1Ti 6:17-21 “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; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
Strong’s gives the meaning of the word translated as charge to mean “to enjoin.” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of American English defines the word enjoin to mean “to direct with urgency.” There is an urgency in Paul’s letter to Timothy that affects our joy in our walk with Christ. I pray that we may still feel that urgency today.
Paul did not leave a charge here for those that are rich in worldly goods. His command was to those who are wealthy in their present state (in this world). I would ask that we examine ourselves this morning and see whether or not we are rich in our present state. Have we been blessed with abundant mercy, love, and grace in our lives?
Because of our Adam nature, we are not above becoming arrogant in our blessings. When we arrive at the meeting house and see several cars in the parking lot, do we thank God for drawing His children to His assembly or are we more concerned with the appearance it gives to those that pass by that we are prospering? Rather than truly being thankful for the walk God has blessed us with, we can become like the Pharisees. If we ever find ourselves thanking God that we are more faithful than other men, we may well have become arrogant (highminded) concerning our relationship with our Redeemer.
Certainly to trust in the goods of the world is to trust in uncertain riches. However, to put our trust in having a large congregation, in having a host of young people attending our service, or in having a wonderful song leader is also putting our trust in uncertain riches. There is only one place where we can safely put our trust and that is in the living God. When our trust is in Him, instead of being highminded we will find ourselves in humble submission to the perfect will of God.
God gives to us abundantly those things needed to live an abundant life. We are able, by His grace, to do good. It is our charge to abound in worthwhile toil in His kingdom. We are responsible to give liberally of the great riches that God blesses us with. It may be money, or it may be our time; it may be our efforts in prayer or giving a word of encouragement; the key is to acknowledge that we have received freely and so we should give freely.
Not only are others benefited by our liberality, but we lay a good base for our own lives. We are holding on to treasures that will help us in the time to come. Certainly, this cannot be talking about that place we refer to as Eternal Heaven. There is nothing that we will need in that blessed land that has not been secured by our Lord Jesus as determined by God our Father.
In laying in store a good foundation, we are prepared to meet whatever our future here may hold. We face this life knowing there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Even though we are still on this earth for a season, the life we live in Jesus Christ is eternal. There is great joy in being rich in the knowledge that he has given us this great gift.
I can here both the love and the urgency in Paul’s words: “keep that which is committed to thy trust.” God has committed to our trust the riches of His great grace and mercy. Surely, we should guard this sacred trust with all the integrity that the Holy Spirit will pour out upon us. To do so, we must hold fast to the faith we have been given.
We should always avoid fruitless discussions (vain babbling) that only gender wickedness (profane). There is no benefit to false knowledge that opposes the truth of God, and nothing to be gained by debating such things. While such false knowledge has caused some to abandon the faith, we should always put our trust first and foremost in God. Rather than engaging in endless debate, we should walk humbly in the certain riches of the Living God.
May God’s rich grace be with us that we never become arrogant, but always walk as servants of Jesus Christ!
