Daily Devotions

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 
Day 
Day 105

"Command those who are rich..."

Text: 1 Timothy 6:17

A SPECIAL WORD TO THE RICH

Wealth is a gift from the Lord. It comes with responsibility. The apostle Paul addressed this in the following text.

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
1 Timothy 6:17

1. “Command”

a) Paul was quite direct and forceful here.
b) The word was not just “advice” but “command”.

 

2. “The rich in this present age”

a) There are dangers that attend the wealthy.
b) Two dangers are highlighted:-
i) The danger of haughtiness.
ii) The danger of trust in earthly wealth.
c) Sobering thoughts about wealth.
i) It may be lost.
ii) It is “uncertain”.

 

3. “Trust… in the living God”

a) The word “trust” may also be translated “hope”.
b) We should not pin our hopes on material wealth.
c) Our hope should always be on the living God!

 

4. “Who gives us richly all things to enjoy”

a) God is not mean at all.
b) He gives us things so that we may enjoy the life we have on earth.
c) One of God’s provision is wealth.
i) It was not meant to distract us from trusting the Lord.
ii) Wealth should cause us to be grateful to the Lord for His gracious blessings.
iii) The good things of the Lord are not limited to the wealthy.
iv) The Lord wants us to find great joy firstly in Himself and then in the things He provides.