WILLINGNESS TO GIVE

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” – 1Timothy 6:17-18

LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer in Christ must be rich in good works. He must not trust in uncertain riches but in the living God.

Paul wrote to Timothy to instruct him to warn them that they are rich not to be high-minded but to be willing to communicate; that is, to be willing to give. There are many reasons why a man can be rich:
• Inducting (good or bad)
• Inheritance or
• Nationality (country where such person finds himself).
Whatever the case, a believer who is rich must put his trust in the living god and not on uncertain riches. The rich believer must be willing to give. Apostle Paul calls it “being rich in good works”. There is a deceitfulness in riches that makes a man have a false sense of security in his wealth and begin to trust in what he has. The believer must always treat wealth as temporal and of this world. He needs to view himself as a custodian of his resources to bless others and to meet his own needs. Paul’s instruction is clear in 1 Timothy 6:19 “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”.
The rich are to lay up a good foundation for themselves. When we give, we are laying up a good foundation in eternity. Giving is service. Giving breaks the hold of selfishness and greed in our lives. Giving is a show of trust in God. When we do not give, we trust in riches, and we are covetous.

The Passion and Amplified rendering of 1Timothy 6:17-19 elucidates deeper: “To all the rich of this world, I command you not to be wrapped in thoughts of pride over your prosperity, or rely on your wealth, for your riches are unreliable ans nothing compared to the living God. Trust instead in the one who lavishes upon us all good things, fulfilling our every need. Remind the wealthy to be rich in remarkable works of extravagant generosity, willing to share with others. These spiritual investments will provide a beautiful foundation for their lives and secure for them a great future, as they lay their hands upon the meaning of true life” (TPT). “As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and to share [with others]. In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (AMP). Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Trust in the living God.

CONFESSION: I am willing to give. I trust in the living God, not in uncertain riches, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

QUOTE: Let your trust not be in what you have but in who has you.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 1TIMOTHY CHAPTER 5; EVENING: 1TIMOTHY CHAPTER 6