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TIMOTHY 6:17-21
RIGHTEOUS
WITH RICHES,
ETERNAL
REWARDS
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Timothy 6:17 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;
Susie: Paul
does not condemn those who are rich in earthly goods. However, he gives Timothy
instructions to pass on to them.
Susan: The
rich should not think of themselves as above others just because they are in a
higher financial bracket.
Susie: They
should not be proud but rather humbly thank God for His blessings.
Susan: This
does not just apply to those that have more money than others. Those who a
spiritually mature should not have an attitude of “Lording it over” others but
should be willing to serve.
Mark
9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man
desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Susie: Basically,
Christians should not have an attitude of superiority toward their brothers and
sisters in the Lord.
Susan: The
wealthy should not put their faith and trust in riches of this life which are
temporal. Instead they should put their hope in riches of eternal value, number
one being salvation by trusting the Lord Jesus.
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Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the
fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide
which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work
shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as
by fire.
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Timothy 6:18 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.
Susie: Paul
encourages the rich to use what God has given them to bless others, to be
generous in both good deeds and sharing with others. Nowhere does he say they
must give up everything they own, only that they should share generously.
Susan: The
rich, and all believers, need to realize, focus on, and trust in those things
which are of eternal significance.
Susie: They
must invest their time, energy, and money in what really matters—the kingdom
and people of God.
The
MacArthur Study Bible notes:
Those
who make eternal investments will be content to receive their dividends in
heaven.
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Timothy 6:20-21 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. Grace5485 be with
thee. Amen.
Susan: Timothy
was to keep or guard the truth, the scripture, the revelation from God, the
authentic message. He was to make sure his connection, his relationship with
the Lord, the source of all truth, was solid. His bond with the Lord should be
so strong it could not be severed or unraveled by false teaching. He was to
make sure his teaching was built on the true foundation of Jesus.
Susie: He was
to avoid those who taught they had some type of “superior knowledge” beyond the
gospel message. Those false teachers were leading people astray. Timothy was to
consistently lead people back to the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus by
the grace of God alone.
Susan: Paul
ends his letter with the words, “Grace5485 be with you.” According
to Strong’s, grace is “the divine
influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.”
Susie: That
is our benediction to you as well: May the Lord’s influence be upon your heart
and reflected in your life!
QUESTIONS
1. What
instructions should wealthy Christians follow?
2. Where
should we be building treasure? How do we do that?
3. What
was entrusted to Timothy that he was to guard?
4. What
definition of “grace” was given in this less?
5. What
other definitions or explanations of God’s grace have you learned?
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