Realizing
the importance of handling riches rightly, Paul returned to talk about it. In
these verses, he instructed Timothy to teach believers, especially the rich
ones, on the perspective of wealth. Basically he wanted them to exercise proper
stewardship of their possession. In the previous passage, he dealt with those
who want to get rich, but here he dealt with those who have wealth.
The
first concern Paul had was one’s attitude toward riches. So he said that they
should not become proud because of their riches. Secondly, his concern was that
riches might induce a misplaced hope in the wealthy. So he told them not to fix
their hope on the uncertainty of riches. Thirdly, he wanted them to know that
their wealth comes from God. So he told the rich to make sure that they continue
to put their trust in God, Who is the Giver of their riches, and not in the
wealth that God gives. Fourthly, he wanted them to know that it is God Who gave
all things for their enjoyment. Hence they should cultivate an attitude of
gratitude and thankfulness. Fifthly, Paul instructed the wealthy to use their
wealth positively to do what is good. They were told to be rich in good works.
Sixthly, since they have been given more, they must cultivate generosity and
learn to share their wealth with the less fortunate. Seventhly, because Paul
knew that the wealthy have a tendency to be preoccupied with earthly possessions
only, he told them to consciously and deliberately cultivate an eternal
perspective. They should not neglect their spiritual foundation, but instead
they should give time to build that foundation. Eighthly, they must learn to
differentiate between what appears to be life and what true life really is, and
to lay hold of the latter. In other words, they should not go chasing after
wealth, which is only the shadow at the expense of life itself, which is the
real.
The
wealth one possesses is a God given opportunity to learn stewardship of His
gift. It is never given to display superiority or to dominate others. Our
perspective of why God had given us riches would help us to steward what we
have. Know that the more we have the more accountable we are. God is our
source. All that we have come from Him and He’s given us an opportunity to
enrich the lives of others as He had enriched us.
In Paul’s final call to Timothy in the last two verses, he outlined four
areas all believers should also work on. Firstly, he was to protect the truth
as a sacred trust given to him. Secondly, he must not dabble with false
teachings. Thirdly, he must be weary of false teachings and their potential to
corrupt faith. Finally, he must be totally reliant on the grace of God. What
marvelous advices!
Like Timothy we must guard the Word of God and not propagate anything
false and contrary to it. This require that we build a rich resource of truth
so that we can distinguish between what’s truth and what’s spurious. As we go
along in our spiritual journey, don’t ever forget that it’s God’s grace – His
saving grace, His sanctifying grace, and His sustaining grace – that will
enable us to live a triumphant life.
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