1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Rich in Good Works

Paul speaks, in these verses, about those who are wealthy in earthly things. The Apostle does not condemn earthly riches, but, rather, trusting in them. Timothy is to charge the rich not to be haughty (that is, to think more highly of themselves than of others), nor to set their hopes on earthly wealth. The good things of this world are, indeed, good. They are provided by our good Creator. However, they are fleeting. They will not last into the world to come. Yesterday we saw that those who have faith in Christ will receive everlasting life. II Corinthians 5:10 says we will appear at the judgment seat of Christ to answer for how we served Him in this life. I Corinthians 3:11-15 tells us that those who are in Christ can build upon the foundation of our salvation either with things that will last into the next world or with things that will not make it. Likewise, in Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus teaches that we should be more concerned with laying up treasures in heaven than with storing up treasures on earth. In today’s passage, Paul tells Timothy to remind the wealthy that they can lay up treasures in heaven by being rich in good works (as opposed to being rich merely in material wealth). Being generous and ready to share of the things with which God has blessed them is a means of serving Christ, so that Christians may be laying up treasurers that will not be destroyed with this world, but which will last into the world to come.

Questions
1. Is it wrong to be wealthy in earthly riches?
2. Is it wrong to set our hopes on earthly riches?
3. Why should we be more concerned to lay up treasures in heaven than on earth?

Prayer Points
1. Pray that we would be setting our hopes on God, alone.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.