No lover of money (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7)
MONEY AND CHRISTIANS (INCLUDING ELDERS).
1) In 1 Tim. 3:3 Paul said an elder must not be “contentious” as well as no “lover of money.”
2) The parallel to this in Tit. 1:7; here Paul said elders are not be “greed of filthy lucre.”
3) Paul knew elders are not exempt from problems associated with wealth.
4) our ACTIONS are important. Our ATTITUDES also matter.
5) We can have the right actions and attitudes if our ALLEGIANCE is right.
6) CHRISTIANS AND “BRIBES.”
7) Ex. 23:8 – “take no bribes.”
8) Soldiers were bribed – Mt. 28:12-15).
9) In the book of Deut. (27:25), God said a person was cursed if he/she took a bribe that lead to the death of an innocent person.
10) God says He cannot be bribed (Deut. 10:17).
11) Honesty and integrity means Christians – some of whom may be elders – say “no” to bribes.
12) God’s people need to be above “being bought.”
“COVEOUTNESS.”
1) Covetousness describes a disproportionate desire for more, often desiring what someone else has.
2) God is opposed to His people – including elders – wanting more and more and feeling like they never have enough.
3) When God gave the Ten Commandments to His people His final commandment involved “coveting.”
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5) Covetousness is a major topic in the Bible.
6) The Corinthians were told to avoid having fellowship with a covetous member of the church (1 Cor. 5:11).
7) The Corinthians were also told those who covet will not be in heaven (1 Cor. 6:10).
8) Covetousness is often linked with selfishness, greed and even ruthlessness.
9) Covetousness puts the emphasis on self instead of others and it feeds on unhappiness.
10) “Deception.”
11) Prov. 28:13 tells us those who try to cover up transgressions will not prosper.
12) In Num. 32:23 affirms “sin will be found out” at some point.
13) God wants His people to live according to Prov. 30:8 – “keep deception and lies far from me.”
14) If we are not or cannot be faithful with the wealth of this world (Lk. 16:11), God sees us as untrustworthy.
OUTRIGHT DISHONESTY.
1) Jacob and Esau (Gen. 27). Laban’s shenanigans with Jacob.
2) In Acts 5 we read about a husband and wife who were deceptive and dishonest.
A WRONG “ATTITUDE” WHEN IT COMES TO MATERIAL GOODS.
1) Most remember the man Jesus referred to as a “fool” in Lk. 12.
2) Ps. 52:7 refers to a man who “trusted in the abundance of his riches” instead of making God His strength.
3) Num. 11.
“ALLEGIANCE.”
