Wealth in the Church Family: Integrity, Generosity, and Contentment

Devotional

Day 1: Godliness with Contentment is True Wealth

True wealth is not measured by money or possessions, but by a life marked by godliness and contentment. When people chase after riches, they often fall into temptation and harmful desires that lead to ruin, but those who find satisfaction in God’s provision experience freedom and peace. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and it can quietly take hold of the heart, leading people away from faith and into pain. Instead, gratitude for what God has given and a loose grip on material things allow us to be generous and to live in alignment with who we were created to be. [11:23]

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain, 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. But those who desire 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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find yourself discontent, and how might practicing gratitude for what you already have help you experience greater freedom and joy today?

Day 2: People Are the Wealth of the Church

A faithful church family recognizes that its true wealth is found in its people, not in its bank accounts or material resources. Investing in one another through honor, accountability, encouragement, and generosity creates a community where needs are met and lives are transformed. When the church functions as a family, sharing resources and caring for each other, it becomes a living testimony to the world of God’s love and provision. [07:11]

Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflection: Who in your church family could you encourage or support this week, and what is one practical way you can invest in their well-being?

Day 3: Integrity and Accountability in Leadership

Leadership in the church is a spiritual responsibility that requires both honor and accountability. Those who serve as elders or leaders are to be respected for their labor, especially in preaching and teaching, but they are also to be held accountable through fair and transparent processes. Integrity in leadership protects the church from harm, ensures justice, and models the character of Christ to the world. [18:36]

1 Timothy 5:17-20 (ESV)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Reflection: Is there a leader in your life you need to encourage or hold accountable? How can you approach them with both honor and honesty this week?

Day 4: Generosity and Stewardship of God’s Resources

Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and we are called to steward His resources with open hands and generous hearts. When we see our money, possessions, and abilities as gifts to be used for God’s glory and the good of others, we are freed from the trap of materialism and empowered to bless those around us. Generosity is not about the size of the gift, but about the willingness to share what we have and trust God to provide. [15:06]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Reflection: What is one possession or resource you can use to bless someone else this week, and how can you take a step toward more open-handed generosity?

Day 5: Wholeness—Caring for Body, Soul, and Community

God calls us to care for ourselves and others as whole people—body, soul, and spirit—recognizing that our health and well-being affect the entire church family. Wise self-care, practical support, and mutual encouragement help us flourish together and reflect the love of Christ. When we honor our own needs and the needs of others, we build a community marked by compassion, strength, and resilience. [24:59]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Reflection: What is one way you can care for your physical or emotional health this week, and how might doing so help you better serve and support your church family?

Sermon Summary

Leadership and money are never neutral forces in the life of a church family. Both are always moving us in a direction—either toward trust, health, and gospel witness, or toward suspicion, harm, and division. The world is watching to see if we are truly different, if our community is shaped by the values of Jesus rather than the values of Wall Street or Washington. In this family, people are our true wealth, not our bank accounts. We are called to invest in one another through honor, accountability, generosity, and love, recognizing that the Spirit of God is at work among us to make us more like Jesus.

Paul’s wisdom to Timothy is deeply practical: honor those who lead well, especially those who labor in teaching, but also hold leaders accountable. Leadership is a spiritual danger zone, not a platform for personal gain. We must not be hasty in appointing leaders, but patient, knowing that integrity is more important than influence. The health of the church depends on transparency, courage, and fairness, not on covering up sin or playing favorites. We are a family, and that means sharing burdens, asking hard questions, and caring for the whole person—body and soul.

Money, too, is a test of our hearts. Jesus’ teaching on money is radically countercultural: life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and the craving for more can quietly own us, leading us away from faithfulness and into pain. True contentment is found not in what we have, but in godliness and gratitude. Everything we have is God’s, given to us to steward for his glory and the good of others. Generosity is not about giving away what is “ours,” but about recognizing that it was never ours to begin with.

We are called to hold wealth loosely, to cultivate gratitude, and to find our identity in Christ rather than in what we possess. The antidote to greed and anxiety is to loosen our grip, practice open-handed generosity, and invest in the flourishing of our church family. Our future does not depend on wealth or celebrity, but on faithfulness—on the Spirit of God growing fruit in our lives that nourishes both our family and our city. May we leave no room for greed, no tolerance for cover-up, and no hesitation in sharing honor, resources, and life together.

Key Takeaways

1. People Are the True Wealth of the Church The value of our community is not measured by financial resources, but by the flourishing of its people. When we invest in one another through honor, accountability, and love, we reflect the heart of God and build a family that endures. This kind of wealth cannot be measured in dollars, but in the depth of relationships and the presence of the Spirit among us. [05:29]
2. Integrity Matters More Than Influence Leadership is a spiritual danger zone, and the temptation to seek platform or recognition is real. God calls us to prioritize integrity over influence, trusting that he controls our reach and impact. When we focus on character and faithfulness, we avoid the traps that have brought down so many and protect the witness of the church. [21:05]
3. Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain The pursuit of wealth for its own sake is a snare that leads to ruin, but godliness with contentment brings true freedom. Contentment is not complacency, but a deep trust that God provides what we need. When we loosen our grip on possessions and cultivate gratitude, we are set free to be generous and to experience the joy of living in God’s abundance. [36:02]
4. Hold Wealth Loosely, Practice Generosity Wealth is not evil, but the love of money can quietly enslave us. The only safe way to hold wealth is with open hands, recognizing that all we have is a gift to be stewarded. Gratitude and generosity protect our hearts from greed and allow us to bless others, making our resources a means of grace rather than a source of anxiety. [40:27]
5. The Health of the Family Depends on Each Member Just as a family meal is affected when one person is struggling, the health of the church depends on the well-being of each member. We are called to care for one another as whole people—body, soul, and spirit—and to share both burdens and joys. Our faithfulness together is what makes the church a true family and a witness to the world. [44:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Leadership Is Never Neutral
[01:13] - Money: Blessing or Trap
[02:20] - The World Is Watching
[03:36] - Human Resources and Family
[05:00] - People as the Church’s Wealth
[06:28] - A Story of Community Generosity
[07:37] - Honoring and Holding Leaders Accountable
[08:49] - Accountability and Transparency in Leadership
[11:23] - The Trap of Riches
[13:16] - True Wealth: Family and Integrity
[16:00] - The Spiritual Danger Zone of Leadership
[20:05] - Discernment in Appointing Leaders
[26:21] - The Love of Money and Contentment
[32:00] - Confession, Integrity, and Family Health
[36:02] - The Root of All Kinds of Evil
[40:27] - Holding Wealth Loosely
[42:13] - Gratitude, Contentment, and Generosity
[44:20] - The Health of the Family
[45:43] - Faithfulness, Fruit, and the Future

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1 Timothy 5:17–6:10 (ESV)

> 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
> 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
> 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
> 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
> 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
> 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
> 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
> 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
> 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
> 6:1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
> 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
> Teach and urge these things.
> 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
> 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
> 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
> 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
> 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
> 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
> 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
> 10 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.

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### Observation Questions

According to Paul, what qualities should be present in church leaders, and how should the church treat those who lead well? (see vv. 17–20)
What warnings does Paul give about appointing new leaders in the church? (see v. 22)
How does Paul describe the relationship between godliness, contentment, and wealth? (see vv. 6–8)
In the sermon, what did the pastor say is the true wealth of the church? [05:29]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize both honoring and holding leaders accountable? How does this balance protect the health of the church family? [08:49]
What does it mean that “leadership is a spiritual danger zone, not a platform for personal gain”? How might this perspective change the way we view leadership roles in the church? [16:00]
The sermon says, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and the craving for more can quietly own us.” In what ways can the desire for wealth subtly affect our faith and relationships? [12:30]
The pastor mentioned that “people are our true wealth, not our bank accounts.” How does this idea challenge the way we usually measure success or value in a church? [05:29]

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### Application Questions

The sermon calls us to invest in one another through honor, accountability, generosity, and love. What is one practical way you could honor or encourage someone in our church family this week? [06:28]
Are there areas where you have been tempted to value influence or recognition over integrity? What would it look like to prioritize character and faithfulness instead? [21:05]
The pastor said, “We must not be hasty in appointing leaders, but patient, knowing that integrity is more important than influence.” How can we as a group help ensure that our church’s leadership process values integrity over charisma or popularity? [20:05]
When you think about your own relationship with money, do you see any signs of holding on too tightly or finding your identity in what you have? What is one step you could take to “hold wealth loosely” this month? [40:27]
The sermon described generosity as recognizing that everything we have is God’s, not ours. Is there a resource (time, money, skills, possessions) you feel God might be inviting you to share more freely? What’s holding you back? [15:06]
The health of the church depends on the well-being of each member. Is there someone in our community who might be struggling right now? How could you reach out to share their burden or offer support this week? [44:20]
The pastor encouraged us to “leave no room for greed, no tolerance for cover-up, and no hesitation in sharing honor, resources, and life together.” Which of these is most challenging for you, and what is one way you could grow in that area? [46:35]

Sermon Clips

The world is watching to see if the church is different than Wall Street or Washington. Are we in a different kingdom or are we just going to play by those same principles? And it's always a caution. So Paul, the apostle, he's planted this church with Timothy, leaves him with this church and offers really practical wisdom about what a gospel-centered, gospel-shaped church does to honor leaders who are doing the right thing, keep them accountable, correcting abuses at the same time, and stewarding the resources and keeping the witness clear. [00:02:40] (40 seconds) #KingdomIntegrity

There’s wealth that’s outside of just, you know, just cash and exchange, right? And that was fun to show to Pauli, like, this is what a networked community looks like. This is what the people of God look like. We want to make sure we're a part of a people. And I know many of you crave that. I mean, some of you crave that more than you crave Jesus. That's something we got to consider. Like, I just want community. Yeah, but our community is focused on Jesus. Now, you're welcome. You're welcome here. And you can belong here. But this is who we're becoming. We're becoming like Jesus. [00:06:59] (33 seconds) #CommunityInChrist

So what has to happen is, sure, God brings the growth, but that integrity has got to be the thing that really matters. And so, for my last couple years, what God has been impressing on me is I control my integrity, He controls my influence. Think about that for yourself. I control my integrity, He controls my influence. If God doesn't want it for me, I don't want it because I don't think I like the stratosphere and the rattle and the boom and the fireworks show over the city with the big scandal exposed and the, oh, isn't it amazing? Because the debris is pretty wild. [00:21:38] (36 seconds) #WholePersonWellness

Money and work trap us in new forms of servitude. And so, we still have to be thinking, am I working for God or am I working for gain? Do I trust that God controls how much, how many resources I have to steward? I hope I trust that. Even when the stock market does its things, you know, and I'm like, well, that's, I just, I think I lost more today than I made all year kind of thing, you know, you're like, that's interesting. That's not true though. Maybe all month or all summer, how about that? So, so when you look at those different things, am I going for wealth? Am I going for money? Or am I going, am I just working for God? [00:29:30] (42 seconds) #ConfessAndBeFree

And that changes when you decide you're going to work for God today, not for your boss. And you're going to honor him by not, not just honoring him, but by working for God. That's a whole different way to live and a whole different way to work. When people that are very wealthy are asked, how much do you really need to be content? They usually say something like, well, obviously more than this. So a little bit, you know, I think it was Rockefeller who was quoted first going like, well, you know, more, more than I've got. And so there's a trap there. [00:30:12] (30 seconds) #DignityAndIntegrity

Godliness is great gain because you're actually living in alignment with who you were created to be in the first place. So don't consider the admonition to not sin as, oh, they're just coming down on me. Actually, we want freedom for you because all that sin is going to be exposed anyway. How many of you were really good at hiding sin for a while? I mean, you're really good at it. Yeah, like nobody knew and then some of us are like, yeah, kind of I knew but okay, I didn't say anything about it but that's, but you know, I'm really good at hiding it and it's like, what's going to come out? [00:31:48] (32 seconds) #ContentmentIsWealth

So why not confess? Humble yourself and confess or be humiliated and exposed, right? Just like, well, just humble and confess. It's better. It is better. So investing in people's true wealth is upholding dignity, calling them to integrity no matter their social status. We're not playing favorites. It can't be, it can't be like, well, they're too big, too big to be confronted. Like, no, we just, we need to not care about them. [00:32:20] (44 seconds) #LoveNotMoney

That's my, is that what's happening? Okay, so that little dash that I've got here, I've got to get it all in now because this is all that matters. And Jesus is like, whoa, that's a trap, man. That's such a trap. And you're going to be somewhere on the scale of the trap. But we're all in a trap because we live here. So, you have to be thinking this and it would be a good one to just memorize this. Can you imagine if you woke up just with this on your mind, godliness with contentment is great gain. I brought nothing into the world. I can't take anything out of the world. If I have food and I have clothing, I should be enough. [00:35:25] (36 seconds) #SafeguardsForLeaders

In contrast to this epidemic of inordinate desire for wealth, inordinate, and there's that craving, that lust, and the goods that it promises, the only right and safe way to hold wealth's goods is loosely. With a protective detachment coating, the protective detachment coating your hands that keeps you from grasping wealth's goods and hurting yourself. The key ingredient in that protective coating is gratitude. This is all what God has given me, these gifts to pass along. God has given me these gifts to steward. I'm so thankful that God has given me the spiritual gift. I'm so thankful that God has given me these physical gifts. [00:40:10] (48 seconds)

Gratitude and contentment can set us free to be generous with what we have instead of being held captive by what we don't have. I'm going to say that again. This gratitude and contentment can set us free to be generous with what we have instead of being held captive by what we don't. that relationship, that car, that house, that job, that I've got to have it, I've got to have it all. And it's like, we need to own you too. That'll be great. Let's do this. So the antidote is to loosen the grip, cultivate gratitude, find your identity in Christ, not in what you have, and then just use what you have to bless, serve, right? [00:42:03] (46 seconds)

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