Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000
CHAPTER 31
THERE IS A SURE THING!
You might want to read I Timothy 6.17-19.
This is supposedly a true story, though I don't know the family personally.
Aunt "Emma" was married to a tightwad who was also a little strange. He made a good salary, but they lived frugally because he insisted on putting 20 percent of his paycheck under the mattress. (The man didn't trust banks.) The money, he said, was going to come in handy in their old age.
When "Uncle Ollie" was 60, he was stricken with cancer. Toward the end, he made Aunt Em promise, in the presence of his brothers, that she would put the money he had stashed away in his coffin so he could buy his way into heaven if he had to.
They all knew he was a little odd, but this was clearly a crazy request. Aunt Em did promise, however, and assured Uncle Ollie's brothers that she was a woman of her word and would do as he asked.
The following morning she took the money (about $26,000) to the bank and deposited it. She then wrote a check and put it in the casket four days later.
When preparing this study I tried to think of a rich Christian person that lived this life. Actually I thought of several that trusted God, but only a few that were rich in good works and none that were ready to distribute or willing to communicate.
I assume that the last two items might be done on a personal and private basis and these works might not be known to the public.
However!
I know a number of unsaved people that don't know God, but follow His principles. They have some sense of a higher power and realize their riches are because of their being blessed by a higher power. A couple come to mind - now I realize these folks are not believers but they give and use their riches as if they knew this passage. Paul Neuman has given millions away over the years. He has companies which turn all profits over to charity. Oprah Winfrey also contributes liberally.
I used to know a rich man personally that also was constantly giving of his blessings. He was my employer in Denver years ago. He would give me car loads of stereos and televisions that did not work so that I could fix them, sell them and make a little money on the side. When he found we were having our last son he offered us a crib and baby clothing. When our car broke down he loaned us one of the company trucks. He worked with me on my schedule so that I could continue in college. He instituted a profit-sharing program for the employees. I told him I would not be there for more than a year so didn't need to sign it - he told me to sign it anyway - just in case. As it turned out I was there several years and when we moved it resulted in a couple thousand dollars for us to resettle with.
He was most kind to his workers. One time the tube company he purchased television tubes from had a special - buy so many tubes and get a free battery operated soldering iron. He liked the soldering iron and ordered enough tubes so that everyone in the shop - about eight of us - could have a free soldering iron. We had tubes stored all over the place for weeks.
We will look at TRUST IN GOD in verse seventeen, GIVE TO GOD in verse eighteen, and BUILD FOR GOD in verse nineteen.
It is of interest to me that many in the lost world live their lives as if they knew this portion of Scripture.
I. TRUST IN GOD
Verse 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
The thought of high-mindedness reminds me of a small farming community in mid Nebraska. The community was poor but close knit and friendly. In the fifties a large corporation built a factory in town. The coming of this boon to town, made many of the townsfolks became quite rich.
It was easy for newcomers to town to notice the snobbery and unkindness of many of the towns folks. It was not a pleasant town to live in if you were an outsider. The riches had changed the people drastically.
The term high-minded is used in Rom. 11.20-21. "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee."
High-minded seems possibly to speak to pride and self assurance. Don't be rich and proud and don't be rich and confident in self.
Barnes said "The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they are any better men, or any nearer heaven, because they are wealthy. Property really makes no distinction in the great things that pertain to character and salvation. It does not necessarily make one wise, or learned, or great, or good. In all these things the man who has not wealth may be vastly the superior of him who has; and for so slight and unimportant a distinction as gold can confer, no man should be proud."
What a contrast - trust in uncertain riches or trust in the living God! No contest in any thinking persons mind! However, since Paul made the statement there must be some that have a problem in that area.
I think the most profound illustration of this business of riches being uncertain, is to be seen in Bill Gates the head of Microsoft. In the early part of 2000 when the stock market took its little stumbles, Bill Gates literally lost Billions of dollars in one day. THAT IS UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES!
Paul returns to his previous thought. Charge them - the rich in the world that they have a duty before God to use His riches that He has given them to do good with the material blessings.
Not only do good with their riches, but don't get a big head about the riches, nor their good works, AND certainly don't trust in those riches.
Some might get the idea that the rich are really getting it here, but the poor ought to be very careful as they can be high-minded of their poorness and need to be on guard as well.
(See also James 5.1-3; Prov. 23.4,5; Matt. 6.19,20)
"Giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" Enjoy it. That which He gives - don't feel guilty about having things. Enjoy them, use them and share them!
This thought of enjoy is of interest. There have been times that I have not enjoyed things that God has given, but rather felt guilty about.
We at one time while in Bible college needed a car. We had eight hundred dollars and no more. We took a bus to a car lot and looked at the total junk that they offered for that price. As we were leaving the lot we stopped to admire a very nice looking Plymouth Sport Fury convertible. We were dreaming about what it would be like to own something like that. The salesman came up to us and asked if we would be interested in the car. I laughed and told him all we had was the eight hundred. He said he would speak to his boss. He returned and offered the car to us for the money we had. It was November and they knew they wouldn't sell the car over the winter and did not want it in their inventory so were offering it to us.
We drove it home hardly believing that God had given us this fabulous car for so little. The problem came when we would have missionaries over for lunch and have to explain how poor Bible college students could afford a Sport Fury.
Many were blessed as we always were quick to share the account of what God had done.
II. GIVE TO GOD
Verse 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
There is a man in Indiana that started in construction. He trusted God and served Him to the best of his ability. God started moving the man up in riches and the man remained as he had been - rich in good works. Ultimately the Lord allowed this man to be the financing behind a large Christian college.
In short if you see a need, fill it. Actually the rich are to be taught to do this, but we can do the same thing in whatever situation we are in. We were in very meager financial shape when a missionary and his wife came to the church where we attended. The wife was carrying an old tattered Bible. The replacement cardboard cover was held in place with masking tape. We had just purchased some Bibles that were only $5. apiece. We really stretched the budget to buy them, but knew the kids needed them and we had two extra. We invited the folks to lunch and gave her a Bible - nothing the rich can do that we can't do - they can just do it in a much bigger way.
Being rich in good works in this context is aimed at the rich, but it is a good principle for all to live by. We should all be rich in good works.
There are four items of concern in this verse.
1. "do good" This is not an option, if you are rich you should do good. This is the reasonable service with what God has given.
2. "be rich in good works" To be rich in good works has a double meaning. Be rich or liberal in the amount of your good works, and also you will be rich in reward and blessing as you involve yourself in good works.
3. "ready to distribute" You don't have to wait with baited breath, but be ready - when opportunity knocks answer the door with your check book open.
4. "willing to communicate" The thought of this word has a double meaning. It relates to willing to socialize as well as distribute of your belongings according to Thayer.
Barnes and Clarke both indicate this is a giving of material items/money to make the others comfortable with the rich. I would assume this might relate to the rich mans giving to the church as well as possibly giving to a poor man's needs. Both would bring the aspect of fellowship automatically. Being willing to be a part of the church - not set apart.
Now, to the question that is hanging over us - how much must I have to be rich? If I am worth half a million am I rich or must I have a million - well I think we get the picture. Give as God has prospered you is the principle.
The Word does not suggest a level of wealth, indeed, the level will vary from time to time.
I recently (in 2000) saw a news report of a grandfather that thought he had the world by the tail when he took a job in the 50's that would progress to the point where he might earn $10,000 a year. The report was comparing the grandfather with his graduating grandson that was receiving $10,000 in sign up bonuses for his $40,000 a year job.
I think we all can go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help us determine if we are rich or not. I personally feel rich at times and try to give accordingly even though we are mid to low income. In the past when we were solidly rooted in the low income area, God still allowed us opportunity to share with others in need.
III. BUILD FOR GOD
"Laying up in store" -- ALL RIGHT the Christmas lay away plan at Target is Biblical! Well not quite!
Verse 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Lay up a good foundation in the time to come. I am reminded of the passage in the Gospel when the Lord said, (Matt. 6.19-21) "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Using the Lord's material blessings wisely is the prudent thing to do not only for the rich, but for all of us.
That they may lay hold on eternal life is misconstrued to indicate we have to do good works to keep our salvation sure. Now, if you want to work like mad because you fear God withdrawing His free gift then go for it - you will certainly do many great things for Him, but this passage does not teach this. Works are a thing to be done because of our love for Him and His creation, not out of fear of not making it to heaven.
The thought to me seems to be that the rich man is to do good works so that he will be laying reward for himself in heaven so that he can really enjoy the eternal life that is yet to come. The American Standard Version indicates this when it translates the verse as follows: "laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is [life] indeed" Robertson's Word pictures mentions: "This life is merely the shadow of the eternal reality to come."
There is absolutely no investment on earth that will give a better return on your money than to use your funds for good works - God will bless you more than you can earn on the most prime of investments!
So, why don't more Christians invest more in eternal matters? I personally believe it is the fact that most of us are totally self-centered. We are into doing for ourselves, so doing for God or others doesn't fit our mind set.
There is one aspect of maturing in the human that may be at play. When a child is offered a quarter now or a dollar tomorrow they will always take the quarter now - until at some point they mature and realize the dollar delayed is best.
Today we have a society of "we want it now" people that are totally disinterested in the future.
They aren't called the "NOW" generation for nothing.
Robertson also mentions a paradox in this verse - "'laying up in store' by giving it away" A truth to consider very carefully.
I trust that all of us are living this passage, and I especially trust that all that are or will be rich will give special attention to the admonitions of this passage.
Some other references relating to riches:
Prov. 13.1-11 cf. Rev 3.17
Eccles. 5.8-17
Luke 16.19-21
Psalm 112
II Kings 4.8-17
Luke 12.16-21
Luke 18-18-25
Prov. 11.28
Prov. 23.4
Prov. 23.5
Prov. 27.24
Prov. 13.22
Psalm 49.16,17