A Charge to the Rich

1 Timothy 6:17-19

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.[1]

Once there was a street vendor who sold hot dogs—the best hot dogs in town. Because he was hard of hearing, he didn't have a radio; because he had trouble with his eyes, he didn't read a newspaper or watch much television. But he sold delicious hot dogs.

He started with a few signs on the highway advertising his hot dogs. Every day he was at his favourite corner crying, “Hot dogs; get your hot dogs here!”

Soon the word was out about his great hot dogs. He increased his meat and bun orders. He bought a bigger grill. And he sold lots of hot dogs.

One day his son was home from university and decided to help out.

He said, “Dad, haven't you been listening to the radio? Haven't you been reading the newspapers? These are tough times. There's a recession on. The stock market is collapsing. The dollar is falling. Nobody's buying hot dogs any more.”

The father thought to himself: “My son's been to university; he reads the newspapers and listens to the radio, so he ought to know.”

So, the hot dog vendor cut back his meat and bun orders, took down his few highway signs, and no longer went out with his hot dog cart.

His sales fell overnight. “You're right, son” the depressed hot dog vendor said. “I had no idea times were so hard. We are certainly in the middle of a big recession.”

Qoheleth, the Preacher, has cautioned:

he who observes the wind will not sow,

and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

[Ecclesiastes 11:4]

If we try to time our service to when it is convenient or when the time is propitious, we are living for the moment and we have ceased living in the light of eternity. Churches that wait until the time is “right” to evangelise will never grow or advance the cause of Christ. Christians that wait until they are “ready” to witness to lost friends and family members will never bring them to faith. Likewise, if we wait until we have enough money to support the cause of Christ, we will never invest in His glorious cause and the church will become stagnant and grow senescent.

We must not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the temporary. I am not pleading for us to become ecclesiastical Pollyanna’s with a perpetually rosy outlook, but I am warning against becoming so focused on the moment that we miss the future.

In the text, Paul instructs Timothy to charge rich Christians to soberly assess what they have and who they are. Modern Christians increasingly attempt to find their identity in what is possessed, instead of discovering worth in who they are in Christ Jesus. Regardless of what we profess, what we value is evident through our investment.

The Dangers Associated with Wealth — Charge [rich Christians] not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches. The Apostle first addressed those who do not have wealth, but long for it. He cautioned them not to let their desire for wealth rule them [1 Timothy 6:9]. Now, he focuses attention on those who actually possessed wealth. Wealth is a relative term, and we in our contemporary western society would certainly qualify as rich in comparison to the Ephesians whom Timothy was then serving. Two grave dangers are specifically identified for those who have wealth—becoming haughty, and setting their hopes on riches. The two dangers merit a closer look, especially since we are not immune to the dangers presented in this apostolic admonition.

Wealth tempts us to become arrogant. The Greek term translated into English by the phrase, to be haughty, could easily be translated by the phrase, “don’t regard yourself as better than another.”[2] The arrogance in view is that which deceives us into thinking that worth is attached to what we have. When we fall into this trap, we begin to look down on others. When we are haughty, we justify our attitude through imagining that we deserve what we have and that we perhaps have a special standing in the eyes of God.

This dark, dangerous attitude leads the people of God to segregate fellow Christians, categorising one another and assigning worth according to an artificial standard of our own making instead of accepting one another because of what Christ has done for us. Instead of rejoicing in the salvation of fellow believers, we isolate one another in order to ensure that we associate with the right people, worthy of our presence. Soon, we fall under the condemnation James pronounced.

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts [James 2:1-4]?

The Puritan Cotton Mather, alarmed by the trend toward materialism in New England society, made this statement in his famous book Magnalia Christi Americana: “Religion begat prosperity and the daughter devoured the mother.”[3] Mather was noting a common effect of Christianity. Genuine conversion to Christ changes people’s lives. Bad habits are set aside when people are born from above, and they become better workers and better managers of what they possess as they live godly lives. Tragically, in many instances, the new prosperity and material wealth devour the very Christianity that gave them wealth, especially in the second and third generations!

This ubiquitous tendency is the basis for a warning God issued through Moses. Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.” You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day [Deuteronomy 8:11-18].

Ezekiel exposes the downfall of the Wicked One, condemning through censuring the Prince of Tyre. Ezekiel states, your heart has become proud in your wealth [Ezekiel 28:5b]. It is significant that the Prince of Tyre was corrupted through his wealth. He trusted in what he had, instead of trusting in the One who gives all things richly to mankind. He found worth in what he had, instead of finding worth in who he was. Consequently, he earned divine condemnation, thus serving as a picture of the corruption of Lucifer that led to his fall as the Guardian Cherub.

The other danger to us who have wealth is that we begin to trust in our wealth. Instead of rejoicing in the Giver, we begin to rejoice in the gift. We begin to trust what we have, instead of trusting Him who gives richly to all mankind. Perhaps you will recall a parable Jesus told about a rich fool. The story is related in Luke 12:13-21.

Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Money is not evil; money is only a tool. However, as is true of any tool, money can be misused with disastrous results. Not only can we hurt others through misusing wealth, but we can destroy our own souls when we imagine that we deserve what we have or believe that our worth is defined by what we possess.

I am compelled to point out the obvious and caution against overreaction. Paul does not direct the rich to divest themselves of their riches. God does not condemn riches; He warns against finding one’s worth in riches, or in depending upon wealth. Undoubtedly, materialism—the acquisition of things as the greatest good—is condemned in the Word of God. However, we are not to exchange materialism for asceticism.

It is one thing to associate with the poor or adopt a simple lifestyle because we seek to identify with the impoverished in their poverty; it is quite another thing to imagine that we honour God solely because we happen to adopt a simple lifestyle. We honour God through accepting what He gives into our hands, rejoicing in His goodness and wisely employing whatever He has entrusted to our oversight.

The two dangers to which the rich are exposed are a false pride and a false security. We must guard against looking down on those who have less than we do; and we must watch out that we do not begin to trust in the gift instead of the Giver. Let me turn this cautionary note to a positive index to assist in building us to the glory of God.

Be humble. If we become proud because of what we possess, we understand neither wealth nor our own hearts. We are not owners; we are administrators—stewards. If you have wealth, it is the goodness of God, and not because of any special merit on your part. Perhaps you received an inheritance, but you really did nothing to merit that. Perhaps by the strength of your arms or the labour of your mind you have acquired wealth; but God graciously gave you strength and ability. Give Him praise for what He has committed to you.

Trust God, not what you have. Riches are uncertain, not only in their value that is constantly changing, but also in their durability. Many people have gone to bed wealthy, only to awaken impoverished. Thieves can steal. Investments can drop drastically. The second law of thermodynamics ensures that houses, cars, fine clothing, all alike tend toward ruin and decay. If God entrusts wealth to our care, we should trust Him and not depend upon what He has given.

Enjoy what God gives. Did you notice the final admonition of verse seventeen? We are urged to set our hope … on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. A neglected theme of the Word of God is to enjoy the blessings of life now, because life will end one day. This is not a call to hedonism—living for the pleasures of life alone. Rather, it is a call to enjoy all that God entrusts us for His glory, rejoicing in Him alone.

Warren Wiersbe makes the sage observation that “it possible to be ‘rich in the world [age]’ (1 Timothy 6:17) and be poor in the next. It is also possible to be poor in this world and rich in the next. Jesus talked about both (Luke 16:19–31). But a believer can be rich in this world and also rich in the next if he uses what he has to honour God (Matthew 6:19–34). In fact, a person who is poor in this world can use even his limited means to glorify God, and discover great reward in the next world.”[4]

The Responsibility Imposed by Wealth — Charge [rich Christians] … to set their hopes … on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. [Christians who have wealth] are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. There are six imperatives urged on those who are rich, and in light of the conditions throughout our world, that includes each of us hearing this message. We who are rich are to (1) set our hopes on God, (2) do good, (3) to be rich in good works, (4) to be generous, (5) to be ready to share, and (6) to take hold of that which is truly life. Underscore in your mind that in comparison to the world about us, we are the rich. By the standards of those to whom Paul wrote, we are the rich.

Everything that Paul will say concerning the responsibility wealth imposes on us begins with the need to set our hopes on God. I do not doubt that each of us has an idea of what is meant by this phrase; but I am equally confident that there is fuzziness in our understanding of the phrase. Of course, each of us who are Christians would say that we have set our hopes on God. By this, we mean that we look to Him for salvation, as well as depending upon Him for the mercy and grace that attend that blessed state.

However, the concern Paul addresses is the tendency for each of us to depend upon what we have instead of depending upon God who entrusts to us all that we hold. All of life conspires to convince us that we must create our own security. We must have an RSP or we will not be able to provide for our retirement. We must have life insurance policies adequate to provide for our family in the eventuality of our death, or they may be left destitute. We must have medical and dental insurance, or we will find ourselves in financial distress and be unable to attend to our health needs. We must have a savings account sufficient to provide for us in times of unexpected pressure.

I am not suggesting that these things are bad, but they must not supplant trust in God. We must guard ourselves against erring by trusting in what we have; our security does not consist of insurance nor will it be found in savings. Rather, our security is God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. God is the rich provider of all that we need. There is no limit to His generosity.

Perhaps it would be beneficial to recall God’s incalculable wealth as described by the Psalmist.

For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know all the birds of the hills,

and all that moves in the field is mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for the world and its fullness are mine.

[Psalm 50:10-12]

God is not stingy; He richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Perhaps you will recall a message I preached some months ago. It was entitled “God’s Unexpected Gifts,” and the text was Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 [http://www.pris.bc.ca/firstbaptistdc/sermonmar26-2006.html]? That passage of the Word reads as follows. Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

The evidence that we have set our hopes on God will be revealed through five actions that characterise godly people. Paul details those anticipated actions in the remainder of the text. The first evident fact that we are maturing is that we do good. This means simply that we are to do what is inherently, intrinsically and qualitatively good. We are to do what is excellent and noble, not what is superficially nice. Those who are rich are to use their lives and their wealth to do genuinely good and noble work.

Surely we agree that we are responsible to invest in that which honours God. To make such a statement is but an iteration of the words of the Master. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also [Matthew 6:19-21].

A wise administrator of God’s grace will also be rich in good works. The concept Paul presents is that we are to abundantly bless others. The Word teaches us that material wealth is to be used to perform good deeds on behalf of others. The Word of God instructs us that we must provide for our own family [1 Timothy 5:8] and also be considerate of the vulnerable, especially widows and orphans [e.g. 1 Timothy 5:3. 4]. We are also to be generous toward those who labour in the Word, especially leaders of the church [e.g. 1 Timothy 5:17]. We must also accept responsibility to be generous toward any believer in need, as seen in the example provided by the early church [Acts 4:34, 35].

A believer may be materially wealthy and spiritually poor. Conversely, a Christian may be economically impoverished, and yet be a spiritual plutocrat. Consider two churches from the Book of the Apocalypse. Smyrna was marked by deep fiscal poverty; yet, God said they were rich [Revelation 2:9]. On the other hand, the Church of Laodicea was affluent, though they were spiritually bankrupt [Revelation 3:17]. To lay up treasure for yourself and fail to be rich toward God is to be characterised as a fool [Luke 12:16-21].

The mature Christian is also to be generous. We are not to stop at meeting the minimum requirements for existence when we are doing good or providing for the needs of others; we are to be bountiful. We are to have a generous, unselfish heart that reflects the generosity we received in the grace of God. Paul commended the Macedonians because they gave sacrificially from an open and unrestrained heart [2 Corinthians 8:1-4]. In the same way, the rich are responsible to be generous.

The word translated generous is a compound word that means to “give well.” If we will “give well,” our giving must be willing, generous and thoughtful. Also, we must give joyfully and out of genuine concern for others [2 Corinthians 8:11, 12; 9:6, 7].

We who are rich are also responsible to be ready to share. The Greek word that is translated into English by the phrase ready to share is the word koinonikós. It sounds something like koinonía, which is usually translated “fellowship.” The reason the two words sound similar is that they are related. Giving is not to be done in a cold, calculating manner. Rather, generosity is to reveal mutual concern and care that grows out of our common life as believers. An example of the concern expected of us is found in Galatians 6:6 where those who are taught in the Word are commanded to share with those who teach. Another example of such readiness to share is provided in the generosity of the Philippians when they shared with Paul as he ministered in Thessalonica [Philippians 4:14-16].

Rich Christians—I remind you that this designation includes each of us—are to take hold of that which is truly life. We are to live in the light of eternity, instead of living only for time. What we possess is to be used for the eternal welfare of souls and for the glory of God. Christians should invest their money in the salvation of the lost. This is the foundation for Jesus’ admonition to make friends for yourselves of unrighteous wealth [Luke 16:9]. When we live for eternity, we are better able to enjoy the reality of the life we possess now.

It is a question of perspective and proportion. Which is more valuable? Is it to be rich in this age or in the age to come? Is it to accumulate treasure on earth or in heaven? Is it to make a lot of money now, or to take hold of that which is truly life? If we live for the moment, we will accumulate all we can. If we live for eternity, we will win as many to faith as possible, and we will use what we have to accomplish that one great goal.

A Call to Accept the Burden of Wealth — [The rich in this present age must store] up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Let’s firmly establish two significant truths. First, we are rich. Though we may demure, murmuring that we can only barely pay our bills each month, we have more goods than our parents ever had and we spend more on entertainment, fashion accessories, and unnecessary dietary wants than any generation before us. Second, we spend far more on our own desires than on advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. With those truths established, let’s get somewhat personal about our stewardship.

When we assess our investments, do they mirror the confession we make concerning our love for the Saviour? The Word of God encourages generosity toward the vulnerable among us, and especially generosity toward the work of advancing the Kingdom of God. When April 30th rolls around each year, does your tax form demonstrate generosity toward the work of Christ? Is your generosity reaching or exceeding ten percent of your gross receipts?

Far too many of us misuse what God has entrusted to us, consuming His wealth on our own pleasure. What an indictment the brother of our Lord pronounces against us! You ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions [James 4:3b]. I pronounce this indictment because multiple studies reveal that the professed people of God do not even approach a level of giving consistent with their confession. A best-case scenario has Evangelical Christians giving less than three percent of their income to church-based ministries.[5] Though those figures are low, generosity continues to decline among Evangelical Christians, according to recent studies by the Barna Group.[6]

Disposable income has increased significantly during the past decade, and yet the percentage of charitable giving has decreased among Christians. We should ask what motivates people to give to church work. Terry Mattingly offers some disturbing insight into the motives for giving found among Evangelical Christians.[7] His assessment, likely correct, is that multiple motives unworthy of Christ mark giving within the church.

Some people donate in order to control the church. These people have a need to control, and they want a church when it comes time to “hatch, match and dispatch.” I was plagued with such a member in a previous church. When confronted with his attitude that sought to control the church, his rationale was that he gave and therefore deserved to rule.

Again, some people see offerings as payment for services provided. They see their giving as the way of securing visits and pastoral counselling in times of personal crisis. Pastors, and especially youth pastors, are “hired” to heal and to entertain disinterested sons and daughters. Perhaps such people are paying for the entertainment value provided through the music or through witty and well-presented sermons.

Others give in order to buy a culture. Such people see the church as a social club or the focus of an ethnic or political identity. Or, perhaps, they expect the church to meet their favourite cause, whether liberal or conservative, and they therefore give.

According to the Apostle, the only worthy motive for giving is to honour the Lord. Giving is a matter of faith, and through giving the child of God is storing up treasure … as a good foundation for the future. I trust that our motive for giving is the latter and not any of the former. I trust that there are none among us who are holding to unworthy reasons for giving. However, I am sufficiently grounded in the Word to know that we each struggle against the downward pull of our fallen condition. Therefore, we must constantly check our motive for service and bring ourselves into line with the Word.

Jesus encouraged a wealthy young man to sell what he possessed and give all to the poor. The encouragement was not that he must impoverish himself, but that his wealth had become an obstacle keeping him from following the Master. If he would rid himself of that which hindered him, he would have treasure in heaven and be able to follow the Master [Matthew 19:21]. Radical? It is all a matter of perspective. What is truly valuable to you?

The Apostle’s balance is apparent through reading this entire chapter. Against materialism, he sets simplicity of lifestyle. Against asceticism, he set gratitude for God’s creation. Against greed, he sets contentment with what we have. Against selfishness, generosity in imitation of God. Simplicity, gratitude, contentment and generosity constitute a healthy quadrilateral of Christian living.[8]

I suppose that Paul’s teaching can be summarised in one brief verse of Scripture. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have [Hebrews 13:5]. Whether we see ourselves as administrators of the grace of God, or whether we simply live for this present moment, determines how we handle the wealth God has entrusted to us. Either our faith dictates how we live, and especially how we handle the riches God has entrusted to our oversight, or what He has given us dictates our faith. The evidence is seen in the giving to advance His cause.

Contrary to the imagination of some supposed teachers of the Word, the Christian ethic does not teach that wealth is a sin. Rather, the Word of God imposes upon each one who has wealth a great responsibility. If our wealth ministers to nothing but our own pride and enriches no one but ourselves, those riches will become the source of our ruin because they will impoverish our soul. If, however, we use what God entrusts to our oversight to help and comfort others, and to advance the Kingdom of God and the cause of our Saviour, though the world may consider that we are growing poorer, we are really becoming richer. Both in time and in eternity, it is still more blessed to give than to receive [Acts 20:35].

Of course, if you are unsaved—if you have never placed faith in the Living Son of God and been born from above—there is little reason for you to give. In fact, I contend that if you are unsaved, you likely should spend whatever you have on your personal comfort now. How awful the words the rich man heard as he sought mercy after death! Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things [Luke 16:25]. I sincerely pray that you shall never hear those frightful words.

I also pray that you shall never hear those awful words that will be pronounced against sinners, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the fire prepared for the devil and his angels [Matthew 25:41]. There is a day coming when those who have not submitted to the Lord Christ will be compelled to appear before the Great White Throne where they will receive judgement before being eternally banished from His presence and the hope of ever knowing His mercy, His grace, or His goodness [see Revelation 20:11-16]. How frightful it will be for those whose lives betray the absence of life in the Beloved Son of God. Compelled to appear before that Great White Throne, all such shall be judged by what they have done; and their deeds will prove insufficient to satisfy God’s just demands.

It need not be thus, however, for even now the sinner can be redeemed. The heart can be changed and the soul saved. The Word of God is quite specific and quite clear in calling all who are willing to look to Christ as the Saviour of the soul. God promises that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved… That passage continues through citing the Prophet Joel who writes that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved [Romans 10:9, 10, 13].

And that is our plea for you if you are outside the precincts of grace. If you have never been born from above, believe this message of grace and mercy and receive the gift of life that is offered in Christ the Lord. For all who have faith in the Son of God, for all who have been born again and into the Family of God, yield to the Spirit that lives within and exercise wise stewardship of the grace of God. Your time and your talents, as well as the wealth that God has entrusted to you, are to be offered to Him for His glory and for the benefit of His people. Do it now. May God bless us each as we obey the Spirit. Amen.

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[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[2] See Johannes P. Pouw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (United Bible Societies, New York, NY 1989) 763-4

[3] Stephen Foster, Their Solitary Way: The Puritan Social Ethic in the First Century of Settlement in New England (Yale University Press, New Haven, CT 1958) 121, quoted in Leland Ryken, Worldly Saints (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI 1986) 63

[4] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2 (Victor Books, Wheaton, IL 1989) 238

[5] Julia Duin, “Tithing falls by the wayside: church giving has sunk well below the biblical standard of 10 percent,” Feb 18, 2002, (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_6_18/ai_83144712), accessed 30 August, 2006

[6] “Tithing Down 62% in the Past Year,” (http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=139), accessed 30 August, 2006

[7] Terry Mattingly, “The offering-plate rules,” (http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/2001/01/24/) accessed 30 August, 2006

[8] See John Stott, Guard the Truth: The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus (InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 1996) 162-3