1 Timothy 6:17-20
17 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all.
We are in the final last 5 verses in book of First Timothy, an important pastoral letter which is very helpful for any man of God called to this important vocation. Definitely, this book is by extension equally relevant to all Christians who were called to lead other Christians in their own little way, even to lead the very own's self.
Finally, Apostle Paul is reminding his child in faith, Timothy, of one of the most common temptation available for all people of God which is the enticing hope of the riches of this world. And by contrast, he also called out of the most neglected riches that any man of God can possibly have which is an active (not dead) and working out (abiding/living) faith. Yes, these two opposites are waging war every single moment of our lives while we are being sanctified in this world.
Will you put your hope In wealth? or Will you put your hope in God?
Let us try to define or illustrate the relationship of wealth and of God in our lives, where we set our hope in either of them.
Wealth is the given examples of Apostle Paul as uncertainty, in other words, without certainties. It is uncertain because its power, influence, or authority are limited to this material world alone and has no power, influence, or authority with our spirit in all eternity.
On the other hand, God who is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Ever-Present Being has all the power, influence, and authority from eternity past to eternity future that secures our lives in keeping His promises to those who put their hope in Him. Indeed, Paul described him as one who can provide everything for our enjoyment.
In everything, wealth is indeed one of it. Wealth is not evil, it is the relationship of the one the who possess it that is evil or good. If in everything has wealth in it, then, it should be for our enjoyment as well. We must not put our hope in it as if our life depends on it for all eternity, instead, we enjoy it as a result of generating it.
The Bible said in the same way in Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - "17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."
When we have gained wealth or possession, we enjoy as our gratitude towards God remembering that He caused us to produce and possess it but never to put our hope in it. God already warned us about it in Deuteronomy, such possibilities for men to look into his own power and strength the moment he gained and produced wealth. But God gives us the shield for this temptation, that is "to remember the Lord our God", for He caused us to have these abilities to generate wealth. Not only that, but even the ability to enjoy these wealth.
Remember Ecclesiastes 5:18-19, when the author said:
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
The passage tells us that gaining wealth and possession, enjoyment of it, and receiving it with gladness is, indeed, a gift of God. Again, when the Bible speaks of a gift of God, it is not something that is earned by us. Instead, it is something that we received from the giver of the gift.
Therefore, we cannot simply put our hope on these material possession, intead, put our hope on the one who gave it. We know if it is a genuine gift of God to us when you acknowledged that it came from Him even the ability to generate those wealth, you enjoy it righteously not lavishly or wickedly, and receiving it with gladness in your heart not in greediness.
As you redirect your hope from riches to God, Paul gave us this apostolic instructions which has eternal significance to every faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
"18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 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. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all."
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