1 Timothy 6:17-19
“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, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Wealth holding is short-term. What we hold, we hold only “in this present world.” More literally, we hold it only “in the now time”51 or “at this opportune moment.”52 Wealth holding is temporary. Wealth enjoyment need not be.
When we use wealth correctly, looking back on its impact is enjoyable. We can enjoy having used it to accomplish good. We can enjoy having used it to be rich in beautiful, good works. We can enjoy having been a good sharer who built up the fellowship community.
This kind of enjoyment is lasting. It’s enjoyable not only for the moment but also for the future. Joyful wealth management creates lasting enjoyment. Bad wealth management doesn’t. In fact, it does the opposite. It leads to regret.
For the bingeing bad steward, regret happens quickly. Bingeing and wild living soon end poorly. For the burying bad steward, the regret is often later but also greater. These people never enjoy their wealth. They simply bury it and die with it. Their opportunity is lost. The ultimate use of the wealth rarely matches their values or beliefs. Often, the unused wealth leads to family fights. These results are painful to look back on.
- Why might using wealth to binge on excess consumption not be enjoyable to look back on years from now?
- Suppose you’re in charge of your wealth. You just bury it and die with it. Others then use it in a way that contradicts your values and beliefs. Whose fault is that? Who was in charge of your wealth? Would that result be enjoyable to look back on?
Holding wealth can feel secure. It can feel permanent. Both practical reality and Scripture show us that’s a false feeling. Wealth holding is uncertain. It’s disappearing. It’s guaranteed to end. Often, it ends without warning. Wealth holding can’t last. But some things do last even when the wealth disappears.
Suppose one person used their wealth
To accomplish good,
To be rich in beautiful, good works, and
To build up their fellowship community.
Suppose another person never used their wealth
To accomplish good,
To be rich in beautiful, good works, or
To build up their fellowship community.
Then inevitably, due to misfortune or death, wealth holding ends for both of them.
- What lasting reputation would remain for each person?
- What could each report to God about their use of the temporary wealth He provided?
- In what way did the first person diversify their portfolio to be rich in more ways?
- Which person likely got more enjoyment from their wealth?
In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, wealth enjoyment is not just a fleeting experience. It lasts. We can use wealth in a way that is enjoyable to look back on in 2 years, 20 years, or even 200 years. Having created intrinsically good works is always enjoyable to look back on. Having become rich in beautifully good works is also enjoyable to look back on. Having lived the life of a joyful, abounding, good sharer is enjoyable to look back on, too. Having built up our fellowship community is likewise enjoyable to look back on.
- When you look back 200 years from now, are there any ministries or causes where you would like to have made a lasting impact? How do they connect with your life story?
- The most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid.”53 How might we use wealth differently if we trusted in our richly providing God?
- Suppose God personally gave you permission to use your wealth right now to make an impact that matched your values. What would that look like for you? What instruments or organizations might you choose to use to make this impact?