The Rich, the Poor and the Church
Read the sermon here
Are unemployment, inequality and poverty issues that the church should be concerned about? What are we doing at AMC to make a difference in these areas? What more could/should we be doing?
Are you rich? Are you poor?
Discuss the following statements:
If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your
back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the
world.
If you have money in the bank, your wallet, and
some spare change you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
“Jesus’
lifestyle brings real satisfaction/contentment”
What was Jesus’ lifestyle in the context of wealth and poverty and is it really
worth emulating?
Discuss the following verses from 1 Tim 6:6-19 (Good
News Version):
Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are
satisfied with what we have.
So
then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us.
But those
who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many
foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction.
For the love
of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it
that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with
many sorrows.
Strive
for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
Command
those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place
their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who
generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.
Command them
to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with
others.
