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,”
The poetic structure of this passage links not being high-minded with being ready to share.49 The Greek word for “share” references koinōnia-sharing. The koinōnia is a mutually supportive, family-like, fellowship community.
The rich Christian’s wealth does not make them high-minded. It does not separate them from the fellowship community. Instead, their sharing more deeply connects them with the fellowship community. They use their wealth to strengthen the fellowship community.
- Have you ever known people who were “high-minded” because of wealth? What enjoyable social connections and life experiences might a “high-minded” person miss because of this attitude?
- When we need help, friends, family, and a fellowship community can assist. But with enough money, we can just pay for services instead. How might being “independently wealthy” make it easier to become socially isolated?
- Could having wealth make it harder to trust other people’s intentions? How might it cause a person to become socially isolated?
- Does social isolation lead to a more enjoyable life experience? What about being a valuable member of a deeply connected fellowship community?
Luke 8:2-3 publicly names donors to Jesus’ ministry: Joanna, Susanna, and Mary Magdalene. Romans 16:1-2 publicly shares the name of a donor to Paul’s ministry: Phoebe. Acts 4:36-37 names an individual donor: Barnabas. It also describes the gift itself: a tract of land. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 provides massive publicity for the Macedonians’ gift. 2 Corinthians 9:2-4 describes massive publicity for the Corinthians’ charitable pledge. 2 Corinthians 8:24 directs people to give in this way:
“Therefore, openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.”
Yet, Jesus says,
“So, when you give to the poor [eleēmosynē], do not sound a trumpet before you … But when you give to the poor [eleēmosynē], do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving [eleēmosynē] will be in secret.” (Matthew 6:2-4).
Is this a contradiction? No. These are two different types of giving. In Greek, giving “down,” “almsgiving” or “giving to the poor” is eleēmosynē. It refers to mercy, pity, or alms. Sharing “across,” koinōnia-sharing, within the fellowship community, is a different word.
The charitable giving described in the Epistles is not almsgiving, eleēmosynē. It is koinōnia-sharing.50 Just as in the Old Testament, different gifts have different rules. Giving down, eleēmosynē, is best done in secret. Sharing across, koinōnia-sharing, is best done in public.
- Why might giving “down” (almsgiving) take dignity away from the recipient if it’s done in public?
- Why is sharing “across” within a reciprocal, mutually sharing fellowship community different?
- How might publicly sharing “across” strengthen this kind of group? How might it inspire others to do the same with whatever God has richly provided to them?
Giving down, eleēmosynē, is best done in secret. This allows a disconnection between the giver and receiver. Sharing across, koinōnia-sharing, is best done in public. This strengthens the connection between mutual sharers.
The connection to a mutually supportive fellowship community is lasting. It remains even if a person’s wealth is lost, stolen, or disappears.
- How is our bond with a mutually sharing fellowship community more secure than membership in a group only for the rich?
- In what way can this bond of mutual support be more dependable and lasting than hidden wealth?
- Why might sharing with others in a close-knit community be a particularly enjoyable way to give?