Spiritual wealth (2 Cor. 8:9) – A sermon on being spiritually rich

WHAT IF SOMEONE SAID TO US, “GOD WANTS US TO BECOME RICH.” HOW WOULD WE AGREE OR DISAGREE?

1. Our answer is found in 2 Cor. 8:9 – READ
2. When we hear the word “rich,” we may instantly think about money and possessions.
3. In the New Testament, this is not the sense of rich in 2 Cor. 8.
4. Paul had in mind “spiritual wealth.”
5. Jesus said in Mt. 6:21 that where our “treasure is,” there will be our “heart.”
6. We can set our heart on the things of this earth.
7. Or, our idea of wealth can take the form of spiritual wealth.
8. The greatest wealth is not physical – it is divine.
9. The first reason for this is based on duration.
10. In Mt. 6:19 Jesus said physical treasure is subject to at least three problems.
11. Heaven is a place that offers a type of “durable protection” for spiritual wealth.
12. A long time ago this was stated by a wise-man (Prov. 8:18 – READ).

13. When it comes to earthly treasure we know it can fluctuate in value.
14. God’s riches are guaranteed.
15. Mt. 25:34 says a kingdom has been “prepared from the foundation of the world.”
16. With treasure on the earth, we can know what it is worth.
17. We can put a price on virtually anything that man values.
18. God tells us the heavenly treasure is above our ability to fully comprehend – Eph. 3:8 – READ
19. We want to make a note of some of what He offers.
20. Eph. 1:7 refers to the “riches of His grace.”
21. God’s grace is a treasure. Forgiveness is a great, great gift.
22. Not only does forgiveness make us rich, sanctification becomes part of our spiritual portfolio.
23. Sanctification means “to set apart.”
24. This word is used in places like 1 Cor. 1:2.
25. One spiritual benefit available to all people is salvation, 2 Tim. 2:10.
26. Another spiritual treasure is found in 1 Thess. 4:15-18.
27. The Bible alone is a priceless treasure.
28. The riches of Christianity are also demonstrated in the person of Jesus Christ.
29. In Heb. 7:25 we are told Jesus can save us to the “uttermost.”
30. The Lord is a great spiritual treasure, but He is just one of the things found in Christianity.
31. Maybe one of the most intriguing treasures is found in 2 Cor. 4:16.
32. The spirit of a Christian is renewed each single day.
33. For the rest of our body, Rom. 8:18 says “glory is waiting.”
34. All the problems and issues of this life will one day be past.
35. Are we spiritually rich or are we spiritually poor?
36. Are we trying to help our children be spiritually rich, or are we leaving them in spiritual poverty?

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

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