1 Timothy 6:17-19: Rich In This World
2021-11-27
Here, the Spirit through Paul commands the “rich in this world” (1 Timothy 6:17). This is not the same as those “that will be rich” (1 Timothy 6:9). People that desire to be rich may or not be rich. People that are rich may or may not desire to be rich. Some people just might be rich because of inherited wealth or they have a career that comes with a high paycheck. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We need Christians in all professions (within reason) to be a witness to those people who do not know the Lord.
With being rich there are certain temptations, such as the desire to increase riches. All those previous admonitions apply here. Additional concerns arise as well: “that they be not highminded” (1 Timothy 6:17). One could get arrogant, thinking that their wealth comes from their own personal virtue or worth (Remember 1 Timothy 6:5: “gain is godliness”).
Also, there will be a temptation to “trust in uncertain riches.” The rich can assume that all their money will be there to help them in their times of need. However, like Job, all wealth can be lost in a day (Job 1:13-22). It could happen to anyone. Trusting in the things of this world is a bad idea! The rich are more prone to this because they have more than everybody else. A major adjustment in lifestyle is always around the corner.
On the contrary, the rich must trust “in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Unlike “uncertain riches,” the living God is “certain.” He is the living God; as we saw previously, He only has immortality. Unlike the idols of the world that cannot do anything, the living God can do everything. “For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5). He doesn’t change, but our wealth does.
He also is the one “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” Everything belongs to Him. Whatever we have, we have received. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). If we have anything, whether it be possessions, or some trait within ourselves, it is because God gave it to us. It was given to us to enjoy, but in the context of His benefit and His glory.
The entirety of 1 Timothy 6:18 seems to have a common message restated in a few different ways: be generous with what you have. The more you have been entrusted with, the more responsibility you have been given. See Luke 12:48: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” This is true with wealth, with knowledge, or whatever you have been entrusted with. Whatever you have that is unique to you, invest that in the Lord’s Kingdom.
The rich man who uses his goods for the sake of God’s kingdom will be rewarded: “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come.” (1 Timothy 6:19). The time to come seems to be the Lord’s return and the setting up of His kingdom. Remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30); we looked at this passage when looking at 1 Timothy 4:14. Just as Timothy using his gifts would result in the Lord’s reward, the rich will receive a reward when he uses his riches to help others.
The distribution of wealth by the rich man is also so “that they may lay hold on eternal life.” This is like what we saw in 1 Timothy 6:12. Obedience in their calling to be generous demonstrates their hope in eternal life. They will experience the power of that life now.