Tag: Money

Final Word to the Rich

1 Timothy 6:17-19

A Charge to Rich Believers

Though Paul had brought the teaching about money out to an application for Timothy (1 Tim 6:11-16), he again zeros in on the rich, giving them one final “charge” about how they are to live for Christ.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 
1 Timothy 6:17 

“Charge” in this verse isn’t a calm recommendation. It’s an impassioned command. Paul wanted them to be urgently warned of these things. This was a commandment of warning. The “gain is godliness” teaching would lay waste to these believers if they didn’t heed these words of warning and instruction.

Trust in God, Not in Money

Money has false security about it. It’s nice to look at your bank accounts and investment portfolios and see large numbers. It’s easy to think that those numbers will insulate you from hardship. But they can’t, and they won’t.

Those that have money will be tempted to think it will save them, just as the healthy may think they are protected by their health from hardship. They may become “high-minded” (arrogant) in the substance they enjoy and put their trust in their riches.

We too often get pulled away from our trust in God. We can hold money, gather things, talk with people face to face, and yet none of them are as trustworthy as our God. Even in the things we claim we see His goodness and not our own.

Do Good Works

Verse 18 paints a picture of the happiest rich person. 

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 
1 Timothy 6:18 

They do good. Riches are often associated with those that use them selfishly or hoard them obsessively. Paul doesn’t want that for these believers.

They are unselfish with their actions. Here’s a new kind of wealth to build, good works. Our money won’t last, but the good works we do for the glory of our Savior will last. This is a different way to look at life: “Who’s glory will I seek?” The resounding answer should be “Jesus’ glory!”

They are unselfish with their substance. Paul used two phrases here: “ready to distribute” and “willing to communicate.” By these statements, he means to be a person who gives and lives a giving lifestyle. Being a giving person doesn’t mean that you have to walk around all the time handing out $20 bills. You can, and should, be giving with your money. But you should also share the time God has given you, the food on your table, and the hope of eternal life.

The only way for our money to not control us is to put it into the service of God. Jesus said; “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Our good works and loving deeds and gifts that are given to others will outlast us, that is why eternity must still be our focus.

Look to Eternity

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 
1 Timothy 6:19 

Scripture is clear that life on this earth is about more than life on this earth. (Matthew 6:20, Matthew 19:21) We look with anticipation to an eternity away from sin and in perfect fellowship with The Heavenly Father.

We won’t need money in heaven and yet how we use the physical things of this earth can be laid “up in store… against the time to come”. 

As we use the things and money God has entrusted to our care for His glory, we will see more clearly the value of eternity and lay up treasure in preparation for eternity.

Your Turn

Are you rich in this world?

Many of us are more wealthy than we realize. God blesses us with many things that we take for granted, or even selfishly use for our own pleasure instead of His glory.

Begin with Trust.

Keep your focus on God. Whether your bank account has $5 or 5 Million in it, you can’t trust it. And you shouldn’t discount God’s faithfulness if He doesn’t provide the way you want Him to provide.

He is trustworthy, trust in Him.

Get to work.

As we trust in God, the next logical step is to do what He says. So pray, be in church, witness to your coworkers and friends. Serve God.

Use whatever you have for God’s glory.

What ever you have, in large quantity or small, lay it daily at the Savior’s feet. Beg Him to use it and You for His glory. 

Money and Sound Doctrine

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Money

What is the relationship of the man (or woman) of God to money? Do we think of our spirituality being showcased by our use of money? Even then, what does money have to do with having good Doctrine?

These are all great questions. When you look among those who have abandoned scriptural doctrine you almost always see people who have decided to go after money.

“Supposing Gain is Godliness”

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Timothy 6:3–5

These are harsh words. Necessary, but harsh.

Paul’s teaching in this letter so far has been to get Timothy ready for the hard road ahead of serving churches, and constantly knocking heads with people who either don’t know the truth or who oppose the truth. Many of those who oppose the truth will do it under the banner of “gain is godliness.” 

This idea of “gain is godliness” is everywhere. Our book stores are filled with those who teach that virtue is obvious in those who have money. Your news feeds will be full of articles about how the “25 richest people live.” Even among believers we have to be careful to not look at those who have less and think that God is punishing them.

And yet the question stands: What is the relationship of the faithful believer to money?

Godliness with Contentment

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:6–8

We ought to pursue godliness even at the cost of other, worldly, gain, because “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

All that we have in this life is a gift, or better a stewardship, from our loving creator and redeemer. Would it be showing gratitude to horde these things? Would we honor Him by flaunting wealth? Or worse, can we please Him be merely presenting evidence of a massive bank account?

Contentment is what goes with godliness; not because money isn’t needed, or because God wants us to suffer. But because we can be godly regardless of our physical possessions.

The Love of Money

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:9–10

Two phrases should jump out: “they that will be rich” (v. 9) and “the love of money is the root of all evil” (v. 10). Paul is calling out those who are seeking to be rich and those who love money. Having money isn’t wrong. Being rich isn’t condemned in scripture. Loving money and devoting your life to collecting it are what Paul is cautioning against.

Devotion to money means that all the joy you will have in life is when you get more of it. You will serve it as master, you will be a slave to comparisons and growth projections. And miss the eternal gain of walking with God in godliness and contentment.

Working, but Not for Money

It’s fitting that this passage follows one about the believer at work. We are tempted, I think, to work for our pay check. That train of thought may lead us to keep working for an even bigger paycheck. And though we should be rewarded for our efforts at work, we may miss opportunity of our time at work to put into practice the teachings of God’s word. We may miss the reward of serving as unto the Lord.

So work, work hard, but not for money. Or at least not just for money.

Your Turn

Where might you have given yourself to seek money, or love money?

Talk about these things with God. Again, money itself isn’t wrong, but serving it makes it an idol and you won’t know the joy of serving God if you are serving idols.

Are you following teachers that hold up the banner of “gain is godliness”?

Stop it. While we may learn a few good things from these people, their end will be ugly. Don’t get swallowed up in their teaching, charisma, or shallow promises.

How are you seeking godliness?

Seeking godliness is key to having a right relationship with money and, well… anything.

In God’s word read the gospels, but this time read them through to learn the character of Jesus. See His care for others, His contentment, and obedience of The Father.