Be Rich: Learning the Secret of True Wealth

We live in a culture that’s constantly telling us to get more, keep more, and build more. But the Bible points us to a different way—a way that isn’t about guilt or pressure, but about generosity. At our church, generosity isn’t a demand; it’s an invitation.

Why Be Rich?
Every year we pause for three weeks to step into something we call Be Rich. It’s simple:

• Week 1: Give – How can we be generous financially?
• Week 2: Serve – How can we give our time and energy?
• Week 3: Love – How can we show our community the love of Jesus?

This series is rooted in Paul’s words to Timothy:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth… but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
(1 Timothy 6:17–18 NIV)

Paul was writing to Timothy in Ephesus, a wealthy city full of trade, culture, and religion. With so much wealth came temptation—temptation to chase money, status, and power. Paul reminds Timothy and the church that true life isn’t found in riches, but in God.

Generosity Is an Invitation
Generosity flows from gratitude. We give to what we’re thankful for. We give to what breaks our heart. When we live this way, we find that generosity doesn’t drain us—it frees us.

Putting It into Practice
This year, we’re focusing our giving on two local causes:

• Lesmurdie Primary School P&C – Supporting the next generation through parents, staff, and community.
• Ark Australia – A network supporting foster families in our area, ensuring vulnerable kids are cared for with love.

We’re also challenging everyone to take small, practical steps:

• Give: Aim to give $25.99 (the cost of Netflix Premium—because we’re called to be “premium givers”!). Some can give more, others less, but everyone can participate.
• Serve: Start with committing to 2 hours a month serving in your community.
• Love: Show love to a neighbour with food, a gift, or simply your presence.

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Imagine if our church became the kind of community that would be missed if we weren’t here. That’s the vision of Be Rich: to live generously with our money, our time, and our love, so that others see Jesus in us.

Author

Josh has been on staff at Lesmurdie Baptist Church since 2018. He is married to Marnel and they have 4 children together - Azaliah, Ezra, Zoelle, and Zion. What drives Josh is seeing people put their faith into action so Jesus can change lives in the here and now.

(This article has been written with the help of Chat-GPT for research and editing)