Free Bible Commentary
“1 Timothy 6:17-21”
Categories: 1 Timothy“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Some things that people who are rich in earthly possessions should and should not do:
Wealthy people SHOULD NOT “be conceited”. There is a temptation that resides inherently within monetary wealth for its possessors to think too highly of themselves. They can look at and think of their financial prosperity and mass accumulation of material possessions and think that, since these things make them better off than the average person, they make them better than most people. Friends, no amount of wealth that we can accumulate will impress God. In His eyes we are all the same. Black or white. Male or female. Rich or poor.
Wealthy people SHOULD NOT “fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches.” They can come to feel self-reliant and self-secured, not realizing that everything could all be taken away from them without a moment’s notice. Consider the man in Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21. This wealthy man was convinced that he had many earthly goods for many years to enjoy. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)
Wealthy people SHOULD “do good” and “be rich in good works.” If we DO good things with our money and possessions, then they will truly BE rich in the sight of God. I love the wording in the previous parable about how we should be “rich toward God.” The proper consideration and usages of our earthly possessions should always be “God-ward”. We should always give thanks to Him for all of our possessions (on loan from Him), and always give consideration to His will when we spend, save and share them.
Wealthy people SHOULD “be generous and ready to share.” Only trust in God, and generosity to those He created in His image, can store up “the treasure of a good foundation for the future.” Putting our trust in our earthly wealth is building our house upon the shifting sand. Putting our trust in “the living God” (KJV) is the solid foundation that no storm of life can assail. No matter how good (or bad) our life on earth may be at any moment in time, if we store up our treasure in heaven—if we treasure the things that have true, eternal value—we will take possession of “life indeed”.
Lord willing we will have some introductory remarks on 2 Timothy for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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