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.