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1 Timothy 6:17
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17 Charge [paraggello] them that are rich [plousios] in [en] this [nun] world, [aion] that they be [hupselophroneo] not [me] highminded, [hupselophroneo] nor [mede] trust [elpizo] in [epi] uncertain [adelotes] riches, [ploutos] but [alla] in [en] the living [zao] God, [theos] who [ho] giveth [parecho] us [hemin] richly [plousios] all things [pas] to [eis] enjoy; [apolausis] KJV-Interlinear
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. NASB
In the last two verses, Paul reminds us all, that there is only one ruler, one leader, one with power, ability and authority – and that person is not you. No person on this earth can make that claim.
That said, then Paul begins this verse with a reminder that all we have, comes from God. All that we have belongs to God. And consequently, all that we have makes us a steward of that which God has placed in our care.
To some this may amount to very little, or little more than the time that we have on our hands to do the things we do in life. Will we spend it on doctrine or on complaining, or on drugs, or on things of this world?
To some this may amount to great wealth. And again, do we spend our time on our possessions, titles, positions, etc, or on doctrine?
Do we keep that which has been placed in our care and presume that it is ours? Or, do we recognize that God has given us wealth or riches or prosperity or whatever, and therefore we should use and manage it wisely?
Paul has already pointed out that loving the things of this world will lead to devastating consequences.
Nowhere in the Bible are you ever commanded to get rid of your possessions in order to enhance your spiritual status. Spiritual growth comes from study and use of doctrine, not from anything you or any unbeliever can do.
Riches or wealth are not sins, but indeed are blessings. Where people fail regarding their possessions, is when they make their possessions more important than their spiritual life. Or they presume that their riches make them somehow better than others, however social, financial, political, or celebrityship do not make anyone better than those who lack such things.
At birth, all people are equal, and at death, all people are equal in the grave. Everything in between determines a persons obedience to the one who gives blessings. Unfortunately, most fail in this regard.
So, Paul reminds us all that our priority should be doctrine not things, our spiritual growth not worldly status, our relationship with God not people. And, we are to be responsible with that which God gives us, for we will be held accountable one day soon, when we have our face to face with Jesus, meeting.
In eternity, we will live in heaven, and there, will be the vast portion of our life. Wealth held then will be far more valuable than anything that this world has to offer. That should be obvious, because it will last forever.
All wealth from this world is temporary.
All wealth in eternity comes from God, who gives it richly, ‘plousios,’ which means abundantly. And abundantly means far more than you will ever be capable of possessing, and when tied to eternity, that means far more than you will ever be capable of calculating.
That is a lot.
Therefore, should you focus your attentions solely on worldly wealth and exclude your spiritual life, from your life? Or, should you appreciate whatever it is that you have, manage it to the best of your ability, and focus on your spiritual life, which is your investment in eternity and far greater wealth?
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