Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1Timothy 6:17-19
Paul finishes up the letter to Timothy with encouragement and exhortation. Those of us who are wealthy in this life’s finances are the special object of these remarks. It isn’t that their wealth is bad, wrong or evil as some might suggest, but rather that it provides both an opportunity and a danger.
The danger is that the wealthy person neglects the faith, thinking that their problems are over and that they have the tiger by the tail; some might even become stingy and fear sharing their abundance with others in real need. Timothy is urged to insist that the wealthy keep their priorities straight, placing value on their work as Christ’s humble servants, rather than regarding their worldly wealth as paramount.
When you think about it, even for those of us who aren’t wealthy as such, it is easy to slip away from God during times when everything is going well. We get the notion that we are in great shape, things are cooking right along and we can easily forget that God is the real source of our blessings, not us. One can only imagine the level of temptation for one who is truly well off.
The opportunity is that there is a great deal of good that can be done with a financial fortune. Paul’s message is that these people need to be rich in good deeds, not just in money.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
1Timothy 6:20-21
These last two verses are Paul’s closing comments, personal in nature for Timothy himself. Notice that Paul returns to the mission that Timothy is on: Guard what you have been entrusted with. Timothy is to “turn away” from godless chatter and those false teachings that have caused some to leave the faith. No more of this false teaching in Ephesus, don’t even listen to it!
May each of us have wisdom to follow Paul’s commands!
Life Project Blog 
Hi, I appreciate your analysis of the scriptures! I’m spotlighting your post on http://www.ufuomaee.godinterest.org. It will be published in about 12 hours.
Cheers, Ufuoma
Thank you so much!
No worries! I noticed too late that you’re in a no award zone! I wish i’d thought of that too. But the award thing is kinda fun and social. Anyway, this isn’t an award. It’s just an opportunity to reach more folks… though as i’m just starting it, not got many followers yet. Lol! Great post though. God bless x
This time of year is classic for false teachings. True believers are embedded into God’s word. There is no other truth. Say amen!
Amen!
Hello Don, hello men of Faith. I am up early this morning, unable to sleep. Last night the wind and rain lashing on the window, buffeting around the house kept us awake. It was a full blown storm. Please pray for my husband. He needs men of faith like you. This morning he has gone to work as if he is facing his execution. He has worked hard from boyhood. He has always worked-paper rounds, milk rounds, for years in the civil service, then as paid carer for my Dad before he died. With my Dad’s death he became unemployed. He worked hard to find another job. He was offered three. He took the one he had set his heart on- working as customer advisor for an internet bank. After two months training he has discovered he cannot do it. it is too tough, too pressurised. Literally it is making him ill with high blood pressure. Today he is going in to say he needs to quit.
He doesn’t want to let me down. That is not a problem. I would prefer him alive not dead. I am more concerned that it will knock his confidence. He will feel to have failed. He is at that awkward age in his early 50s where he is too young to retire and yet to old to do a young person’s job.
When I met him, he was a man of faith. He is a genuine, practical man, enjoyed cabinet making as a hobby and running to keep fit. He was brought up as a Roman Catholic and yet embraced my Methodist church with enthusiasm. For awhile we went to each others Churches. Somewhere along the line he lost his faith, he became cynical about the world of church. he was angry with the wrong done in the name of religion, and the cover-ups, especially in the Roman Catholic church. He is lost, wandering. There is so much more to say, yet, perhaps I have said enough. His name is Kevin. Please pray for him. Julia
I will most surely pray for Kevin, and for you too Julia. May our God be the God of all comfort to you both!
Thank you. Your prayers are appreciated. Julia
Very well said, I’m loving being in the Timothy books right now. So relevant for our times.