to Distribute
• [85:19] - Willing to Communicate With Missionaries
• [90:47] - Laying Up Treasure for Eternity
• [93:44] - A Practical Decision for Missions

1. In 1 Timothy 6:17–19, what attitudes and actions does Paul command of those who are rich in this world? [58:56]
2. What examples show why many people may be richer than they realize when compared with the rest of the world? [01:01:38]
3. According to the passage, what is described as uncertain, and in whom are believers told to trust instead? [01:12:28]
4. What practical examples were given of being “ready to distribute” and “willing to communicate”? [01:23:00]

1. Why does Paul warn wealthy believers against being high minded when their abilities, opportunities, health, and possessions may all be gifts from God? [01:10:40]
2. What does it mean that money can provide certain things but cannot give the deepest needs of the heart, such as peace, joy, security, or a healthy home? [01:12:48]
3. How can salvation be completely by grace through faith while believers are still commanded to be rich in good works? [01:18:43]
4. Why might Paul connect generosity, missionary encouragement, and good works with laying up a foundation for the time to come? [01:30:47]

1. What blessings from God are easiest to take for granted—such as health, work, education, transportation, a home, food, or freedom? How can gratitude for those blessings replace pride? [01:07:49]
2. Where is there a temptation to look to money, possessions, or the next purchase for security or satisfaction that only God can give? What would trusting the living God look like in that situation? [01:14:12]
3. Is there a need in the church, neighborhood, workplace, or family that has been noticed but not acted upon? What is one practical way to do good this week—through a meal, groceries, a ride, hospitality, encouragement, or another act of help? [01:20:07]
4. What could help a person become a conduit of God’s blessings rather than simply a bucket collecting more? Is there a small amount, gift card, extra item, or time that could be set aside to bless someone when the opportunity comes? [01:23:35]
5. Which missionary or missionary family could be encouraged this week with a specific prayer, text, email, letter, or care package? What could be said that would let them know they are remembered and valued? [01:26:42]
6. Jesus says the fields are white already to harvest. How could regular prayer for missions, giving, and communication with missionaries help lift a person’s eyes beyond everyday concerns and toward eternity? [01:31:34]