“Dec 6, 2024 - Rich in Good Works”

Thursday, December 05, 2024

Rich in Good Works

Reading:  1 Timothy 6:11-21
    
    Paul has been discussing people who have a “craving for controversy,” discontent and seeking to become rich.  “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness”(1 Tim 6:11).  Timothy should be different.  He must “flee” such twisted motivations and “pursue” faith and love and kindness.  Honoring God with our lives involves running away from certain things, but it also involves diligently seeking after things that are good and noble.  The daily choices we make to flee and pursue determine who we become.

    As Paul winds down his letter, he urges Timothy to keep teaching (“fight the good fight of faith,” 6:12, and “charge them,” 6:17) and remember that he will be judged by “the King of kings and Lord of lords”(1 Tim 6:15).   He has a specific lesson he wants Timothy to teach:  “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”(1 Tim 6:17-19).  He has warned about the “desire to be rich”(1 Tim 6:9) and now addresses those who are already rich.  There are right ways to view and use wealth.  Money is unworthy of our hopes; it is God (not money) that provides what we need.  Money is not good in itself, but is an opportunity to “do good.”  True riches are held by those who are “rich in good works.”  Especially does he want wealthy people to share and do good with what they have been given because they are confident greater riches are in the age to come.

    With the desire to be rich usually comes the hope that we will spend our wealth on ourselves.  We long to indulge our cravings, sleep securely without fear, and face the obstacles of life with more buying power.  We rarely question the deep selfishness in these desires.  Whatever measure of wealth we have been given, we can use our money to bless others and lay up treasure in heaven.

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One Thing to Think About: Am I “generous and ready to share”?

One Thing to Pray For:  The wisdom to flee evil and pursue righteousness today
 

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