DIGGING DEEP NO. 1132 April 21, 2026
1 TIMOTHY (PART 10)
THE RICH
1Tim.6: 17- 19.
Paul had already written about the danger of the love of money, but he added a special charge for Timothy to give to the rich. We may not think that this charge applies to us, but it does.
Be humble – 1Tim.6: 17. If wealth makes a person proud, then he understands neither himself nor His wealth Deut.8: 18. We are not owners; we are stewards. If we have wealth, it is by the goodness of God and not because of any special merits on our part. The possessing of material wealth ought to humble a person and cause him to glorify God, not himself.
It is possible to be rich in this world (age) 1Tim.6: 17) and be poor in the next. It is also possible to be poor in this world and rich in the next Lk.16: 19- 31. But a believer can be rich in this world and also be rich in the next if he uses what he has to honor God Matt.6: 19- 34. In fact, a person who is poor in this world can use even his limited means to glorify God, and discover great reward in the next world.
Trust God, not wealth – 1Tim.6: 17. The rich farmer in our Lord’s parable Lk.12: 13- 21, thought that his wealth meant security, when really it was evidence of insecurity. He was not really trusting God. Riches are uncertain, not only in their value (which changes constantly), but also in their durability. Thieves can steal wealth, investments can drop in value, and the ravages of time can ruin houses and cars. If God gives us wealth, we should trust Him, the Giver, and not the gifts.
Enjoy what God gives you – 1Tim.6: 17. Yes, the word enjoy is in the Bible! In fact, one of the recurring themes in Ecclesiastes is “Enjoy the blessings of life now, because life will end one day.” Eccle.2: 24; 3: 12, 5: 18- 20; 9: 7- 10. This is not living for the pleasures of life. It is simply enjoying all that God gives us for His glory.
Employ what God gives you – 1Tim.6: 18- 19. We should use our wealth to do good to others; we should share; we should put our money to work. When we do, we enrich ourselves spiritually, and we make investments for the future. “That they may lay hold on eternal life” 1Tim.6: 19 does not suggest that these people are not saved. “That they may lay hold on the life that is real” would express it perfectly. Riches can lure a person into a make-believe world of shallow pleasure. But riches plus God’s will can introduce a person to life that is real and ministry that is lasting.
In Conclusion – Paul’s final sentence was not for Timothy alone, because the pronoun is plural: Grace be with all of you.” Paul had the entire church in mind when he wrote this letter, and certainly all of the elders, not just Timothy. As leader of the church, Timothy needed to heed the word of the apostle, but all of his church members had a responsibility to hear and obey as well. And so do we today.