SOME THINGS MONEY CANNOT BUY

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. One of the most common temptations is that of a desire to      
      obtain wealth. Material things become a "god" to many. Eph. 5:5
      1. All kinds of evil results from pursuing wealth, and one of  
         the greatest is that our eyes are blinded to the more       
         important things.
   B. The Lord considered this to be temptation to his disciples;    
      they needed warning. So do we today. Mt. 6:19-21
      1. 1 Tim. 6:9-10 - Money itself is not evil; it is the love of 
         it that God condemns. The word "erred" or "strayed" can also
         be translated "seduced." They have been seduced from the
         faith by love for money.
   C. Ours is a "materialistic age." Christians are not exempt.
      1. The first concern of many is "which job will pay more?"
         Some move with no consideration to other matters.
      2. Young people are urged to pursue careers with the greatest
         "advantages," "marry someone with a future," etc. Lot made
         this same mistake. Genesis 13:12
   D. The Bible shows that making material goals our main concern, to
      the exclusion of spiritual, is foolish. Luke 12:16-21 
      1. One who has accumulated wealth is considered successful
         and wise by the world's standards. Luke 16:15
         a. Uncertainty of wealth. 1 Tim. 6:17; Prov. 23:4-5; Eccl.
            5:13-15
      2. Let's consider some things which money cannot buy.

I. GOOD CHARACTER AND REPUTATION. Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1
   A. Character defined: "What one is at heart." One can have
      reputation, and be hypocritical. Character is the real person
      within, what God looks upon, what God knows us to be, not
      what others think.
      1. Good character stays with a person. It follows him wherever
         he goes.
   B. It's a great challenge to build character. Time and careful
      forethought are required.
   C. Some children are taught that certain acts are wrong because
      society disapproves, not because God disapproves.
      1. Children need to be taught that God sets the rules. Ex.
         Joseph - Gen. 39:9
   D. Right character and reputation gains the confidence of others, 
      and influences them to follow you as you follow God. Phil. 3:17
      1. Those who live righteously and godly have opportunity to
         teach and influence others for good. They can do this at
         every stage in their life-span.

II. TRUE FRIENDS.
   A. One cannot buy true friends with money. Prov. 14:20; 19:4,6
   B. Many have "fair weather friends."
      1. They are friends when things are going well, but in time of
         adversity they vanish. See book of Job; Prodigal son, Luke
         15
   C. A true friend loves at all times. Prov. 17:17
   D. True friends are made, not bought. Prov. 18:24
      1. This lesson is often missed by those who pity self because
         they have no friends. Even those who profess to be
         Christians do this.
      2. Service to others; interest in their welfare is what "wins"
         friends. Phil. 2:3-4
         a. Dorcas had those who appreciated her because of what
            she did. Acts 9:36,39

III. HAPPINESS.
   A. Many truly do not know what real happiness is. It is often
      confused with pleasure or having fun. The prodigal son thought
      that spending his substance on riotous living would bring him
      happiness.
      1. Such is but for a short season. Heb. 11:26
   B. Riches and wealth do not satisfy. Eccl. 5:10-12
      1. Sexual pleasures, drugs, alcohol, etc., only provide a very
         temporary happiness. Pain and misery often follow. Prov.
         5:1-11
   C. Where is the rich man who is happy as a result of his wealth?
      1. "Godliness with contentment is gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
         a. Many rich people have expressed how unhappy they
            really are, even though they have riches.
   D. Happiness is a result of being blessed by God. Matt. 5:1-12; 1
      Pet. 1:8
      1. "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord."  Psalms
         144:15

IV. ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
   A. People can enter many earthly organizations by use of money.
   B. Money doesn't mean one thing in gaining entrance into the
      kingdom of God.
      1. Consider Peter's rebuke to Simon the sorcerer who thought
         he could buy the gift of God with money. Acts 8:20-23
   C. Entrance is open to all on the same basis. All must admit their
      own spiritual poverty. Matt. 5:3.
      1. All must be willing to submit to God on His terms. When we
         humbly submit, we are all one in Christ. Gal. 3:26-29
      2. All must be "born again" to see kingdom. John. 3:3-5
         a. Notice that in John 3:1-2 Nicodemus did some bragging
            of Jesus. However, Jesus, more or less, is showing him
            that flattery will get him nowhere. He had to be born
            again.
   D. The final entrance into heaven is impossible for those who     
      trust in riches. Mark 10:23-25
      1. Some think they can prove the Lord to be wrong - go to
         heaven in spite of their trust in riches.
      2. They think that if they can find "a very large needle and a
         very small camel," it will take care of it. However, let's  
         do as the Lord admonished and never trust in riches.

V. ONE DAY OF LIFE.  Eccl. 8:8
   A. Most worldly people would give everything they possess to live 
      a while longer. The righteous are an exception. Job proved     
      Satan to be wrong. Job 2:4-5
      1. In most cases, the wicked would not repent if they were
         given more time.
      2. If they haven't obeyed God in the earlier years, they       
         probably won't on their death bed. In most cases, they fail 
         to realize that they are on their death bed.
      3. Thus, why would God want to give them more time? 2 Cor.
         6:1-2
   B. All material possessions are of no value when the time comes   
      for the spirit to depart the body.
      1. "Earth holds no treasures, but perish with using."

Concl.
   A. What is our attitude toward material things?
      1. Are we seeking things money can buy, or things money
         cannot buy?
      2. Are we striving to lay up treasures on earth, or treasures  
         in heaven?
   B. Seeking the treasures and pleasures of this earth is an        
      endless, worthless, endeavor that profits nothing. They provide
      nothing of worth to the soul. They will cause us to be lost.
      1. Let us be wise enough to seek those things of lasting value,
         which bring true happiness and satisfaction, and which
         endure to everlasting life.