Many at The Fellowship are reading Andy Stanley’s book How to Be Rich. Andy is always easy to read, remember and apply to your everyday life. The book is great addition to the teaching from this last series on Making Change.
The big idea of Andy’s book is simply this … you’re rich, now live like it. Now I know most of you are saying … who me? I am not rich – that is the other guy. As a matter of fact, most people when asked to who the rich people are, give an answer that is usually twice what they make. You make a $100,000, then rich people make $200,000. One million? Then the rich are those worth two million and so on. But the truth is that you and I are in the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the world, but I am not even talking about money … you are rich because of Christ! If you are reading this and you know that Jesus is your Savior and that your sins are forgiven and that the God of the universe has come to dwell in your life, never leaving you nor forsaking you … YOU ARE RICH! You just may not think you are rich … and that is the problem. The secret to being good at being rich is acknowledging the truth about being rich. Once you acknowledge it, then you can start living like the rich person that you are.
As a rich follower of Jesus, here is what I know about my wealth:
- It all belongs to God.
- I am the manager … not the owner.
- All that I have comes from God.
- I trust God to meet all my needs.
- I am called to honor Him with my wealth.
- I am commanded to give generously to those who cannot reciprocate.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17–19
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
1 Chronicles 29:14–16 (NIV)
Have you ever noticed that you miss money you misspend … but you never miss money that was given to help someone in need? That is what happens when your focus is on living generously as the rich person you are. You have everything you need when the Spirit is leading you to give generously. Many of you have taken the 90 Day Challenge and I am so excited that you are trusting God to help you to change the way you think and live. Just remember …
- Less is More – live simply
- Stress is Bad – get out of debt
- Giving is Good – start honoring God with your giving
- Tomorrow Matters – prepare today for tomorrow
Today, we can begin to live like the rich people we are!
– Pastor Jerry
