Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Dec. 2, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

HOW TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:8-19

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Introduction: Notice in our text verse that God gives us RICHLY all things to ENJOY!

It is not a sin to HAVE money; it is a sin to LOVE it.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It is not a sin to BE rich; it is a sin to SEEK to be rich.

Proverbs 23:4-5 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

To be rich in the RIGHT way is to be content with what God has allowed you to have!

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Let me give you some scriptures and application of them today to help us to enjoy what we have.

I. LEARN TO BE HAPPY WITHOUT WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE

Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Some people are always living in a dream world, hoping for a better house, a better car, finer clothes, and better furniture. They are never happy with what they have.

Let me give you a few tips of how to learn to be happy and to live without what you don’t have:

A. Retreat from advertising attacks

Don’t read the ads in the paper unless you really need something.
Mute the TV at commercials. Turn down the radio at commercials.
Don’t go “window shopping.” — The mall, downtown, or the Home Shopping Network!

B. Refrain from making sudden purchases

Most salesman know that if you don’t make the purchase of their product TODAY, there is a good chance that you won’t buy it at all!
Especially with BIG purchases, wait for at least three days after the impulse “strikes” you to actually make the purchase. During that time, ask God if you should do it.

C. Realize that everything decays and falls apart eventually

Almost nothing that man makes is completely “maintenance free.”
Some of the rougher neighborhoods in cities were at one time the best places in town to live.
The junk yards are full of what were once the latest, newest, and most expensive automobiles.

D. Realize the pitfalls of having more things

Maintenance
Storage
Taxes
Theft
Envy
Your own boredom

II. LOOSEN YOUR HEART FROM WHAT YOU DO HAVE

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

A. Some of the things you have are just TOYS

Babies fight over toys.
Children long for toys.
Toys are often discarded after the “new” wears off.

B. Some of the things you have are or should be TOOLS

C. All of the things you have are TEMPORARY

III. LIST WHAT YOU DO HAVE AND ENJOY THOSE THINGS

1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

You may be richer than you think! For instance, have you ever considered how valuable it is to have

A. Finances

B. Food and clothing

1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

C. Family

D. Forgiveness from sin

E. Freedom from sin

F. Fellowship with God

G. Friends in Christ

A friend helped me find someone to finance this property for us when we found it. It was a deal, 10 acres in the city limits for$15,000, and he helped us find someone to loan us the money so we didn’t miss out on it. The Lord allowed us to pay the loan off in a year and a half.
I have friends in this church who would do anything they could for me and my family. I’m RICH.
Not only that, but I have friends all over the country and all over the world because of our ministry in publishing and over the Internet.
If you have friends, TREASURE them!

IV. LEND A HAND WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

1 Timothy 6:17-18 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

A. Be hospitable

B. Be hard-working

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

C. Be helpful

One of the best ways to get over depression is to take what you DO have — talents, time, and money — and do something for someone who is in need.