You are encouraged to share these notes on your favorite social media outlet and use the hashtag #highlandssermonnotes.
MORE OR LESS
1 Timothy 6:3–10, 17–21
I. When You Have Less, Cultivate the Art of Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6 says, But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Contentment is the wonderful gift of finding joy in what God has given you rather than grieving over what He has not.
Philippians 4:12 says, I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Contentment does not come from adding to what you have, but from subtracting from what you desire.
A. If getting rich is your goal, you cannot keep what you gain. (v. 7)
1 Timothy 6:7 says, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
B. If getting rich is your goal, you will encounter powerful temptations. (vv. 9–10a)
1 Timothy 6:9–10a says, 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.
C. If getting rich is your goal, you may wander from the faith. (v. 10b)
1 Timothy 6:10b says, It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith . . .
D. If getting rich is your goal, you will experience great sorrow. (v. 10c)
1 Timothy 6:10c says, pierced themselves with many pangs.
If you set your heart on money, money will break your heart.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Learn to enjoy what God has given you more than grieve what He has not.
II. When You Have More, Cultivate the Art of Holy Discontentment (vv. 17–19)
1 Timothy 6:17–19 says, 17 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. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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.
Luke 12:19,“Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’
Luke 12:21, So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
1 Timothy 6:18b–19, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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.
1 Timothy 6:18–19 says, 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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.
“The heart must have something to cling to . . . The most effectual way of withdrawing the mind from one object, is not by turning it away upon desolate and unpeopled vacancy, but by presenting to its regards another object still more alluring . . .You can’t change the human heart by telling people that the world is vain and worthless . . You have to set before people another object for their affection more worthy for their heart’s attachment so that the heart shall be prevailed upon to exchange an old affection for a new one.” – Thomas Chalmers
John 14:3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Love Christ more. You will love money less.