“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; 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” (I Timothy 6:17-19).
The Apostle Paul’s
admonition to his protégé Timothy clearly indicates that God blesses some
believers with wealth for the purpose of their being a blessing to others.
Certainly, these
brothers and sisters in Christ face temptations that most other Christians do
not experience. How easy it is to
“trust in uncertain riches” rather than “the living God, whose giveth us richly
all things to enjoy.” However, the
Holy Spirit can lead and enable believers with means to worship the Source
rather than the supply.
Subsequently, they recognize God’s material blessing as opportunity for
glorifying the Lord Jesus by being always “ready to distribute.”
Whether we possess one
glimmering penny or many, our Heavenly Father calls us to recognize the truth
that all we are and all we have belongs to Him. “Ye are not your own” (I Corinthians
6:19). No greater peace descends
upon us than this recognition of stewardship regarding our possessions and
ourselves. If God blesses us with
wealth, we see it as opportunity to serve Him with a heart generous toward the
glory of the Lord Jesus and the blessing of others. If He blesses us with “the widow’s
mite,” as it were, we see it as opportunity for the same. All belongs to our Master. We belong to Him. May He grant much grace to rejoice in
“the unsearchable riches of Christ” whereby our hearts are filled regardless of
whether our hands hold much or little.
“I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know
how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and
to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:11-13)
“Whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God.”
(I Corinthians 10:31)
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