How to live... in a Recession  1 Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19

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• Godly contentment 1 Timothy 6:6. Paul uses a very particular word for ‘contentment’ which actually means a contentment which is independent of outward circumstances. In Philippians 4:11 the same word is used again. Read on and we see that Paul is content whatever his circumstances may be, good or bad, and the reason for that is that he can do all things through Christ. (1 Timothy 6:13). Now, more than at other times, we need to ensure that the source and centre of our joy is found in Christ rather than in outward circumstances. A recession will sharpen the issues here for us.
• Be realistic 1 Timothy 6:7. We come with nothing and whatever we accumulate during the years we are given on earth, we will leave with nothing. The rich man died and the question was asked – what did he leave – the answer? Everything! To see it like this puts everything we gain now in perspective and alerts us to the wider perspective of eternity.
• Be thankful 1 Timothy 6: 8. This verse reminds us that the Bible does not teach poverty as a virtue. If we have food and clothing (and the word almost certainly includes the idea of shelter as well) we will be content. You cannot be content if you are destitute. There is a basic minimum that we need in life. But if we do have food, clothing and shelter than we should be content. The reason that we can fail to be so is if we find our contentment in the ‘extras’. The trouble with extras is that we always need more of them to be really content. Well there may not be any extras in a recession. Be thankful for what you have.
• Be aware 1 Timothy 6: 9-10. If your desire in life is to be rich then Satan can easily tempt you, set a trap for you and even bring you to ruin. He snares and ruins many who gamble, people who spend heavily on credit cards, and the whole drugs trade driven by greed for money leads to the evils of prostitution and crime. To love money is a root of all kinds of evil. What do we love God or money? – a recession will tend to expose where our true love is when there is very little money. Be aware.
• Be hopeful 1 Timothy 6:17. Rich people can have all their hope vested in wealth and then; can we really believe it, we suddenly find that even British Banks aren’t safe in the way we thought they were. As for the Stock Exchange….! Our hope needs to be in God – that should be true at all times, but even more clearly so in the bad times.
• Be generous 1 Timothy 6:18. ‘Rich in good deeds’ could be a warning to the rich not to be the ‘idle rich’. Our mission as a church is funded by very generous giving. But our mission is also limited by our financial resources. Supposing we could double our income, how much more we could do. Some people have the ability to make money, don’t be satisfied just to sit on what you have, don’t be idle rich. Make more money and give it for the mission of the church. By your generosity so much good could be done.
• Invest 1 Timothy 6:19. Christians often think that when they give their money then they are giving it away, the Bible teaches that they are investing it. See Matthew 6:20. Invest money into a savings account right now and there will be a very poor return. Invest into the kingdom of God and there will be a rich return in heaven. In Luke 16:9 Jesus teaches that by using money we can make friends for ourselves in heaven! As we invest in God’s work it gives the opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed across the nations and for the poor to be helped. Those who’ve benefited via the gospel and help for the poor through your giving will be your friends who will be there to welcome you into heaven.