17 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. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
In all his talk about money, Paul is not saying that to be rich is a sin. Paul spoke earlier of pursuing godliness in contentment which is to be happy to live with only your needs being met. If you live with your needs met as well as some of your wants, then perhaps you need to consider yourself rich. If you are able to satisfy many of your wants, then you are definitely rich and this passage is for you. Don’t be puffed up because of your wealth or status and don’t place your hope and security in the things you have or your ability to earn money. Your hope must be in God, the One who gave you what you have to enjoy. Use your wealth and your opportunities to do good works, be generous and share so that you might store up treasures for yourself in heaven (Mat 6:19-21) so you will experience the fullness of eternal life that is yours as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Paul ends his letter with a reminder to focus on sound doctrine, the truth of God’s word and to avoid the wisdom of the world that is presented as “knowledge” but is full of contradiction and falsehood. Those who follow the wisdom of the world are prone to being led astray and straying from the faith. Make God’s word your source of truth and measure everything else by it.