What is The Best sort of Wealth? 1 Timothy 6:18

You can be wealthy in many ways, but what way is best?

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:18

These instructions were given to the people who were rich in the world's goods.

They were to do good.
This is an action not an intention. The wealthy were to live lives of nobility toward others. They were not just to be wealthy they were to take advantage of wealth to do good. This requires activity and commitment.

Be rich in good deeds.
The common man has opportunities to do good deeds but the wealthy may have much more opportunity because of the material blessings they have received. They should take advantage of the many opportunities that wealth provides to do good.

Be generous.
God has given us blessings so we can be blessings. God gives us the wealth of this world so we may administer it on his behalf.

Be willing to share.
A willing person has a sincere heart attitude. To this person giving is not a duty but a pleasure.

The Bible explains all this in the next verse: "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." Material wealth is only for this world. The good we do will become a greater wealth in the next.

To read all of 1 Timothy 6 follow this link Bible Study Tools.

Does The Bible Have Commands For Wealthy People?

Does the Bible have anything to say to the rich?  Does it give negative commands to give all our money away or does it say something else?

The Apostle Paul wrote:
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,  but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17, NIV.

AN OBSERVATION
The phrase, "Rich in this present world," suggests that wealth is limited to the time and space of this present world. Wealth seems to be a phenomenon of this life and is not a concern in heaven.

ARROGANT
An arrogant person may think they are better than others. The wealthy are not to think they are more privileged than those who are not. The Bible consistently admonishes us to be humble, not seeing ourselves as better than others.

HOPE
We are not to put our hope in wealth. Do not think that money assures pleasure, comfort, love, peace, freedom from want or deliverance from need. Money is no guarantee of any of these things.

UNCERTAIN
Money is uncertain. The markets may crash, there may be a run on the bank or there may be economic collapse. The treasure hidden may be stolen or the value deflates.

PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD
Do not hope in riches but in the giver of riches- in God. The things we fear are under his control. Poverty, need and security are things He is able to take care. We need to put a dynamic active hope in Him. We hope by choosing to hope in Him and not choosing to hope in temporary wealth.

GOD RICHLY PROVIDES
The wealth of Our Heavenly Father is capable of providing what we need. He can provide abundantly more than enough if we just hope in him. The Lord is not stingy, he provides and we may enjoy what he provides.

SUMMERY
The Scriptures does not condemn wealth: it says to not trust in wealth but trust in The Lord.

(c) Adron 2013

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 Adron