Articles
“Wealth and the Christian”
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
The topic of wealth was often on Jesus’ lips. But the Lord was concerned with its use and how it is viewed rather than the mere possession of it. In the kingdom, it is not a crime to be wealthy. Wealth can be a blessing from God (Deut. 28:1-8), but it does come with both responsibilities and warnings. Wealth is deceitful (Mt. 13:22). Therefore we are not to “trust” in it for security (Lk. 12:19), but to use it in God-honoring and neighbor-loving ways.
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he warned those who were poor “but desire to be rich” about the dangers of the “love of money.” The lowly Christian is to be content with having his basic needs met (1 Tim. 6:6-10) and “boast in his exaltation” in Christ (Jas. 1:9) finding his sufficiency in him (Phil. 4:10-13).
But lest those Christians in Ephesus who were “already rich in this present age” feel condemned simply for being wealthy, Paul instructs and comforts them (1 Tim. 6:17-19). In this section, he puts wealth into perspective and teaches us several simple lessons about how we are to view and use our wealth as Christians.
Live for the future — In Jesus, the rich and the poor alike have “tasted… the powers of the age to come” (Heb. 6:5). We have learned that earthly wealth belongs to “this present age” and is, therefore, uncertain and temporary (1 Tim. 6:17; 1 Jn. 2:17; Prov. 23:4-5). For those living for the future, material gain is irrelevant and therefore greed is irrational (1 Tim. 6:7; cf. Job 1:21; Ecc. 5:15). The rich young man’s downfall was his attachment to the wealth of this age (Lk. 18:18-23). In that same context, Jesus promised that those willing to forsake all to follow him would receive eternal life “in the age to come” (Lk. 18:29-30). It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom but what is impossible for us is possible with God (Lk. 18:27).
Hope in the Lord — We live for the future by setting our hope on God, “who richly provides us with everything” (1 Tim. 6:17). We are not to be “haughty” nor place our hope in money. The rich fool believes his surplus will provide him with rest and security (Lk. 12:13-21). The wealthy wise finds his rest and security in God (Jer. 9:23-24) and lays up “treasure in heaven” (Mt. 6:19-21). But how?
Give with generosity — Paul says to be “rich in good works” and “ready to share, thus storing up treasure.” True wealth is found in giving, not having or getting (Acts 20:35). However, “storing up treasure” is not buying shares in heaven or paying God off. Rather, generosity with earthly wealth is evidence that one is hoping in God, living for the future, and laying “hold of that which is truly life.”
Enjoy with thanksgiving — Wealth is also meant to be “enjoyed” as a gift and an expression of God’s generosity: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Tim. 4:1-5; Ecc. 5:8-20; Col. 2:20-23). Enjoyment is not self-indulgence (Mt. 23:25; 1 Tim. 5:6; Jas. 5:5) when it is connected with sincere gratitude and generosity. Enjoyment of “everything” as God’s generous gift leads away from pride and false security to the freedom of being generous ourselves.
The poor and the rich are united in Christ (Gal. 3:28). Poorer Christians should never resent their wealthier brothers and sisters. Likewise, wealthy Christians should never be haughty (Jas. 1:9-10), but should put their trust in God, use their wealth for good, and enjoy what God has richly provided them with.
