1 Timothy 6:17-18
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be high-minded or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches but on God, who richly supplies us with all things for enjoyment: to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,”
Not all giving is acceptable to God. Scripture describes acceptable giving as
Hilariously cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7)26
Overflowing from abundant joy (2 Corinthians 8:2)
“Party-time” enjoyable (1 Timothy 6:17)
Happy and blessed (Acts 20:35)
With love (1 Corinthians 13:3) and from the heart (Exodus 25:2, 35:5; Deuteronomy 15:10; 1 Chronicles 29:9, 17, 18; 2 Corinthians 9:7)27
These all describe a consistent attitude, emotion, and feeling.
- When you think of an ideal giver, what image comes to mind? Is it an image of happiness, love, and hilarious joy?
- In scriptural terms, what should it feel like to make a good gift?
- Have you ever made a gift that brought you joy? What was it?
Scripture describes giving with happiness, love, and hilarious joy. The opposite of this is painful giving. This conflict isn’t just practical. It’s theological.
In asceticism, a person proves their spirituality through self-denial and suffering. Asceticism says that the ideal giver is the suffering giver. Scripture opposes this philosophy.
“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism … These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:18a, 23 ESV).
Asceticism rejects material enjoyment. It does not follow the “God who richly supplies us with all things for [the purpose of] enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17b).
- Is the correct image of an ideal giver one of suffering and painful sacrifice? Or is it one of happiness, love, and hilarious joy?
- Which one matches Scripture?
Giving the right way is about happiness, love, and joy. We see this joy even in the ultimate gift of God. We see it in Jesus, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2).
A good gift might be costly. But being costly or painful doesn’t make it a good gift. The largest possible gift is to give away everything. Does that make it a good gift? No. Scripture says,
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV).
Other versions read, “It does me no good”28 or “I have helped nothing.”29 This is the biggest gift possible. It’s the most painful gift possible. But it’s not a good gift.
- Giving everything you have means you made the biggest possible gift. Why doesn’t that make it a good gift?
- How important is our emotional experience when making a gift? Does it really matter as long as we still give?
In the story of the widow’s mite, Jesus says she “put in all she owned.” (Mark 12:44). Was this a good gift? We can’t tell because we don’t know her emotional experience. (1 Corinthians 13:3). Jesus simply says, “She put in more.” (Mark 12:43; Luke 21:3). He doesn’t say, “She did it the right way.” He doesn’t say, “Go and do likewise.” He ends the story by explaining why donating to the temple was pointless for both for the poor widow and for the rich. The temple they were donating to was about to be destroyed. Jesus reveals, “Not one stone will be left upon another” (Mark 13:2b).
- The widow put in more. She gave everything she owned. Does this make it a good gift? If not, what else is needed?
Jesus said to the rich young ruler,
“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21 NKJV).
Jesus is offering this man a chance to join His disciples. And He’s telling him that joining will likely end in the man’s execution. (The cross wasn’t yet a symbol of redemption. It was just an instrument of execution – like a hangman’s noose or an electric chair.)
Consider a similar situation today. Suppose a young man was flying out tomorrow with a missionary group. They’ll preach Jesus in the streets of Afghanistan until they’re arrested and likely executed. He’s young, unmarried, and has no family needing support. Suppose he also has some stored wealth.
- What’s the most enjoyment a person could get from his wealth before leaving on a likely fatal mission? Might this include “making it rain” money on those in need?
- Is Jesus calling the rich young ruler to give as a painful sacrifice? Or is Jesus calling him to get enjoyment (and lasting benefit) from his wealth before it’s all lost at the man’s imminent death? What do you think?
Scripture tells us to hold material things open-handedly. It instructs,
“those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:30b-31 NIV).
This doesn’t say, “Don’t buy.” It doesn’t say, “Don’t use.” It says to use it, but know it’s all passing away. Buy it, but know you can’t keep it. We can’t take it with us when we die.
The greedy miser says, “Hold every penny tightly.” The harsh ascetic says, “Never hold wealth.” These might seem like opposites. But they both live the same way.
Both the ascetic and the greedy miser refuse to enjoy wealth. Both view this as a virtue. The ascetic looks down on the one who enjoys wealth. So does the miser. The idea that God richly provides us with all things for the purpose of enjoyment opposes them both.
- Have you known people who had wealth but refused to use it for anything?
- In what way do the ascetic “holy man” of Eastern religions and the greedy miser live the same way?