Today’s Affirmation: I trust in the living God over uncertain riches.
Paul advises Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17 to tell those who are rich not to be too proud and arrogant in their worldly riches but trust in the living God. He tells us that God gives us all things richly.
I have been guilty of trusting in a JOB over the living God. Finding more security in a paycheck instead of God. All I received was the paycheck and little more. Most of us would be considered rich and we are told to be careful to put our trust in God over these riches. He goes on to say in verse 18 that we should “do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”
Paul is not saying it is wrong to be rich and I am NOT saying that here either. Previously in 6:9 and 10 where he warns us of the traps of desiring to be rich over desiring God himself and that it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. He is just stressing that these riches do not become what we trust in over God. Count me guilty where I have thought wealth would give me security. It can provide earthly security but not eternal security.
He says to be rich but TRUST in God over these riches. Don’t trust these things and wear yourself out to be rich. Trust in God and do good.
With the wealth we achieve Paul says we can be rich in good works. The trust and the willingness to share is probably where we are tested most. If we put our trust in God then we will not hold onto our riches as tightly as we do and store up so much just for ourselves. I have met many wealthy people who are generous and realize they are gifted in generating wealth for themselves and others.
I am thankful for those gifted in creating riches with their gifts. Those people and we are rich in either money or other things. We can use our money, time or strength. We should be storing up things for the time to come. We can do that by trusting God, doing good and giving and sharing out of our richness.
God gives to us all richly and we in turn can give richly.
- This is always a sensitive subject, what is your experience with trusting in riches? Good and Bad, if any.
- What is your positive experience with wealth?
- What do you have to give and share?
- What kind of works could you do to make you feel rich?
May we remember that God gives us all things richly! What can we in turn give away richly today?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Hi tomraines
I have never been rich in alot of money, but when my former husband and I were both working in the early years of our marriage we were able to save about a 1,000 a month. This was 20+ years ago. We purchased a home and bought a new car and that sort of thing. We paid off our house mortgage of 42,000 at that time in five years.
In 1982 we were both saved through my sister’s new experience of her own salvation , and through my former husband’s co-worker who was a christian. When we began tithing some of our income we discovered that we had been under a ‘spell’ so to speak. Before starting to tithe we could hardly spend any money. We kept piling it up as much as we could in the bank. We were not givers, we were hoarders. The freedom that giving brought to us was amazing. It was like the captive was set free.
I read a devotional reading this morning of Psalm 49:16-17. In the case of this man’s riches and splendor Psalm 49 says ‘he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.’
This verse doesn’t leave much choice for this man. Psalm 49 says that he is decending not ascending when he dies. I think also of Lazarus the poor beggar at the gate of the rich man. Lazarus went to Abraham’s bossom. The rich man went into a firey place of torment. I don’t think it is wrong to be rich either. However, I would say that being rich is a disadvantage to seeking and moving into the things of God. Mainly because of your reasoning in this blog that it is easy to put our trust in our riches. Riches work for us in the world system. Riches don’t work for us with God unless we use riches in ways that God has determined beforehand that we should do. Ready to give to the poor, ready to distribute to the needs of the saints, ready to give to God.
Thanks Linda, we do not take it with us and the Lord warns against both. I have my testimonies about tithing, both good and bad. I do believe it is an indicator of our hearts. Where our treasures are… May we continue to build treasures in heaven instead of here on earth were they will fly away like eagles, rust or turn to dust! Thanks for your testimony and word.
I think very few Christians can be “rich” and not have their focus on God shift. (…harder for a rich man to enter heaven …”) But, I think the overwhelming majority of Americans are rich compared to the rest of the world.
Although we’ve never been rich by American standards we certainly are rich if compared to the rest of the world where so many people have so little. Having said that, I’ll tell you that my focus has been affected…subtle thoughts like: ‘when we have more in savings, we can give more…’ have been the foundation of my thinking about giving for years.
But God is really changing this.
Changing my definition of “rich” has helped me to be more open to giving and not keeping money/things for myself.
The 3 posts I’ve read this morning (I started with the most recent and went backwards…)have really made me think…not done mulling over them. Good stuff Tom.
Thanks Robin, you are the best. I agree that scripture is clear. Like going through a needle…it is next to impossible. It is dangerous. We are truly wealthy in world’s standards and I so wish I had been wiser with the riches I have aquired to just aquire more DEBT! This definitely makes me a slave to the debtor and robs me of joy!
May we build up our treasures in heave and bless others and give more than we keep!