As for the Rich
As for the rich in this present age, charge them…”
I Timothy 6:17
Timothy was a timid young man with a daunting task. Paul is instructing Timothy to correct doctrinal error and institute right practice in Christ’s church. Timothy is being called to a work of reformation and revitalization of a floundering ministry.
As Paul brings the letter to a close, Paul gives one more task to Timothy – charge the rich in this present age. Doubtless there were many poor in the church at Ephesus- numbers of slaves but there were also many rich. The temple of Artimus and its many economic offshoots had drawn vast amounts of wealth to the region. A flourishing silver trade was in the surrounding mountains. The area was full of rich and prosperous people commerce was good.
Timothy is given a charge to remind them of why God gives wealth- not for just personal pleasure, but also for good works and generosity. To be sure God gives us all things richly to enjoy. He desires us to enjoy the fruit of our labor! There is great spiritual benefit in the ability to gratefully enjoy the bounty God has given- If you are wealthy, don’t feel guilty- feel grateful!!!
God is a good God and He enjoys bestowing blessing on His children. However, we must take it one step farther. We are reminded that a Christian Scrooge is an oxymoron. Christians are not stingy- they are generous! The early church modeled this in the first chapters of Acts. In Acts 4:34 we are told “and there was not a needy person among them…” Out of their own treasures they cared for one another. To be sure, there were abuses and there was sin (Ananias and Saphira), but there was also much generosity from the bottom of the heart.
May it ever be so with us.
Because of grace,
Tim
Listen to the related message below.
