Scripture
Read: 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly
supplies us with all things to enjoy
Application:
It is very difficult living in the world we live in, in the flesh we exist in,
and with the eyes that see with such limited vision to not be impressed,
influenced or just plain overwhelmed with the riches of this world. It is easy
to be duped into believing that the more of the riches of this world that you
have, the happier and more pleasant your life will be. Despite all the evidence
to the contrary, we all still struggle with the impressive concepts that the
thought of being rich will bring to us. Even when those thoughts are filled
with good intentions, plans to use it for the glory of God, believing that we
will never be affected by material things in a wrong way. We convince ourselves
that we will be the “one” that remains above all that “stuff”. No matter
how many stories we read, testimonies we have heard to the contrary, or the
warnings concerning the danger of riches we continue to believe for us, it will
be different. Maybe it will be, the issue is who made who rich? If God chooses to make someone rich, it
is a tremendous responsibility and stewardship, if handled well it will bring
God glory and that person a great sense of accomplishment for the Lord. But it
is important that we live in the reality that is before us.
The facts are clear
that the majority of human beings do not handle riches in a way that benefits
God or themselves. So the warning that Paul is encouraging Timothy to
understand concerning those that he might know that are rich is one based on
the reality of life and on a Shepherd's heart. No true shepherd can forget the
staggering statement from the Lord Jesus Christ which makes it clear that even
if someone gains the entire world in comparison to the loss of their soul the
gain is meaningless. Paul's statement clarifies what kind of richness he is
talking about: these are the riches of “this present world” which
in the original communicates even clearer as it calls it “the now age”. That little
phrase sums up the type of riches he's discussing, they are temporal, here and
now only. He doesn't condemn them for having riches, instead he warns of the
danger that riches can bring. When someone has so much more than the average
person there is a temptation to see their own value as greater than others,
this is why Paul warns them not to be conceited. The Greek is «Conceited» - ὑψηλοφρονέω
hupsēlophronéō; from hupsēlós, high, and phronéō, to think. To be high–minded,
proud, arrogant. It is always wrong to think highly of oneself because it only
leads to a fall, however it is even more foolish when we think this way due to
“material stuff” that we own. It takes but a moment for all that stuff to be
stolen, taken away, or lost through various things that can happen. So he is
warning them and tells them not to place their anchor on the riches of this
world. The term “fix their hope” is from the Greek word – ἐλπίζω elpízō; To hope, expect
with desire. - In the
construction meaning to hope in someone, i.e., to trust in, confide in [1] Whenever
we allow ourselves to put our confidence in anything that is temporal we place
ourselves in peril. That is the reason that Paul immediately points to the fact
that our confidence, our trust needs to be in Him, Who owns all, sustains all,
and is eternal. When we seek the riches that he bestows, not only are our
riches eternal, but we will never find ourselves becoming conceited, because we
know the riches we have came from Him, not our own hands.
Meditation Questions: What
do you believe supplies the things you need to live in this world? Your job?
Money? What is the difference to you between life and existence? When you hear
the term “a self made man” what does that mean to you? How should we feel about
the material wealth we have attained? What does your answer show you? If you
had a choice to be rich or have a rich person be willing to allow you access to
their wealth, which would you prefer? Why? What does your answer show you?
[1]
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word
study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG
Publishers.
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