In our last study we looked at a rich, young man that came to Jesus wanting to know what he needed to do in order to have eternal life. We learned that like so many of us, this young man had a very wrong picture of religion. Now, in this study we'll continue with his story taking a look at.......

 

Riches and Their Dangers

Studies continued from Matthew 19:23-26

Also Mark 10:23-27

 

Day 1- What was it that kept the young man from following Jesus wholeheartedly?
Matthew 19:22

Day 2- Riches and wealth are not wrong in themselves. But what do we easily forget about riches?
Deuteronomy 6:10-12 / Deuteronomy 8:18 / 1 Chronicles 29:12 / Ecclesiastes 5:19

Day 3- Although riches will increase as God blesses us (Proverbs 28:20) what are we commanded NEVER to do?
Psalm 62:10

Day 4- What happens to those whose goal is to get rich rather than focusing on being faithful to serve God?
1 Timothy 6:9

Day 5- Jesus knew that the rich take on certain attitudes. As you read these next verses underline all the "I" and "my" words?
Luke 12:16-19

Day 6- You'll see that the first danger of wealth is acquiring a false self-sufficiency. A rich man soon has no need of God.
Hosea 12:8 / Luke 12:19 / Revelation 3:17

Day 7- When we put our trust in riches and count on them for our security rather than God, what are we guilty of?
Job 31:24,25,28 (especially verse 28)

Day 8- Riches easily move us from depending on God to depending on this world.
A. It deludes us into a state of false security
Matthew 24: 38-39

B. It destroys the influence of the truth.
Matthew 13:22

C. It makes earthly concerns dominant.
1 Corinthians 7:32-33

D. Worldliness governs the plans of all life.
Ephesians 2:1-3

E. It can lead to apostasy
2 Timothy 4:10

Day 9- The second danger of riches is complacency -- both in physical and spiritual things.
Proverbs 18:11 / Luke 12:19

Day 10- This is why Jesus gave us this warning.
Luke 12:15

Day 11- What is likely to happen to us in our complacency?
Proverbs 1:32 / Luke 12: 20-21

Day 12- What attitude is at the door silently waiting to take over a rich person's life?
1 Timothy 6:17

Day 13- How can this be prevented?
1 Timothy 6: 18-19

Day 14- Covetousness and greed lead naturally to a selfish life. Selfishness can take many forms:

A. Hoarding
Proverbs 11:26

B. Greed for real estate
Isaiah 5:8

C. Disregard for the rights of others
Jeremiah 5:1-5 / Ezekiel 34:18-21

D. Neglect of the needy and suffering
Ezekiel 16:49 / Matthew 25:43

Day 15- Perhaps the worst result is that we become religious in appearance but opposite in heart.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 / 1 John 3:17

Day 16- Wealth is not wrong. But the love of wealth IS wrong. What results from this greed?
Deuteronomy 32:15 / Proverbs 15:27 / Ecclesiastes 4:10 / Jeremiah 5:28 / 1 Timothy 6:10 / James 5:3

Day 17- What makes riches so fleeting and uncertain?
Job 20:28 / Psalm 49:10 / Proverbs 23:5 / Proverbs 27:24

Day 18- Thus for the miserly, why is the accumulation of wealth so disappointing?
Job 27:16-17 / Psalm 39:6

Day 19- Why not concentrate on God's business and let Him take care of yours?
Ecclesiastes 2:26 / Matthew 6:33

Day 20- A rich man may think that he has everything, but if he isn't careful, what great treasure (indeed the greatest treasure) will he never attain?
Matthew 19:23-24

Day 21- The fact that it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter Heaven caused the disciples some bewilderment. What question did they have for Jesus?
Matthew 19:25

Day 22- The disciples thought like so many of us mistakenly think. We think if we see a person who is living a good life, giving some of their time and money to others, working hard, raising a nice family, and going to church then certainly that person will be saved from eternal death. After all, they have earned it. Conversely, if we see a person who has made a mess of their life, then we conclude they can't be saved unless they clean up their life first. But notice from this verse the timing of when God gave us new life in Christ.
Ephesians 2:4-5

Day 23- It is while we are still in our mess -- "when we were dead in our transgressions" that we were saved. We don't have to be looking good in this world to come to Jesus. How is it that any man can be saved?
Ephesians 2:5b, 8-9 (notice in these verses the phrase that is repeated twice)

Day 24- Grace is God's riches extended to us at Christ's expense.
2 Corinthians 8:9

It is God taking the initiative towards us (as sinful men) to be loved by Him and used for His purposes in this world.
1 Timothy 1: 12-13

Day 25- Who then can be saved from eternal death? Jesus gives our answer in two competing phrases.
Matthew 19:26

Day 26- Jesus makes it very plain -- men cannot save themselves. No amount of money or effort can buy eternal life.
Romans 9:16 / Titus 3:5

Day 27- Salvation is possible to every man only because God makes it possible.
Romans 3:23-24 / Titus 2:11 / Titus 3:7

Day 28- Our only part in receiving eternal life is to accept the grace God is extending to us and repent (or turn) from all the pride and independence which has kept us apart from our Creator.
Romans 2:4

Day 29- When we accept God's grace, mercy, and kindness towards us what will we be led to express to the world around us?
Romans 10:9

Salvation is a miracle of God extended to any man who will reach out and accept it.
Romans 10:13