17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
rich in the present age
The words Paul powerfully convey that these riches are fleeting, mere illusions that will inevitably fade away. They are transient, destined to vanish! Jesus boldly labeled a wealthy man, obsessed with earthly treasures, as a “fool” (Luke 12).
8 The grass withers, the flowers fade,
but the word of our God remains forever.”Isaiah 40:8
A wise person must deeply reflect on the enduring impact of how they invest their time and energy. Ask yourself: will the actions you take today resonate a century from now? If the majority of your efforts are devoted to pursuits that lack any lasting significance, it’s time to make bold changes. What is one powerful step you can take right now that will leave an eternal mark on the world?
IF you are following along with the Journal, you will find a page called “My Spiritual” investments. Take the time today to ponder the deeper meaning of where you are spending all your time, talents, and energy. You can Download this worksheet below.
not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth
Rich people can easily grow prideful and look down on others who are lower on the ladder of success. The world lifts up and praises the wealthy as being savvy, often labeling them as “self-made men.” Yet, many of these fortunate individuals bask in such accolades, allowing them to twist their perception of self-worth. A person blessed with wealth must recognize that money does not equate to superiority. It should never be a reason to distance oneself from regular folks. Nor should it be a reason to shy away from forging genuine friendships.
An all-too-common pitfall for the wealthy is the seductive allure of placing their trust in riches. Their bulging savings accounts, retirement funds, 401ks, insurance policies, and stock portfolios create a false sense of security, lulling them into believing that their golden years will unfold seamlessly. Yet, the harrowing lessons of the Great Recession stock market crash of 2008 and the internet bubble burst of 2001 jolted many from their complacency, revealing that these financial shields offer no true protection for their futures. Even in the absence of calamity, when all their financial aspirations come to fruition, a profound disappointment awaits them. Why, you ask? Because money, in all its glimmering allure, can never deliver the lasting satisfaction that the heart truly craves.
10 The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
People chase after money, believing it holds the key to their happiness, yet it ultimately fails to deliver. The rush of an exhilarating purchase fades in an instant, leaving the search for the next thrill. Consider money for a moment—it’s merely printed on paper! Governments can conjure it up at will, so why would anyone place their trust in such a fickle entity? Why depend on financial systems that rise and fall? Instead, place your hope in the Lord, who offers a steadfast foundation amidst life’s uncertainties.
but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy
What a truly magnificent statement! God has our best interests deeply woven into His heart. He yearns to bless us with lives brimming with meaning and joy. He delights in filling our days with abundant goodness. Unlike Buddhist monks who deprive themselves of basic pleasures, Christians embrace the fullness of life! While intermittent fasting can foster discipline, God never demands we forsake the joy of fun. He longs for us to savor exquisite food and relish exhilarating moments of travel and adventure with our families. Let us partake in games and sports with exuberance and a beaming smile! A husband and wife should revel in their intimate moments together, celebrating love and connection. Following God doesn’t require us to abandon the delightful, joyous treasures this world has to offer!
God is an abundantly generous and gracious Creator, delighting in our joy and the blessings of life’s beautiful gifts. Yet, He desires that we keep Him as the heartbeat of our hearts and minds. As we journey on vacations with our loved ones, let us do so with worshipful, grateful hearts. Let us marvel at His magnificent creation. In the thrilling world of games and sports, we are called to compete with spirit and integrity. We should embrace good attitudes and fair play. We must embody the essence of true sportsmanship, whether we taste victory or face defeat. Let us pray together with our teammates, forging new friendships along the way. We can boldly share testimonies of God’s abundant goodness. Even our reactions to unfair calls can be powerful. They serve as shining testimonies. They illuminate the path for our lost friends to see His light.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
We become heavenly minded by actively engaging our faith. This happens when we keep Christ at the very heart of all our endeavors, regardless of what they encompass. Life is a dance of balance. We must avoid becoming ensnared by the allure of pleasure. We must also steer clear of the trappings of luxury. Yet, let us not shun the beautiful blessings life offers us! So, how can you infuse the divine into your moments of joy? What bold step will you take to remain heavenly minded? How will you revel in the delightful gifts that God has bestowed upon you?
to be generous and willing to share
No matter the amount God has entrusted to you, embrace the call to generosity. Do this with every fiber of your being! If you’ve been blessed with riches, see it as a divine purpose. God has placed those resources in your hands for a magnificent reason! The wealth and materials you possess are not just for personal gain. They are tools for constructing His kingdom. His kingdom is made up of His beloved people. As we passionately share our blessings and uplift those dedicated to God’s mission, we are not only securing treasures in heaven. We are also laying the groundwork for a life built on an unshakeable foundation. This life is impervious to the turbulence of the stock market!
Cross References:
- Proverbs 11:28
- Jeremiah 48:7
- Psalm 52:7
- Psalm 62:10
- Matthew 19:21
- Luke 12:19-21
Discussion Questions
- What is the present age?
- What is the future age?
- How could a person become rich in the future age?
- Why might a rich person become haughty? How might his riches change his attitude toward others?
- How do people set their hopes on their riches?
- What does it mean that “He provides is with everything to enjoy?” He gives us everything we want?
- Should Christians deny themselves nice things for the sake of serving God?
- What is the proper balance of enjoying good things without pursuing luxury?
- If God has blessed you with money, what should you do with it?
- How can a poor person also be generous?
- What does verse 19 mean? How does one store up for treasure for himself?
- Share one way you can serve God with your money (that you are not already doing.)
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