I would imagine that a good many of us will remember the Swedish pop-rock group ABBA, and their 1976 chart-topping song ‘Money, Money, Money.’ In case you’ve forgotten, the song’s catchy chorus goes like this:
Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man’s world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man’s world
Aha
All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It’s a rich man’s world
It’s a rich man’s world
While I’m certain that I don’t know all that the song’s authors, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, intended to communicate in these lyrics, I do know that they placed the emphasis upon a central and vital subject addressed frequently in the Word of God, riches.
Believe it or not, in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 the Apostle Paul directly references this ‘rich man’s world’ as he provides instruction to Timothy regarding his teaching and preaching ministry to the Ephesian Christians of the first century.
He says,
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
The fact is, our world, “this present age,” is indeed a ‘rich man’s world.’ And the voices emanating from this blue sphere, spinning in space around the sun, are persistently sounding the message, ‘Money, Money, Money.’
How then should believers like us live in such a world as this? What is our relationship to wealth and possessions? What are the dangers, duties, and delights of being richly blessed by our Father with material goods? What should the voices coming from the body of Christ be saying, or singing?
On Sunday, we will begin our deep exploration of the inspired words of the Apostle Paul found in this passage from his first letter to Timothy.
I love you all with all my heart,
Mike
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Women’s Ministry
• “End of Summer Soirée” Lunch following worship Sunday, August 10th in the Fellowship Hall. Please see this link to RSVP.
• Women’s monthly potluck luncheon is the first Thursday of every month at 11am at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse (1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro). All ladies are invited!
• Senior Sisters monthly meeting is on the third Thursday from 10-11:30am.
• Senior Sisters weekly exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10-11:30am.
Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9am on Tuesday, August 5th.
College and Career Ministry
• Summer fellowship will be Monday evenings for the months of June through August. Contact Jim or Sharon Daughtry for details.
• Young Ladies Summer Bible Study — Sunday evenings, 6pm at the home of Sharon Daughtry.
LOOKING AHEAD…
• The Ordination and Installation Service for Dr. Matthew Elliott, Associate Pastor – August 17th
• Celebration of Christ Presbyterian’s Twentieth Anniversary – August 24th
See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey; Perry Calvert; Beth Christopher; Amy Fortenberry; Robert Furniss; Elizabeth Holton; Suzanne Nimon; Ned Nuwayhid; mothers of Rhiannon and Chad Gay; and the fathers of Joseph Prinzinger & Amy Schnorrenberg.
Expecting – Please pray for the Garcias (church plant in Canada) due in August and the Prices due in October.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries:
• Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland)
• Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand)
• RUF at UAH
• Marcus and Jessica Nobles (RUF at Alabama A&M)
• Northeast Alabama FCA
• Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada)
• Dieter and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
• The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center
• Adam & Lisa Venable (Southside Presbyterian Church)
• Amos Williams (Hope City PCA Mission)