"How to Get Rich" Desire Series

How to get rich?
Proverbs 13:12 When our hope is distracted we start to desire things that are not going to fill the void in our lives. Augustine “our hearts are restless until they find rest in God” When “desire comes it is a tree of life” living life’s purpose

One of the top desires that we have is wealth, maybe you do not desire to wealthy but you would like to be financially taken care of with a little extra to play with.

Our series “with my mind on money” really seemed to have an impact on all of us, so I realize money is something we all think about.

What does the Bible say about the desire to be rich? Matthew 6:19-21

Clear up any misconceptions this verse is not condemning having material possessions, saving for retirement or future planning. It is stating what your first priority should be.

The first thing we have to look at is why we should not focus too much energy on storing up treasures on earth.
Because it will not last, there is no guarantee that it will be there and most importantly it can be a huge distraction.

Mark 4:18-19 thorns of riches choke out their effectiveness for the Lord
1 Timothy 6:9 desire to be rich we fall into trouble
Eccles 2:9-11 the wealth leaves us lacking “Vanity chasing the wind”, “there was no profit under the sun”

I want to take a look at story from the Bible about a meeting a rich young ruler had with Jesus.

Luke 18:18-23 The assumption this man was under was Jesus was just a man
-No one is good only God is, so in order to have eternal life you would have to be perfect. So in reply Jesus said that the rich man was lacking from the perfect standard.

-Jesus says if the man sold everything and gave to the poor there would be “treasure in heaven” not you will go to heaven.

Then He said follow me

Luke 18:24-29
V26 The disciples were taken back because Jewish people at that time believed someone with great wealth must be blessed by God and the poor are cursed. Another thing that perplexed them was that wealth can keep people out of heaven.

When we compare Scripture with Scripture we see Zacchaeus in Luke 19 a rich man who trusts in Jesus and displays it by giving half of his possessions away. Jesus says “today salvation has come to this house”

V27 Then Jesus puts the emphasis on that people cannot save themselves only God can. God does offer Salvation to all and it is not by works it is through faith in Jesus.

Vrs 28-29 Peter reminds Jesus of their commitment and Jesus responds with two things
You will be blessed here in this “present age” and the “age to come”

Let me make a statement about being blessed in this “present age” God will bless you if you are seeking after Him.

What I really want to focus in on are these “treasures” or “blessings” in the age to come because that is truly the core of becoming rich.

First lets look at a key passage 1 Cor. 3:11-15 the foundation of what we do needs to be Jesus, that means we are doing “good works” in view of Him.


“Day” = Judgment seat of Christ 2 Cor 5:10 The time in which this will happen will be after the church is raptured, and it will take place before the “Millienial Riegn” If you are a little confused you can go to the5church.com and listen to the end times series that I taught in December.

Let me illustrate for you by sharing a reward system we have in our house with our children.
The Jewel Jars

So what are we as believers evaluated on? What are our Investments so to speak?
1. Following the Word of God
Mathew 5:19 Obeys commands and teaches them
Matthew 6:1-4 we are rewarded for helping the less fortunate
Matt 10:41-42 Acts of Kindness
Matt 16:27 Rewarded for our works
Luke 6:34-36 loving enemies

2. Being a faithful steward of what you are entrusted with. Luke 19:11-27 Faithful in little given much.
1 Cor. 3:5-8 Being a good steward in evangelism/discipleship
1 Cor. 4:2,5 Faithfulness, receive praise from God
Luke 6:22-24 rewarded for remaining faithful in persecution.

3. Our motives 1 Cor. 4:5 reveals the heart
If you are involved in a ministry or you are doing something “in the name of the Lord” for someone and deep down inside you want others to say look at how great that person is. You lost the reward that you would have gotten.
Jesus constantly rebuked the Pharisees for that.
Bottom line is anything done for the Lord is rewarded


So what is the deal with “Suffering loss”
3 ways we can understand that,
1. we know there are rewards to be had and when we are at the judgment seat we realize they are not ours.
2. we wasted time and had bad motives for doing what we did.

3. Feel shame 1 John 2:28 says And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.


Another question arises, will we not be envious of others because they received more rewards? At the time of your judgment maybe if you can see the judgment of others but not in eternity because there is no sin.

Should a motivation for following the Lord be the rewards? The Bible says yes 1 Corinthains 9:24 “run in such a way that you my obtain the prize”

C.S. Lewis "...If we consider...the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures...like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a vacation at the beach. We are far too easily pleased."

What are the rewards? And when are they enjoyed?
Primarily the rewards will be used and enjoyed in the 1000 year reign of Christ where believers will reign with Him.

Matt 25:19-23 & Luke 19:11-27 help us understand these rewards are. This parable that was repeated in Matthew and Luke speaks of a master that leaves his servants in charge while he is away establishing a kingdom elsewhere, when he comes back he finds 2 servants double the money he gave them and one hides it. To the two that double it he rewards to the one that does not he and he takes his money or responsibility from him.
1. Commendation, well done.
2. Joy and a closer fellowship
3. Greater responsibility and service in the 1000 year reign of Christ. 10 cities

The Bible also speaks of 5 different crowns for Christians that go over and above in there obedience to Christ.
Some suggest that the crowns thrown down in worship. The 24 elders in Revelation 4 is where this teaching comes from and scholars don’t agree that this is what we do with them.
So do you want to be rich? It is hard to imagine and our society conditions us to have things instantly and this is something delayed.
But God’s word encourages us to press on and not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9 “let us not grow weary in doing good because in due season we shall reap”
Jewels in the Jar.
Every time you act in obedience to the Word,
Every Time you Act in faithfulness especially in the small stuff and
Everything thing done with the proper and pure motive God will make you rich and you are guaranteed that treasure in heaven.