TOPIC: Growth
REFERENCES: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV), 1 Timothy 6:17 (MSG), 1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT), 1 Timothy 6:7 (NIV), James 1:9-10 (NIV), James 4:14 (NIV), Ecclesiastes 2:21 (NLT), 1 Timothy 5:6 (NIV)

SUMMARY
Boxes, well, they box us in. They rob us of life, they anesthetize us, they limit us, they blind us. Boxes, after all, are what they bury us in. So who wants to live in one? Take a look around and you’ll see a world of people whose life is lived in a box. People who are desperately looking for a way they can experience life.

For some out of the box thinking:
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, 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. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. —1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)

Out of the box step 1: Uncertainty is a problem
Out of the box step 2: Place our faith in a God who promises to be our provider.
Out of the box step 3: Life is meant to be lived, so live it.

Attitudes that can cause us to backslide into the box:

1. Arrogance
Arrogance is being certain of what is not so. Arrogance will cause us to spend a night in the box.

2. Misplaced hope
Where is your hope? Misplaced hope will cause us to spend a night in the box of disillusionment. And that will rob us of life.

3. Hoarding and stinginess
Be generous and willing to share. You need to give in order to experience life. You can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead.

MY COMMENTS
This is a more recent sermon by Gordon given at West Ridge Community Church on February 6, 2005.